Unravelling The Myths of The Shee'ah (Rafidah)
Unravelling The Myths of The Shee'ah (Rafidah)
Unravelling The Myths of The Shee'ah (Rafidah)
Copyright SalafiManhaj 2004 URL: www.SalafiManhaj.com E-mail: [email protected] Important Note: The following document is an on-line book publishing of www.SalafiManhaj.com. This book was formatted and designed specifically for being placed on the Web and for its easy and convenient distribution. At the time of this e-book publishing, we are not aware of any other book similar to it, in terms of its translation from its original Arabic source. Since this book was prepared for free on-line distribution we grant permission for it to be printed, disbursed, photocopied, reproduced and/or distributed by electronic means for the purpose of spreading its content and not for the purpose of gaining a profit, unless a specific request is sent to the publishers and permission is granted.
Contents 4 Introduction 13 Imaams 21 The Sahaabah 25 The Family of the Prophet (sal allahu alaihi wa sallam)/Ahl ul-Bayt 32 Ahl ul-Bayt and the Sheeah 39 The Ahl ul-Bayt Called to the Quraan and Sunnah 43 Mutah 52 Conclusion
Unravelling the Myths About the Shee'ah Introduction Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah, we thank Him and from seek His help and forgiveness. We also seek refuge in Allaah from the evils of our souls and from our evil actions. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.1 The best speech is the Book of Allah and the best way is the way of Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam). The worst of affairs are the innovations (into the religion of Islaam), because every innovation is heresy, every heresy is deviation and every deviation leads to the hellfire. This humble study is for the sincere people that are seeking the truth. It is not intended to be an attack on a persons identity, or on the culture that a person happens to be born into without full knowledge, or what one thought was Islaam without access to the full facts. Rather, it hopes to outline some of the beliefs of the Sheeah and show how they are not
This part of the introduction is an extract from the prayer known as the Khutbat ul-Haajah (The Prayer of Need). The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) recommended its use before important occasions. __________________________________________________________________________________ SalafiManhaj 2004 4
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in line with Islaam as presented in the Quraan, Sunnah (way) of Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) or the understandings of the early generations of righteous Muslims. Please look at the evidence presented fairly as we do feel the need to resort to bringing about conflicts with the ignorant, facts have merely been presented and it is for the sincere reader to decide. Unfortunately, due to the secretive manner of the knowledgable amongst the Sheeah, many people are not aware of their actual beliefs. Muslims are not conscious of the differences between Islaam and the Sheeah belief. Most Sheeah writings revolve around emotional issues of love for the Prophets family and people believe that the Sheeah belief is just this. However, they can still be Muslims and love the family of the Prophet in the way that they deserve without being Sheeah.
In our call to Tawheed, we are faced with many Sheeah people who are not familiar with what the majority of their own scholars have invented which have thus rendered the Sheeah belief system as heretical, contrary to the understanding of the family and companions of the Prophet and thus outside the fold of Islaam. We repeat that we are not trying to offend the average Sheeah, who may not even practice Islaam, but the truth of what will be presented in this short work should be assessed fairly and unemotionally. The religious beliefs and practices of extremist Sheeah segregate them from Islaam, the Sheeah have specific beliefs about Allaah and His attributes, the Prophets, the mission and call of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) and even the Quraan.2 A short history of the Sheeah will be detailed with all the sources quoted and referenced for those
A famous and respected Sheeee scholar from Najaf, Mirza Husayn Ibn Muhammad at-Tabarsee wrote Fasl al-Khitaab fee Ithbaat Tahreef Kitaab Rabb al-Arbaab (A Decisive Statement Concerning Proof of the Alteration of the Lord of Lords Book). Written in 1865 CE, when the book was later to be discovered by the Orientalists and Christian missionaries they were delighted to have found a book that furthered their weak and vain attempts to discredit Islaam. In the book, Tabarsee compiled hundreds of texts from Sheeah scholars from different ages which allege that the Quraan is incomplete. (See: Muhibbuddeen al-Khateeb, Khutoot al-Areedah, (Canada: Majlis ul-Haqq, 1983, 1st edition), p.4) __________________________________________________________________________________ SalafiManhaj 2004 6
who wish to pursue further research and study, followed by a point by point analysis of the main Sheeah concepts. The evidence concealed in the books of Sheeah scholars themselves will be analyzed so as to be unbiased and to demonstrate that the family of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) followed the truth of the Quraan and Sunnah and never cursed the Sahaabah (Companions of Muhammad) and further dismissed the extreme claims of those Sheeah who came much later. For example, these quotes from the family of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) will reveal the contradictory practice of cursing the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad and hating most of the Companions which is done by the extreme Sheeah. The term Sheeah (plural: Shiya) comes from the Arabic verb Shaaa which means to spread, hence Sheeah means a faction or sect and is used with that meaning in the Quraan in both singular and plural forms many times. For example:
Then We will certainly drag out from ever sect (Sheeah) those who were most obstinate in their rebellion against Allaah, Most Gracious
{Maryam: 69}
As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects (Shiya) you have no part in them in the least. Their affairs are with Allaah, He will tell them the truth of what they did in the end
{al-Anaam: 159} The term Sheeah was first used to describe the followers of the fourth rightly guided Caliph, Ali ibn Abee Taalib, may Allaah be pleased with him, and the term came to be applied to those who simply loved and greatly respected the family of the Prophet Muhammad. However, after Alis death, some of his followers retained the name exclusively and they began to rapidly deteriorate in morals, creed and belief.
