Sunni

Sunni Islam is the largest denomination of Islam, followed by the majority of the world's Muslims. Its name comes from the word sunnah, referring to the behaviour of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims arose from a disagreement over the succession to Muhammad and subsequently acquired broader political significance, as well as theological and juridical dimensions.

76451

Drawing . Animals . Soul . Sunni . Art

I used to love drawing and drew pictures of animals and people. I have since heard that it is forbidden to draw pictures of things that have a soul. As A Sunni Muslim, do I now have to destroy all the drawings of living things I have made in the past?

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... Answered 3 weeks ago

Muslim is not allowed to draw picture of beings with soul like human beings and animals.

If you draw part of the body, not the whole, many Ulama say that it will be permitted.

You need to either to change the drawings of the soul beings, or if it is not changeable, then get rid of it.

Wassalam.

74919

Sunni . Girl . Children . Marriage . Sunni-Shi'a

It is permissible not to have kids while being married to a Sunni girl so that the issue of the child being Shia or Sunni can be avoided?

Seyed Ali Shobayri, Seyed Ali Shobayri is of mixed Iranian and Scottish descent who found the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a) by his own research. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University through the... Answered 1 month ago

Bismaillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

It isn’t obligatory to have kids but it is highly recommend and encouraged in Islam. Usually the father has a strong influence on his children. so he should make sure that they are raised according to the teachings of the prophet Mohammed and his purified progeny (peace be upon them all).

The husband MUST ensure that his children will be raised to not praise the enemies of Ahlul bayt (as) which many Muslims unknowingly do. He should raise children who will disassociate from the oppressors of the imams (as).

It is good for him to also try and guide his wife in a way isn’t forcing her. If you both decide not to have children for the time being then that is entirely your choice.

May Allah grant you success

65509

Sunni-Shi'a . Sunni

How did the term Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah originate and why?

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) never allowed Muslims to divide in to groups or sects. Sects were formed long time after the Prophet (SAWA). Muslims were ordered by the Prophet to keep following Quran and Ahlul Bayt. Political reasons and wrong rulers caused many Muslims to be away from Ahlul Bayt (AS) and follow different sects.

Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan announced the year 41 after Hijra when he became the top ruler on Muslims after his treaty with Imam Hasan (AS) as the year of Jamaa'ah عام الجماعة .

He ordered all his appointed Shaikhs on pulpits and sermons to curse Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (AS). This evil habit continued for many generations till the rule of Omar Ibn Abdul Aziz who ordered to remove the curse. Many of Mo'awiyah followers did not like to leave cursing Ali and called it Sunnah and shouted demanding the continuation of the curse being part of the Sunnah. أين السنة؟ Where is the Sunnah?

The title of Ahl al-Sunnah was used by extreme Sunni Hanbali Muslims even during their fights with other Sunni sects like the dispute between followers Abu Hanifah and Ibn Hanbal. Abu Hanifah school was called Ahlul Ra'y ( people of opinion) by Hanbalis and other Sunni sects.

The term Ahlul Sunnah wal Jama'ah was used during Abbasid government for and by those Muslims who do not follow Ahlul Bayt (AS) even if the show love and respect to them, but follow other sects.

We have Hadeeths from Ahlul Bayt (SS) stating: By Allah, no one is following the real Sunnah and unity of the Ummah but we and our followers

والله ليس على السنة والجماعة أحدٍ الا ٫نحنوشيعتنا

Wassalam.

69059

Sunni . Mosque . Sunni-Shi'a . Salah (Prayers) . Jumu'ah

Can a Shia person join prayers, including Juma prayers, being conducted in a Sunni mosque? Can he pray according to their way?

It is highly recommended for every Shia Muslim to pray with Muslims from other sects in their congregational prayers, but we need to recite Sura Al-Hamd and other Sura for ourself. Such Salaah will be valid if it was performed inside the time not before it.
Jum'a prayers with non Shia Muslims is good but we need to recite Dhuhr Prayer as well.
Wassalam.

