Sunni-Shi'a

79891

Is there any online library where we can download documents about Shia doctrines in many languages?

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... Answered 1 week ago

You can try this: https://www.shia-maktab.info/index.php/en/library/books

and this: https://www.shiavault.com/

and this https://www.hubeali.com/online-books/

Generally, if you search using the words Shia online books a few websites should appear - depending on which country you are searching from.

109107

Sunni-Shi'a . Ghadir Khumm . Salah (Prayers) . Sahaba (Companions)

I have become very interested in Shia Islam after reading online about Ghadir Khum. If I become a Shia, will I be able to offer prayers behind a Sunni Imam? Can I continue to respect all the Sahaba and hate none of them? What changes will I have to make?

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 2 weeks ago

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

Alhamdulilah you have read about the incident of Ghadir and May Allah swt guide you to accept the divine authority of Imam Ali (as).

Firstly after becoming Shia, you will need to refer to the jurists who specialise in ahkaam or the Islamic laws. You will find some of the experts who say it is allowed to pray behind a Sunni imam provided that you recite the surahs yourself; others will say you can only do so out of taqiya (when one fears for their life & must conceal their faith).

Then you’ll find scholars who will say that one cannot pray behind a Sunni imam at all due to justice being one of the conditions as well as it being crucial that one prays correctly. Unfortunately our brothers who refer to themselves as Sunnis, perform both their salah and wudu in the incorrect way.

So when you choose a marja then you may check their ruling.

About the Sahaba, one can only respect the Sahaba who were PROVEN in history to be loyal to both the prophet Mohammad & his Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them all). In other cases we may assume the best of those Sahaba who have nothing bad reported about them in history.

It has been proven from the Quran and hadiths of both sects, that there existed many hypocrites among the Sahaba. In the authentic sources of the sect who refers to itself as ahlus sunnah, you’ll find the prophet Mohamamd (sawa) clearly saying that among his companions were hypocrites therefore, how can one respect all Sahaba?

For example, can one love Muawiyah who encouraged people to curse & insult Imam Ali?! Of course not! Therefore one would have to disassociate from such people despite them being 'companions'.

Can one love Umar who threatened to burn down the house of Fatima Al-Zahra (as) and imam Ali (as)?

As for those companions who are proven praise worthy, then you may show your love towards them.

If you research the above matters you will find various sources which mention the points I have summarised.

May Allah grant you success

109471

Sunni-Shi'a . Marriage

I am a Shia woman who comes from a very religious family. However I am in love with a Sunni man and would like to marry him. Should I teach him about Shia Islam and enlighten him as to allow him to convert? Or should I instead end everything with him?

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 2 weeks ago

If he understands and accepts following Ahlul Bayt (AS) just like all the followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS), and you are sure that he will not leave the faith, then you can go ahead with your marriage plans with him, but if you or him are not sure then you should avoid such idea which can endanger your future.
Wassalam.

Sunni-Shi'a . Marriage

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 3 weeks ago

Bismihi ta'ala

That is very good that you come from a religious family, and as a religious person you know what your obligations are.

In our Shi'i fiqh, it is permissible to marry anyone from other Islamic sects, as long as you are free to keep your Shi'i identity and uphold your Shi'i practices. You do not necessarily need to convert him to becoming a Shi'i, as this is something that comes from within.

It is his choice, if he is interested in learning about Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), and following the Imams (a.s.), or not, as long as he does not harbour hatred to the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.).

Something that you must keep in mind is his surroundings, and those influencing him. In some cases, the husband/wife might be neutral, or compliant, but then get negatively influenced by an extremist, or a Wahhabi, or a takfiri, and then this starts to have an impact on the marriage.

In early stages of life, he/she might not be that religious, but then after a while, they start to pick up on things, and condemn you for praying on soil, or mourning Imam Husain (a.s.), or wanting to go to Ziyarah, and so on.

This does happen, and so it is very important that both sides clarify everything and make sure there will be no sort of mistreatment based on sect.

Another thing that you must think of is because you are "in love", it might cloud your judgment as to whether you are making the right decision.