This was marked by their rejection of Zayd Ibn Ali3 because he did not accept their innovated concepts of not recognizing the three Caliphs, Aboo Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattaab and Uthmaan ibn Affaan and anyone who did not uphold the belief that Ali should have been the first Caliph. Even according a Sheeee historian, Mirza Taqee Khaan, Zayd was asked about Aboo Bakr and Umar, to which he replied: I always speak well of them and I have never heard any members of the family of the Prophet speak badly of them. They have never persecuted us nor did they maltreat any other citizen. Both of them strictly followed the Quraan and Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu
alayhi wassallam).4
Those Sheeah in this context meaning those who had great respect for the family of the Prophet and followed Zayd were/are known as the Zaydiyyah. They have survived in Yemen and it remains the major school of thought in Yemen. The sect is based on some Mutazilah ideas and they rejected mysticism. In their worship they have certain features in common with other Sheeah such as: the addition of Hayya ilaa Khayr al-Aamaal (Come to the best of Actions) in their call to prayer and the prohibition of meat killed by non-Muslims. In their family law they prohibit marriage with Christians and Jews, however they do not allow Mutah (temporary marriage) alike other Sheeah. They also recognize the three righteous Caliphs before Ali and do not consider the majority of the Sahaabah as apostates. (See: Taareekh ul-Madhaahib; Volume 2, p.479-516 and Encyclopedia of Islam, p.631-632) 4 Mirza Taqee Khaan, Nasikh ut-Tawaarikh (Volume 2) p. 590. This book is popular and regarded as an authentic Sheeah document, see: Muhsin al-Ameen, Ayyan ush-Sheeah (Volume 2) p. 132 __________________________________________________________________________________ SalafiManhaj 2004 9
However those people who were led by their desires did not accept what Zayd said thus he stated: These people have left us and formed a separate group of their ownthey got rid of old affiliations and scrambled up a new group. Thus from today they will be called the Raafidah.5 These new Sheeah over praised Ali ibn Abee Taalib, some even saying that he was/is Allaah incarnate6 and claimed that Aboo Bakr and Umar became apostates along with all the companions except three to seven of them! The Raafidah (plural: Rawaafid) also mixed in other aspects which bolstered their claims and thus they began to integrate symbols of hatred for the Sahaabah into their religion.
ibid. Abdullaah ibn Saba, a Yemeni Jew, was the first in history to begin calling to the worship of Ali Ibn Abee Taalib. Abdullaah ibn Saba became a Muslim during the Khilaafah of Uthmaan Ibn Affaan. Ibn Saba surrounded himself with the followers of Ali Ibn Abee Taalib and played a significant role in the uprising which started in Koofah amongst Alis supporters and flared up in Egypt. From this rebellion, rebels were sent to Madeenah in 656 CE. They surrounded the house of Uthmaan, stormed the house and killed him, may Allaah be pleased with him. Ibn Saba and his cohorts clashed with the forces of the Sahaabah leading to the Battle of the Camel outside Basra in which Talhah and az-Zubayr, may Allaah be pleased with them, were killed along with many other Muslims. Ibn Saba was banished to Iraaq where Ali and his followers were based. The rest of Ibn Sabas band of followers that claimed that Ali was Allaah were ordered by Ali to be executed by burning. [Abul-Hasan al-Asharee, Maqaalaat ul-Islaamiyyeen (Maktabh an-Nahdah al-Misriyyah; 2nd edition, 1961, Vol. 1) pp.50-51, 58-59]
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Some modern-day Sheeah have denied the existence of Ibn Saba yet all of the early Muslim scholars make reference to him and even Sheeah scholars admit to his presence. For example the Sheeah scholars such as Imaam Kaashee in his book ar-Rijaal; Aboo Muhammad al-Hasan ibn Yahyaa an-Nawbakhtee, a major Sheeah theologian in his book Firaaq ush-Sheeah and ar-Rawdat us-Safa by a Sheeee historian, all mention Ibn Saba. These three books are exclusively Sheeah scholarly books. The Muslim scholars and historians who mention Ibn Saba were Ibn Jareer at-Tabaree in his famous Taareekh ut-Tabaree which contains all the sources regarding Abdullaah Ibn Saba and the great Muslim historians Ibn ul-Atheer and Ibn Katheer mention Ibn Saba. Even the rationalist historian Ibn Khaldoon mentions Ibn Saba. __________________________________________________________________________________ 10 SalafiManhaj 2004