70303

Sunni . Sects . Sunni-Shi'a

When did Sunni and Shia sects come into existence?

Sunni sects are four:

1. Hanafi Sunnis who follow Abu Hanifa Ibn No'maan who was born on year 80 after Hijra, after 70 years of the passing away of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and died on 150 after Hijra.

2. Shafi'ee Sunnis who follow Mohammad Ibn Edrees al-Shafi'ee who was born on year 150 after Hijra and passed away on 204 after Hijra.

3. Maliki Sunnis who follow Malik Ibn Anas who was born in 93 Hijri and passed away on 179 Hijri in Madinah.

4. Hanbali Sunnis who follow Ahmad Ibn Hanbal who was born in 164 Hijri and passed away on 241 Hijri.

Shia follow Ahlul Bayt who are Imam Ali, Fatimah, Imam Hasan, Imam Husain who lived with the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). Then the 9 Imams from the kinship of Imam Husain (AS).
Shia is not a sect but a title which is used in Quran for the sincere followers ( Sura Al-Saffaat 83 and Sura Al-Qassas 15). The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) gave the title of Shia of Ali to the most pious of his companion and most obedient Muslims ( Tafseer Al-Tabari, V.30, P. 335) and Shawaahid al-Tanzeel by al-Hasakaani 2: 353 and Tafseer al-Dorr al- Manthour by Al-Soyouti 6:379.

Shia believe and follow the Prophetic order to all Muslims to keep following Quran and Ahlul Bayt (AS) to be andbremain on the Right Path. This Hadeeth is authentic and narrated in Saheeh Muslim 4425, and Tirmithi 3718 and 3720 and in many authentic Sunni books.

Shia follows the Prophetic Hadeeth that the successors of the Prophet will be twelve. (Saheeh al-Bukhari 6682, al-Tareekh al-Kabeer by Al-Bukhari 8:410), Saheeh Muslim 3393, 3394, 3395, 3396 and many other important Sunni books.

Shia believe that the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) `did not leave the Muslim Ummah unguided regarding the divine leaders of Muslims after him, but he clearly informed the Ummah and asked them to give allegiance to Imam Ali (AS) being the first successor of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

Shia Muslims follow the Prophetic Sunnah of the Prophet which is Been narrated by the most authentic source who are Ahlul Bayt (AS) and their pious followers.

The main difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims are in two issues: First : Who succeeds the Prophet in leading and guiding the Muslim Ummah?

Second: From where we should get the prophetic teachings ( Sunnah and Quranic meanings) after the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

Most of the tyrant governments like Bani Omayyah and Bani Abbas till today are against Shia Islam and played big role in defaming Shia Islam and spreading false propaganda against Shia.
Shia Muslims present evidence that they are following the original teachings of the Prophet (SAWA) not only from their books but also from the Sunni books and always call and practice dialogue.

You can find more details on this subject in many books written by ex Sunni scholars who reached to the reality of Shia Islam through scientific research like books of Dr Tijani and other scholars which can be seen in www.aqaid.com and www.al-Islam.org and many other websites.

Wassalam.

69009

Parents . Sunni . Marriage

I am 30 and my parents have rejected all the proposals I got till now for silly reasons. I now like a person but they have rejected him because he is Sunni. Should I get married without my parents' permission?

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alakyom, Please refer to the following answer:

https://www.al-islam.org/ask/is-it-sinful-for-a-girl-to-marry-without-the-permission-of-her-parents

Also it is not recommended for you to marry a person from the sect who refers to itself as Ahlus Sunnah unless you can make him Shia. It could also be haram if it would cause you misguidance too. It is better to marry a spouse who will raise any potential children on the love of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) and disassociation of their enemies. I have met many people of both mixed Shia-Sunni parents and in most cases, the children take after the father in the Sunni way or become confused.

