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Rebecca Masterton,
Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been teaching for seventeen years through different media, and has also worked in media for ten years, producing and presenting programs for several TV channels. 83 Answers
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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi,
Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to religious questions. In the past, he has also spent significant time in India guiding the community. 1687 Answers
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In the early period, the word 'shi'a' was understood simply to mean 'follower'. Hence there were those known as the shi 'a of Mu'awiya, the shi'a of 'Uthman and the shi'a of 'Ali [as]. In the early period there was fierce debate as to who could be categorised as a Shi'a of 'Ali [as]. Sunnis who considered him superior to the first three khulafa were known as Shi'a of 'Ali. Due to propaganda and war, any such slight inclination towards Imam Ali [as] could mean being accused of being one his Shi'a. From the persepective of the Imams, their Shi'a were those that were utterly trustworthy, and intelligent enough to imbibe their teachings. People who simply loved the Imams were generally known as 'lovers and supporters' and were appreciated by the Imams, but could be of little use to them because of their lack of capacity to imbibe knowledge and be absolutely trustworthy. There is a narration of Imam al-Sadiq [as] that says '‘a simple profession of love for us (walayah) does not turn a person into a follower (shi‘a), rather those who profess love simply diminish the solitude of our followers.’ (Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 3)
1. Shia means the followers. In Quran Allah called the sincere followers of the Prophet Musa as his Shia (The person who was from his Shia seeked help from him against the person who was from his enemies) (فاستغاثه الذي هو من شيعته على الذي من عدوه) (Sura Al-Qasas, Verse 15.)
2. Allah in Quran called prophet Ebrahim as a Shia (sincere follower) of the prophet Noah. ( وان من شيعته لابراهيم )(And verily, among his Shia (followers) are Ebrahim). (Sura al-Saffaat, verse 83.)
3. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) called the sincere obedient Muslims as Shia of Ali and said that they will be the winners in the Day of Judgment.
( Tafseer al-Tabari, Vol 30, Page 146)
(Tafseer al-Dorr al-Manthoor by al-Soyooti 6/379) and many other Sunni books.
4. Shia Muslims are the sincere followers of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) who took his Sunnah and Tafseer of Quran from his holy Progeny Ahlul Bayt (AS) being he most authentic source.
Wassalam.