Henceforth, Persia, present day Iraan, became important for the Sheeah due to al-Husayn Ibn Ali, may Allaah be pleased with him, marrying Shahrabaanoo the daughter of the Persian ruler Yezdegird the third. This has been used by the Raafidah up to this day to denote a kind of special status about Persia/Iraan, and that the Prophets bloodline runs through Iraan. Furthermore, Persian companions of the Prophet were raised and extolled such as Salmaan al-Faarisee and Aboo Tharr alGhifaaree, may Allaah be pleased with them both. Persian characters from Islamic history known for their treachery were also respected, such as Aboo LuLu, the Persian slave who killed the second Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him. Even to this day in Iraan there is supposedly a tomb and shrine dedicated to Aboo LuLu. Furthermore, the Rawaafid mingled in parts of the established Persian religion of Zorastrianism into their religion. This is attested to the fact that in the religion of Zoroaster the rulership must be passed down through a lineage in order for the rulership to be sanctioned as suitable, identical to the religion of the Rawaafid whereby the Imaams follow each
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other consecutively. This also explains why Musavi alKhomaynee (Khomeini) considered the Persian day of celebration known as Nauraz (Persian News Years Day) a day on which fasting is recommended.7 Furthermore, this accounts for why it was stipulated in the constitution of the Iraanian Islamic Republic endorsed by Khomaynee that the head of state must be of pure Persian ancestry and origin.8 In Persia, these Rawaafid beliefs, which also emphasized twelve Imaams, were established in 1502 CE by the Safawid empire who claimed descent from the seventh Imaam, Moosaa al-Kaathim.9 On his ascension, the founder of the Safawid state, Shaah Ismaaeel declared Sheeahism the state religion of Persia. Other areas where the Raafidah/Twelver Sheeah can be found are in Iraaq, Lebanon, India, Kuwait and East Africa. Thus, from now on in this work when we
Al-Khomeini, Tahreer al-Waseelah (Najaf: Matbaah al-Adab, 1390 AH; Volume 1) pp.302-303. This is a voluminous work on Sheeah jurisprudence by the Sheeah Imaam and leader of the pseudo revolution that took place in Iraan from the late 1970s and the early eighties. This work is in two volumes, consisting of 658 pages and 650 pages respectively. 8 Saraab fee Iraan/The Mirage in Iraan, p.39 9 History of the Arabs, p. 441 __________________________________________________________________________________ 12 SalafiManhaj 2004
mention the term Sheeah, it is referring to these extreme Raafidah scholars.10 Imaams a) The Sheeah give their Imaams the divine attributes of infallibility. Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar mentions in his book Faith of Shia Islam, We believe that, like the Prophet, an Imaam must be infallible, that is to say incapable of
Imaam
is
able
to
understand
Sheeah also claim to follow what has been known as the Jaafari school, named after Jaafar asSaadiq, may Allaah have mercy on him. However, Jaafar left behind no evidence of having compiled a school in Islamic jurisprudence. This school of thought has been used by modernist Muslims such as Ikhwaan ul-Muslimeen (The Muslim Brotherhood) and other modernists to vainly attempt to unite and bring the extremist Sheeah into the fold of Muslim acceptance.
information about anything, anywhere and at any time.12 The so called Roohullaah (spirit of Allaah) and Aaytullaah (Sign of Allaah) Musavi alKhomaynee said: Certainly the Imaam has a dignified station, a lofty rank, a creational Caliphate and a sovereignty and mastery over all atoms of creation. It is definitely a basic
belief in our school of thought, that our Imaams occupy a station unattainable by either an angel of the highest rank or a major Prophet.13
c) The Sheeah equivalent to the Muslim scholar alBukhaaree, al-Kulaynee dedicated a special chapter in his book titles: Surely People Have No Truth Except What Came From The Imaams and Everything Which Did Not Come From Them Is False.14 According to alKhomaynee the book al-Kaafee15 is considered by
Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar, Faith of Shia Islam (USA: Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; 2nd Edition, 1983) p.32 12 ibid. 13 Khomeini, al-Hukoomah al-Islaamiyyah (Beirut: at-Talee'ah Press, Arabic edition, 1979) p. 52-53 14 Muhammad Ibn Ya'qoob al-Kulaunee, al-Kaafee ('Iraan: 1278 AH/1861 CE), p.407 15 al-Kaafee fee 'Usool is a collection of sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad and the twelve Imaams of the Shee'ah. It is was compiled by the Shee'ee historian al-Kulaynee (d. 941 CE) and is the most __________________________________________________________________________________ 14 SalafiManhaj 2004
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the Sheeah in the same way that Saheeh ul-Bukhaaree is considered among the Muslims.16 Dr Ahmad alAfghaanee has noted that al-Kaafee is filled with extremist statements of polytheism and heresy.17 The Sheeah elevate their Imaams to the point of infinite knowledge. The following chapter headings in al-Kaafee attest to this belief: Chapter: The Imaams Have Knowledge Of All That Was Given To The Angels and The Prophets.18 Chapter: The Imaams Know When They Will Die and They Only Die By Their Choice.19 Chapter: The Imaams Have Knowledge of the Past and the Future and Nothing Is Hidden from Them.20 d) Hoor al-Amalee related a tradition in his Tahdheeb from Toosee under the caption: This Chapter