In this case, your parents could be rejecting the person for the above reasons. And when you say 'you like' such a person, you must ask yourself what this is based on? Is it due to over stepping the Islamic boundaries such as how he looks, or is it due to his religion? If it is for the wrong reasons, then one should not pursue such a marriage especially if it may be based more off lust or wordly reasons.

May Allah grant you success

66773

Sunni . Salatul Layl

Can I take the name of my Sunni friend when I am praying for other believers during Salat al Lail?

Yes, we can pray for our Sunni friends to be granted the light of following Ahlul Bayt (AS) who are the real source of the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

Wassalam.

65237

Sunni . Sufism

Is there any harm in attending Tasawwuf classes conducted by a Sunni scholar?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 4 months ago

You have the freedom to go.

However, if you are a dedicated Shi'i, and are going for reasons beyond casual attendance or academic interest (for instance, seeking long-term spiritual guidance or a sense of belonging), it is unlikely to yield a long-term benefit, because people can tell whether you are one of them or not, and at the end of the day, you will be either one of them or not and share their outlook or not. But it is natural for the seeker to want to look for wisdom in different places.

If you do go, it is good to approach it with a spirit of critical analysis, and sift out what is true, healthy, and founded from what is false, unhealthy, or baseless in what is being said (as well as how the teacher interacts with students and how the group interacts with each other). However this is good for all things, not just Sufi groups.

[Addendum: I agree that, in theory, one should be able to take what one needs spiritually solely through Twelver interpretations of Ahl al-Bayt (A).

However, the reality is that, in many places where Muslims are a minority, there is not much available to Shi'is. Even if there is a Shi'i mosque, it may not be serving the spiritual, educational, or social needs of the people there beyond a basic level. Or the programs may be in a language the person does not speak, etc. One of the main complaints I hear among adult Shi'is is that they feel like their communities do not offer scaffolding for spiritual development because most of the communities are focused on rituals and being cultural centers, and, for this reason, some Shi'is do explore other forms of spirituality or mysticism.

This is in addition to whatever other reasons someone might wish to explore elsewhere, apart from curiosity and the sense that the grass could be greener on the other side (although it usually isn't!).

At the end of the day, we are all Muslims; if you go to a Sunni Sufi class, you will learn more about the diversity and variety of approaches in the Islamic tradition. In my viewpoint, the main difference between Shi'ism and Sunnism is not about Abu Bakr or Umar or how to do wudu but rather worldview - underlying assumptions about the nature of Islam, approaches to religious law, free will, social ideals, etc, of course Sufis vary a lot in these things too, but picking up on the underlying differences is perhaps the most educational thing to do. Also, sometimes when we see a different viewpoint, we come to appreciate our own more!

I don't believe that there is a merit to preserving one's faith only through isolation or ignorance by not exposing one's self to other views. If one's faith can't stand up to the knowledge that there are other approaches, then it doesn't sound like a very strong faith. However, if one is unfamiliar with the foundations of one's religious views, it's good to be solid in them before exploring something different, otherwise you won't be able to compare fairly. For instance, a Muslim came to me once with many criticisms of the Qur'an they read online, however they had never actually read the Qur'an! This is just taking someone's propaganda because one does not know about one's own religion. However if some has a reasonable knowledge of their own faith, it can be rewarding to explore other interpretations of faith and religion, whether they be from other Muslims or other faiths. We are all human beings sharing the same soul and the same general trajectory throughout life to the next life and so there are bound to be some commonalities even if there are also differences. ]

Sunni . Sufism

Is there any harm in attending Tasawwuf classes conducted by a Sunni scholar?