It is absolutely necessary that you consult with your parents, and also discuss things with your elders and family members, to make sure you have their consent, and also the decision you are making is the right decision. This should always be the case, whether the prospect spouse be Sunni, or Shi'i, or anything else.

So, if he has the positive requirements of a husband, and he meets all the conditions, along with your family's approval, then discuss that's a very good thing.

You can discuss topics related to Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), but it has to be his decision from within himself if he has the interest and wishes to learn more, or not. That must be his choice, and not something imposed on him.

With prayers for your success.

108980

Islam . Hajj . Conversion to Islam . Sunni-Shi'a . Circumcision . Meaning

Can I convert to Shia Islam if I am not circumcised? If I am not then does that mean that if I attend Hajj it will not be accepted?

You can be a Shia Muslim by just believing in the main faith of Islam (There no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger and Ali is the successor after the Prophet). This faith is enough for you to become a Shia Muslim.

Obligatory acts are not condition to be a Shia Muslim although you need to do whatever you know and can afford.

When you perform Hajj, you need to get yourself circumcised before performing Tawaf around the Ka'bah.

Wassalam.

107163

Sunni-Shi'a . Mut'a (Temporary marriage) . Battle of Khaybar

Do the Shia believe that Mutah was prohibited by the Prophet (s) during the battle of Khaybar?

Shia Muslims believe in and follow the truth only. The narration you referred to is a fabricated one as leading Sunni Shaikhs including Umar ibn al-Khttab never believed that Mut'ah marriage was prohibited anytime during the life of the Prophet (SAWA). That is why Umar has clearly said about Mut'ah: It was allowed during the time of the Messenger of Allah and I am prohibiting it. ( Musnad Aahmad Ibn Hanbal and Sunan al-Bayhaqi and Saheeh Muslim and many other Sunni sources).

Wassalam.

108729

Sunni-Shi'a . Gog and Magog

What is the Shia belief on Yajuj and Majuj? Who are they and how will they affect the people of the world?

Gog and Magog or Yaʾjuj wa Maʾjuj (Arabic: یَأجوج وَ مَأجوج) are tribes mentioned in the Qur'an and the religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. "Gog" and "Magog" are characterized in religious texts as a cruel group (مفسدون في الأرض)( Doing big mischief on earth) (Sura 18, Verse 94) who harassed and abused others and plundered their possessions. On the Qur'anic account, Dhu l-Qarnayn ذو القرنين constructed a dam, at the request of people who were oppressed by "Gog" and "Magog", in order to protect them against their aggression. The dam was known as "Sadd Dhu l-Qarnayn" (the Dam of Dhu l-Qarnayn) or the "Dam of Gog and Magog". Some people have speculated that the dam is located in northern Georgia. The Qur'an as well as the religious texts of Christianity and Judaism have referred to the destruction of the dam and the renewed riot of "Gog" and "Magog" as an event in End Time.

The Qur'an has referred to Gog and Magog in Sura al-Kahf, verses 93-98[7] and Sura al-Anbiya', verse 96[8] as people who did mischief in the land and harmed others. In Sura al-Anbiya', the riot of "Gog" and "Magog" is mentioned as an indication of the End Time.

In one of his journeys, Dhul Qarnayn, a believing king, arrived in a region which was located between two mountains. People of the region told him that "Gog" and "Magog" who lived on the other side of the mountain frequently invaded their lands and plundered everything. People asked Dhul Qarnayn to construct a dam preventing "Gog" and "Magog" in exchange for some money. With the help of people, he constructed a dam with molten iron and copper without receiving any money from them. The dam came to be known as the "Dam of Dhu l-Qarnayn" or the "Dam of Gog and Magog". The Qur'an has narrated the story in verses 93 to 98 of Sura al-Anbiya'. Some people believe that the dam is located in Darial Gorge in the north of Tbilisi on the Georgia-Russia border.
The Qur'an has mentioned that the riot of "Gog and Magog" is an indication of the events of the End Time. In the verse 96 of Sura al-Anbiya', God has reported about a sign of the End Time: "Until when Gog and Magog are let loose, and they race down from every slope."
Their riot in the End Time was also mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel in the Old Testament and the Book of Revelation of John in the New Testament.

Wassalam..