respected of Shee'ah traditions. According to earlier editions, inscriptions on the title page read: "According to Imaam al-Mahdee this book is Kaafee (sufficient) for our Shee'ahs." (See:Dr Ahmad 'Abdullaah Salaamah, Mu'tah - The Sunni and Shi'a Perspectives on Marriage, (Abu'l-Qasim Publishing House, 1995) p.24). 16 Saheeh ul-Bukhaaree is considered by the unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars the most authentic book in Islaam after the Qur'aan. Its contents were collected by the great hadeeth scholar, Muhammad ibn Ismaa'eel al-Bukhaaree (d. 256 AH/ 870 CE). Rejection of Saheeh ul-Bukhaaree in its totality is seen by Muslims as rejection of Islaam itself. 17 Dr Ahmad al-Afghaanee, Saraab fee 'Iraan/The Mirage in Iran (translated and edited by Dr Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips), (Abu'l-Qasim Publishing House, 1985), p.13 18 al-Kaafee ('Iraan, 1278AH), p. 255 19 ibid. p. 258 20 ibid. P. 260 __________________________________________________________________________________ 15 SalafiManhaj 2004
Is About The Superiority of the Twelve Imaams Over All Creatures, The Prophets and The Angels.21 All of these concepts oppose the Quraan: There is nothing like Him (Allaah) and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. {ash-Shooraa (42): 11}
Surely the knowledge of the hour is with Allaah alone. It is He who sends down rain and He who knows what is in the wombs. Nor deos anyone know what he will earn tomorrow, nor does one know in what land he is to die. Certainly witjh Allaah is full knowledge and He is acquainted with all things {Luqmaan (31): 34} Allaah, Most High, does not reveal the unseen matters except to whoever Allaah chooses from the Prophets and Messengers, as Allaah said. Allaah does not reveal information about the unseen realms to others, only Prophets, Messengers and angels. The Quraan does not mention that Imaams are capable of acquiring secret hidden esoteric knowledge from the unseen world.
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A contemporary Muslim scholar, Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan writes: therefore, anyone who claims the knowledge of the unseen by any means is a liar and a
Prophets or Messengers. So how can a man decide from his own desires that people should call him the Spirit of Allaah!? Is this from Islaam? If one is honest then this is not from Islaam. The Quraan mentions how people should worship Allaah, Most High:
Indeed, those who you call upon besides Allaah are only servants (creations) like you
{al-Araaf (7): 194}
And (yet) among the people are those who take other than Allaah as equals (to Him). They love them as they should love Allaah. But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allaah
{al-Baqarah (2): 165}
Say (Muhammad): I am only a man like you, to whom it has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord let him do
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righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone
{al-Kahf (18): 110}
The Quraan is replete of verses that highlight that people should not associate other people or intercessors in their worship of Allaah. This concept of the Sheeah is the decisive line that takes them outside of Islaam. Furthermore, the polytheistic concept of making humans equals or shares in Allaahs attributes led to other religions emerging out of Sheeahism. For example, the Nusayrees25 emerged in the tenth century CE claiming that Ali Ibn Abee Taalib was a manifestation of Allaah. A breakaway Sheeah sect of the
Named after Muhammad Ibn Nusayr, one of Imaam al-Hasan al-'Askaree's (d. 874 CE) followers. Ibn Nusayr claimed that he was the door to the 'hidden Imaam,' but was rejected by the 'Alids and the majority of the Imaamee Twelver Rawaafid Shee'ah. However, he gathered a following and a sect evolved in northern Syria claiming that 'Ali was the incarnation of Allaah. (Shahrastani, al-Mihal wa'n-Nihal, Vilume 2, pp. 143 -145). The Nusayrees borrowed from Christianity the festivals of Christmas and Easter along with other pagan forms involving the worship of heavenly bodies. [See: Philip K. Hitti, History of the Arabs (London: Macmillan Press, 10th edition, 1970), pp. 448-449] This sect was declared pagan even by the Rawaafid Twelver Shee'ah theologians of the past. However, al-Khomaynee for political reasons included them among the main body of Shee'ah. (See: The Mirage in Iran, p. 26) __________________________________________________________________________________ 20 SalafiManhaj 2004
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eleventh century CE known as the Druze also believed that the Faatimid Sheeee Caliph, al-Haakim biAmrillaah (996 1021 CE), was the last incarnate.