The followers of true Islam which is the Islam of the Holy Prophet
(SAWA) and the Ahlul Bayt (AS) has got the strongest evidence which is not
available with anyone else from any sect from among the Muslims. The
believer ( Mo'min) should share his knowledge and the evidence which he has with
other Muslims who are not aware of it. Attending religious or
scientific gatherings is good as far as the Mo’min gives his knowledge
as much as he can to those who do not follow the Ahlul Bayt (AS). But
attending classes conducted by people who are away from the Ahlul Bayt
(AS) without being able to benefit them is harmful and it must be
avoided. Every believer, no matter how much he knows about religion is
able to give benefit to those who don’t follow Ahlul Bayt (AS). The
Hadeeth from Imam Ja’far Al- Sadiq (AS) says : “If our uneducated
follower does not overcome the educated from our opponent, then we are
not on the right path” (ان لم يغلب جاهلنا عالمهم فلسنا على الحق ).

The believer who knows and follows Ahlul Bayt (AS) does not need to take guidance from outsiders as the Ahlul Bayt (AS) have the most comprehensive and most authentic knowledge from the Holy Prophet (SAWA) which is required by every Muslim.

There is also another negative point in attending religious classes of
other sects which might give a wrong signal to some of them that they
are on the right path and that is why a follower of the Ahlul Bayt
(AS) is seeking knowledge from them.

A narration states : “Seeking religious knowledge from
other that Ahlul Bayt (AS) is like denying the status of Ahlul Bayt
(AS)”.

Wassalaam.

56552

Sunni . Ghadir Khumm

What is the Sunni interpretation and explanation for the event of Ghadir Khumm?

Vinay Khetia, Shaikh Vinay Khetia has studied at various traditional Islamic seminaries in London, Iraq and Syria. He has an undergraduate degree in Religious and Near Eastern Studies from the University of... Answered 6 months ago

Salaamun Alaykum,

It is generally viewed by Sunni scholars to be a fadila or virtue of Ali akin to other companions in the sense that it demonstrated his closeness to the Prophet as a dear friend and confidant. It is not interpreted by Sunni scholars to indicate that he was to succeed the Prophet. Of course the Shia school of thought differs with such an interpretation by looking at the words themselves as well as the implications therein in light of the Prophet comparing himself to Ali in terms of his guardianship or wilaya over the community. A good book in this regard is Shiism Imamate and Wilayat by Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, it can be found on al-islam.org

regards and wa salaam

Sh.Vinay Khetia

61516

Maghrib . Sunni . Salah (Prayers) . Shi'a

Why is the Maghrib prayer time not exactly the same for Sunni and Shi'a?

Zeinab Donati, Zeinab Donati has been studying books about various Islamic subjects for more than 19 years. She is deeply interested in history and politics as well as social issues in particular those pertaining... Answered 7 months ago

I think that it could be useful for you to read the book "Prayer (Salat), According to the Five Islamic Schools of Law", in particular the section concerning Maghrib since it analyzes the various opinions in details: https://www.al-islam.org/shiite-encyclopedia/prayer-salat-according-five-islamic-schools-law-part-1#time-maghrib-and-%E2%80%98isha%E2%80%99-prayers

Maghrib . Sunni . Salah (Prayers) . Shi'a

Why is the Maghrib prayer time not exactly the same for Sunni and Shi'a?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 7 months ago

as salam alaikum

the time of Maghrib prayer starts at sunset. There is a disagreement among Shia scholars on when sunset starts. There are three major opinions in this regard:

1) Maghrib time start when the redness of the eastern sky disappears which is usually about 10-15 minutes after Sunni Maghrib time.

2) Maghrib time start at the disappearance of the sun in the western sky which is the same as Sunni Maghrib time.

3) Maghrib time starts at the disappearance of the sun in the western sky but as precaution we should wait until the redness in the eastern sky is disappeared.

The ahadith in support of the second opinion are accepted by all Islamic schools and are stronger in term of authenticity and numbers of isnads. However we find also ahadith stating the beginning of Maghrib time at the time of the disappearance of the redness in the eastern sky and that is why many scholars gave preference to that, at least as precautionary measure.

With prayers for your success.