108738

Marriage . Father . Mut'a (Temporary marriage) . Sunni-Shi'a

Am I allowed to get into a Mutah marriage with a guy without my father's permission as he will never allow it being a non-Shia?

If your non Shia father refuses to allow your marriage with a good Believing person, for no valid reason, and you need the marriage to save yourself from falling in sin, you can refer to your Marja' of Taqleed to seek his guidance.

It is disliked for a virgin girl to do Mut'ah marriage.

Wassalam.

108742

Eyebrows . Muslims . Sunni-Shi'a

Is plucking your eyebrows allowed for Shia Muslims?

Yes it is allowed according to authentic evidence from Quran and Hadeeth from the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) being studied and researched by Shia scholars.
Non Shia Muslims have little access to the most authentic Prophetic Hadeeths narrated by Ahlul Bayt (AS) , that is why many of them have misunderstood narrations and matters including this matter as well as Wudhu, temporary marriage, Divorce, daughters inheritance, photography etc.

Wassalam.

Eyebrows . Muslims . Sunni-Shi'a

Is plucking your eyebrows allowed for Shia Muslims?

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... Answered 1 month ago

Yes.

Shi'i Muslims do not accept the prohibition on it found in some Sunni sources. They also do not see these things as "changing the creation of Allah" which is condemned as an act of Shatan in Qur'an 4:119.

108049

Takfir . Sunni-Shi'a . Abu Talib b. Abd al-Muttalib

I have heard someone say that Sunni's are Kafir because they do Takfir of Abu Taleb AS and this is on the basis that calling a Muslim a Kafir makes one a Kafir. How can I respond?

This problem will not be solved by debating over the minutiae of whether "calling someone a kafir makes someone a kafir, so Sunnis are a kafir." Of course, you can discuss it, and it could be good to discuss it historically and religiously.

However, it is an excuse being put forward for a viewpoint, and if this excuse is disproved, another one will be presented.

The problem here is mindset, in particular,
(a) lack of understanding of the Prophetic message and how the Prophet (S) reached out to all people rather than excluding people to form an elite group,

(b) arrogance and egotism - thinking that one is part of the small, elite, saved group while everyone else is wrong floats one's ego, and is one of the subtler traps of Shaytan,

(c) a misunderstanding of the nature of Allah. Allah, as the creator of the universe, including the human being, is not so petty to kick people out of the ummah because of a handful of historical errors.

Sometimes also (d) some individiuals are benefitting from these ideologies, such as if they get followers or fans from spreading them and appealing to people's sense of clannishness.

To be fair there may also be (e) backlash against the Sunnis who call Shiis kafir and use that as an excuse for violence.

Surely we can understand that just as it is wrong for Sunnis to declare Shiis kafir, it is wrong to declare Sunnis kafir. We should treat others as we would like to be treated.

So basically these are the things that really need to addressed. A person who has humility before Allah and is not using their religious identity to bolster their own nafs or ego will not take it upon themself to decree masses of sincere people as kaafir.

Sometimes this takes time, such as years, and it won't happen in one or two sessions.

Takfir . Sunni-Shi'a . Abu Talib b. Abd al-Muttalib

I have heard someone say that Sunni's are Kafir because they do Takfir of Abu Taleb AS and this is on the basis that calling a Muslim a Kafir makes one a Kafir. How can I respond?

1. Sunnis are Muslims like us and it is completely wrong to claim that they are Kafirs.

2. Sunni are following different sects e.g. Hanafi, Shafi'ee, Maliki, Hanbali, Salati, Wahabi, Sufi, Barelwi, Deobandi etc.

There are also many Sunni sub sects. All of them Muslims even those extreme groups who claim that Shia are Kafir. We believe that those who call us Kaafir are Muslims but misguided.

3. Abu Talib is a great believer in Islam and protector of the Prophet (SAWA) and this fact is been admitted by mass majority of Sunni scholars. Small minority among Sunni Muslims claim that Abu Talib was non Muslim because of the enmity against imam Ali (AS).

4. Many Sunni scholars have written books about Abu Talib and his great status in Islam e.g. Ahmad Zaini Dahlan the Imam of the Haram of Makkah.

Wassalam..