The Sahaabah (Companions of Prophet Muhammad) a) An Algerian scholar, Dr Basheer al-Ibrahimi visited Iraaq and came across a three volume book called az-Zahraa, published by the Sheeah scholars of Najaf.26 The book states that Umar ibn alKhattaab, the second rightly guided Caliph, may Allaah be pleased with him, was afflicted with a disease that could only be cured by drinking human semen.27 b) Another book written in Persian entitled Kashf ulAsraar (Uncovering the Secrets) was published by alKhomaynee. On page 112 Aboo Bakr is described
26
Najaf is a city in 'Iraaq where 'Ali ibn Abee Taalib is supposed to have been buried, the Shee'ah thus consider Najaf as one of their holiest places. 27 The Mirage in Iran, p. 21 __________________________________________________________________________________ 21 SalafiManhaj 2004
as having gone astray and on page 114 Umar is called a heretic.28 c) Kitaab29 by Saalim bin Qays ul-Amree mentions that all of the companions except four of them, became apostates after the death of Prophet Muhammad. d) Another Sheeee scholar by the name of al-Majlisee30 in his book Haqq ul-Yaqeen includes a chapter called: An Account of the Infidelity of Aboo Bakr and Umar. However the refutation of these Sheeah beliefs can come from other Sheeah books themselves which attest to the veracity of loving the Sahaabah. 1. Even al-Majlisee narrated a tradition from at-Toosee stating that Ali Ibn Abee Taalib told his companions: I advise you not to tease the companions of the Prophet, because
28 29
ibid. p. 22 Beirut: Daar ul-Funoon, p. 92 30 'Mullaah' Mohd Baaqir Ibn Mohd Taqee Majlisee, born in 1037 AH and died in 1110 AH. He is one of the most extreme Raafidah scholars. Other Shee'ee scholars praise him and al-Ansaree noted that al-
they are the companions of your Prophet. They are the companions of those who neither introduced any innovation into the faith nor did they honour any innovators. Yes, this is the advice of the Prophet about them.31 2. Jaafar the son of Baaqir, sometimes known as as-Saadiq, (the truthtful): The companions of the Prophet
their nights weeping and praying, Oh Allaah take way our lives before we eat bread.32 3. The truth of what Ali taught about the companions can also be found when one goes through the books of the Sheeah which are not available for the mass of Sheeah to read. He acknowledged the Caliphate and superiority of Aboo Bakr in a letter: Allaah has chosen many people from among the Muslims to approve extend the divine mission. Allaah and His messenger have conferred the highest status on the first two Caliphs, Aboo Bakr and Umar. I swear by my own life that they occupy the greatest position in the fold of Islaam. May Allaah have mercy upon them, for they suffered intensely for the sake of Islaam. May
31 32
al-Majlisee, Hayyat ul-Quloob (Vol. 2), p. 621 al-Qummee, Kitaab ul-Khisaal (Tehraan: Maktabah as-Sudooq), p. 640
Allaah compensate them for their sacrifices.33 Furthermore, the book Nahj ul-Balaghaa which is attributed to Ali Ibn Abee Taalib contains many sermons in praise of the companions such as Aboo Bakr and Umar. A further tradition states that when Umar died, may Allaah be pleased with him, Ali asked Allaah to bless him and have peace in him saying, There is no other person on earth with whose deeds I desire to merge with my deeds, except the man in this coffin.34 Moreover, it is even found in a Sheeah book that Ali said, The best men in the community after the Prophet are Aboo Bakr and Umar.35
The Family of the Prophet/Ahl ul-Bayt The people of Sunnah who try to adhere to the way of the early pious Muslims (Salaf us-Saalih), love the family of the
33 34
Ibn ul-Mitham, Sharh Nahj ul-Balaghaa ('Iraan) p. 488 This has even been recorded by many Shee'ah scholars: Sayyid Murtadha in Kitaab ush-Shaafee, p. 171; Aboo Jaa'far at-Toosee in Talkhees ash-Shaafee ('Iraan: Vol. 2; p. 428); Ibn Babwee, Ibn Abee'l-Hadeed and Sudooq in Ma'ani ul-Akhbaar ('Iraan, p. 117). Ihsan Ilahi Zaheer also notes that this tradition is recorded by Muslim scholars such as al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak; adh-Dhahabi in at-Talkhees, Musnad of Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Tabaqaat of Ibn Sa'd, with similar traditions in Bukhaaree and Muslim. 35 Sayyid Murtadha, Kitaab ush-Shaafee (Volume 2) p. 428 __________________________________________________________________________________ 25 SalafiManhaj 2004
Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam). The Muslims thus follow the guidance and recommendation of the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) at Ghadir Khum36 in the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim: I adjure you by Allaah with regard to my household (Ahl il-Bayt). Shaykh Saalih bin Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah) states: Hence, Ahlus-Sunnah (the Muslims that follow the Sunnah) love and honour them as they deserve on the condition that the members of his household must follow the Sunnah and remain steadfast on the Deen. Just like their predecessors, such as al-Abbaas and his sons, and Alee and his sons did. As for those of them who oppose the Sunnah and do not remain steadfast on the Deen, no love or honour should be extended to them, even though they belong to the household of the Prophet. The stance of the Ahl us-Sunnah regarding the household of the Prophet is characterised by moderation and fairness. They only love the pious and righteous amongst them, and censure and disown those of them
Ghadir Khum is a place between Makkah and Madeenah where the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) stopped at on his way back to Madeenah after performing his farewell pilgrimage. __________________________________________________________________________________ 26 SalafiManhaj 2004
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who contradict the Sunnah and deviate from the Deen even though they are members of the Prophets household. Being a member of the household of the Prophet, or a relative of his, does not benefit him a thing until he adheres to the Deen of AllaahAhl us-Sunnah disown the ways and methodology of the Rawaafid who exceed the limits of revering the Prophets household and impute them with infallibility. They also disown the methods of the Nawaasib who treat with enmity the pious members of the Prophets household, and try to find faults in them. Ahl us-Sunnah censure the methods of the people of Bidah and superstitions who seek a means of nearness to Allaah through the Prophets household, and take them as gods beside Allaah.37
Originally the term Ahl ul-Bayt, was applied to all the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, and later came to be extended to their children, relatives and friends. In the Quraan the term Ahl is used to denote the wives of the Prophets, Ibraaheem
37
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, Kitaab ut-Tawheed (translated by M. Murad as The Book of Tawheed, p.15)
(in Soorah Hood: 71-74) and Moosaa (in Soorat ul-Qasas: 30), peace be upon them. The Sheeah usually quote the following translation of the meaning of the Aayah: Allaah intends only to remove from you the impurity (of sin) Oh people of the (Prophets) household, and to purify you with purification. {al-Ahzaab (33): 33} The Muslim scholars Ibn Katheer, Ibn Abee Haatim, Ibn Asaakir and Ibn Marwiya Saeed report from Ibn Abbaas38 that this verse was addressed to the wives of the Prophet. Ash-Shakaanee reports that Ibn Abbaas and his students Ataa ibn Abee Rabaah, Ikrimah, Saeed ibn Jubayr, Muqaatil and Kalibee all report that that Ahl ul-Bayt refers to the wives of the Prophet and his place of residence in this context. Sheeah scholars such as al-Qummee, Kashaanee in his Minhajus-Saadiqeen also express similar views that Ahlu
Ibn Abbaas was a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad and one of his major companions. The Prophet Muhammad gave him the title Turjumaan ul-Quraan meaning the one who interprets the Quraan. Thus, his commentary of the Quraan is considered by Muslims to be the most authoritative after that of the Prophet himself. Caliph Alee made Ibn Abbaas his Ameer over the city of Basrah. (Tareekh ul-Umam wal-Mulook; Volume 5, p.224) __________________________________________________________________________________ 28 SalafiManhaj 2004
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refers to wives. Yet, the Raafidah Sheeah in their understandings of the term Ahl ul-Bayt restrict it to apply only to Alee, Faatimah, Hasan and Husayn and have neglected many of the prominent Sahaabiyaat such as the noble mother of the believers Aaishah (radi Allaahu anha). The Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) married his daughter Ruqqayah to Uthmaan (radi Allaahu anhu) and when Ruqqayah died (radi Allaah anha) the Prophet married his second daughter Umm Kulthum (radi Allaahu anha) to Uthmaan. But did the Ahl ul-Bayt hate the Sahaabah and insult them or abuse them? Or did they love the Sahaabah, help them and consult them? The fact is that books written even by Sheeah scholars show that the Ahl ul-Bayt loved the Sahaabah and we shall look at these quotes from the Sheeah sources so as not to be biased. This will also reveal the contradictions of those who curse the companions when their own Sheeah scholars are narrating tradtions from the Ahl ul-Bayt in praise of the companions.
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The most visible demonstration of this love is that the Ahl ulBayt named their children after Aboo Bakr and Umar. This was an indication of their love and reverence for the companions. Alee ibn Abee Taalib named one of his sons Umar, who was born from Alees wife Umm Habeeb Bint Rabeeah Aalykreeyah. This is reported from the Sheeah scholars such as Isfahaanee, Mufeed, Yaqoobe, Majlisee and in the book Saheeh ul-Fusool. Mufeed writes under the chapter
39 40
Mufeed, al-Irshaad, p.176 Isfahaanee, Taareekh ul-Yaqoobee (Vol. 2, p.213) and Maqaatil ut-Taalibeen (Beirut: p. 84)
Majlisee writes, Umar Ibn Ali was one of those who were martyred along with Husayn in Karbala. His mother was Umm ul-Baneen Bint ul-Haza alKalaybeeyah.41 After Alee, his son Husayn also named one of his sons after Umar out of love and respect for Umar. Mufeed wrote chapter on The Children of Husayn Ibn Alee, Their
Ahl ul-Bayt and the Sheeah Even though the average Sheeah may think that her/his religion is about love of the family of the Prophet (sal allahu alaihi wa sallam), the Sheeah scholars know exactly what the Ahl ul-Bayt really said about the Sheeah. The Sheeah scholars are also aware of the circumstances surrounding the original relationship between the Ahl ul-Bayt and the Sheeah. The reasons why the Ahl ul-Bayt refuted the Sheeah is due to the Sheeah causing the death of Husayn at Karbala by not helping him when he arrived there. Sheeah scholars have quoted the evidence of this, which we look at further on. Firstly, to document the history surrounding why the Ahl ulBayt disliked the Sheeah is very significant. After the murder of Alee ibn Abee Taalib (radi Allaahu anhu) in 661 C.E. and his secret burial at Najaf, his son Hasan (radi Allaahu anhu) was declared Khaleefah (Caliph) by the people of Iraaq. Hasan however, abdicated in favour of Muaawiyah (radi Allaahu anhu) for a guaranteed subsidy and pension, which he
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himself fixed, and then retired to Madeenah. When Hasan died (radi Allaahu anhu) at forty five years of age in 669 C.E, his brother Husayn (radi Allaahu anhu) became the focal point of the Sheeah, or followers of Alee, during the reign of Muaawiyah. On Caliph Muaawiyahs death (in 659 C.E.), the Sheeah wanted Husayn not to acknowledge the Caliphs son and successor, Yazeed and decided to respond to the urgent and reiterated appeals of the Iraaqees to rebel against Yazeed. However, before doing anything, the cousin of Husayn, Muslim ibn Aqeel went to Iraaq to see how the matter was there. When Muslim ibn Aqeel arrived in Iraaq, the Sheeah rushed to swear allegiance and fidelity to Husayn, so Muslim wrote to Husayn in Makkah to come and take charge of this movement. Husayn set out for Koofah (Kufa), and was advised by his relatives not to go. Husayn left from Makkah where he was seeking refuge after not swearing allegiance to Yazeed. Meanwhile, Ubaydullaah ibn Ziyaad, the appointed governor
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of Iraaq, entered Koofah with little resistance from the Koofans and then executed Muslim ibn Aqeel. Not far from Koofah, Husayn learned of his cousins fate but continued toward Koofah until he and his followers which had dwindled to two hundred were surrounded by four thousand troops under the command of Umar the son of the famous Sahaabee and general, Sad ibn Abee Waqqaas. At Karbalaa, about twenty five miles north-west of Koofah, upon their refusal to surrender they were massacred. The Prophets grandson Husayn (radi Allaahu anhu) fell dead on the tenth day of the month of Muharram (680 C.E.) and his head was severed and sent to the Caliph Yazeed in Damascus. Caliph Yazeed deplored this horrible end which he had neither desired not ordered. His instructions had been to secure Husayn and to prevent Husayn from prolonging a dangerous agitation. The passion factor of martyrdom took on a major role amongst the Sheeah. Their anguish due to their own betrayal
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of Husayn and leaving him to the slaughter of four thousand men led to them annually observing the first ten days of Muharram as days of lamentation. They even developed a passion play called Taziyah about the struggling and suffering of Husayn. This play is enacted in two parts, one called Aashoora (the tenth day) in Kaathimayn (close to Baghdaad) in memory of the battle and the other forty days after the tenth in Karbalaa entitled Return of the head. These plays even involve men who will act as Husayn, the grandson of the Messenger of Allaah!? They also have pictures of Husayn and even pictures of the Messenger of Allaah! The days of penance and lamentation in Iraaq, Iraan and elsewhere, include street processions and self beatings. Also Sheeah spectators and participants will participate in cutting themselves with knives, hitting themselves with truncheons and chains.44 Such practices demonstrate how deviation and innovation crept into the Sheeah religion and removing it
44
further away from Islaam. These practices were not taught by Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) and are not what the Quraan and Sunnah calls to. But how did the family of the Prophet regard these events and what were their thoughts on those Sheeah who betrayed them and fled when the going got tough? Hasan bin Alee (radi Allaahu anhu) said, By Allaah, I consider Muaawiyah better than these people who call themselves my group. They tried to kill me and they seize my goods. I know Koofah and their trialthey lack loyalty as well as the capacity to cling to their words and deedsthey are the dissenters.45 Husayn bin Alee (radi Allaahu anhu) had addressed the Sheeah saying: Oh Shith bin Rabee, oh Hijar bin Akhbar, oh Qays bin Ashath and oh Yazeed bin Hareetha46 did you not tell me that the fruit is ripe, the gardens are lush green and that I should come to my army in combat ready form.47
45 46
at-Tabrisee, al-Ihtijaaj, p.45 These characters all belonged to the Sheeah who claimed to support Husayn.
A spokesman for Husayn named Hoor ibn Yazeed atTameemee addressed the people on the day of Husayns death in Karbalaa, in the presence of Husayn, before he was killed, saying: Oh residents of Koofah! Habar and Abar may curse you. You invited this pious man that he should come to you and you will obey him. You thought that they would spare him and kill you in his place, so you turned his enemies and you wanted to kill him. You held him back, shut him up, encircled him from all sides and restricted his movements.48 Husayn said: Oh people of Koofah, may you be damned, may you be ruined. You called me to help you when you were weak and we came running to help you. Then you lifted your swords against us and you became the supporters of your enemies against us. You broke the pledgeyou broke the promise out of stupidity and ignoranceyou sided with those who have discarded
47 48
At-Tabrisee, Ibn ul-Wara; (p.242) and Mufeed in al-Irshaad, p.234 ibid. and p.343 of Ibn ul-Wara
the book of Allaah. You are the ones who have deserted us and you are the ones who have murdered us.49 The Sheeah historian and scholar Mufeed reports that: Afterwards Husayn raised his hands and prayed Oh Allaah, if you keep them alive for sometime create rift between them and never be pleased with their elders and guardians because they left us totally stranded, turned against us and killed us.50 Alee bin Husayn (Zayn al-Aabideen) stated: Our Sheeah will also love us and speak about us, like how the Jews had spoken about Uzayr and the Christians about Eesaa ibn Maryam. Neither they (the Sheeah) are related to us any more, nor are we related to them.51 Moosaa ibn Jafar stated: My Sheeah posses one mark of distinction. When I tested them I found them apostates, when I tried them I found not one sincere one in a thousand of the Sheeah. A long time has passed that
49 50
al-Urbilee, Kashf ul-Ghummah, Vol. 2, pp.18-19 al-Mufeed, al-Irshaad, p. 241 and at-Tabrisee, Ibn ul-Wara, p.949 51 Rijaal ul-Kaashee, p.111 __________________________________________________________________________________ 38 SalafiManhaj 2004
they have been reclining against the cushions and they still insist that they are the Sheeah of Alee.52 There are many more statements like this from the Ahl ulBayt, for more of such quotes see: Shias and the House of Ali (pp.410-412) by Ihsaan Ilahi Zaheer. These are the Ahl ul-Bayt and their own views recorded in the concealed books of the Sheeah scholars who claim to be the real lovers of the Ahl ul-Bayt and Islaam.
The Ahl ul-Bayt Called to the Quraan and Sunnah The Ahl ul-Bayt, being pious and righteous people, never issued any statement or performed any deed in violation of the Quraan, Sunnah and the understandings of the Salaf. The advice they gave to people was that they should lead their lives in accordance and in light of the Quraan and Sunnah. They exhorted people to act upon the divine injunctions expressed in the Quraan when Allaah, Most High, says:
52
Say: (Muhammad): If you should love Allaah, then follow me, Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Forgiving and Merciful {Soorah Aali-Imraan (3): 31} If you disagree over something refer to Allaah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and the Last Day. That is the best (way) and the best result {Soorah Nisaa (4): 59}
Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allaah, and those who turn away We have not sent you (Muhammad) over them as a guardian {Soorah Nisaa (4): 80} Obey the Messenger, so that you will be shown mercy {Soorah Noor (24): 56}
Certainly in the Messenger of Allaah you have an excellent example for anyone whose hope is Allaah and the Last Day and whoever remembers Allaah often {Soorah al-Ahzaab (33): 21}
Sheeah sources also reveal that Alee ibn Abee Taalib stated in a letter to the residents of Basrah as follows: From Aameer ul-Mumineenthe servant of Allaah to every Muslim and believer to whom this letter is read out, peace on each of youif you stick to your pledge at my hand, if you accept my advice and obey me, I shall act among you according to the book and the Sunnah.53 Further Sheeah sources record that Alee quoted the Prophets saying: No word is worthy without act, no word and act are worthy without motive and no word, act or motive is worthy if it is not consistent with the Sunnah of the Prophet.54 Moreover, the one whom the Sheeah label as the sixth innocent Imaam stated according to them: Anything which is not in
53
agreement with the Quraan and the Sunnah, is not reliable.55 He is also reported to have remarked in another place: Anyone who opposed the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of Muhammad, has disbelieved in Islaam.56 Kaashee has reported from Jafar ibn Baaqir that he said: You should not believe in anything you hear about us unless it is in tune with the Quraan and Sunnah.57 Baaqir is also reported to have advised similar sentiments: Whatever reaches you, whether it is what we have said or what others have said about us, you should reflect on it. Accept it if it is in line with the Quraan, but reject it if it violates the Quraan.58 Baaqir is also report to have said: The Messenger of Allaah said, whenever something reaches you, you should judge it in the light of the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah. Accept what agrees with the Book of Allaah and
Al-Kulaynee, Kitaab Fadl ul-Ilm in al-Kaafee fil-Usool, Vol.1 (Tehraan: Daar ul-Kutub Islaamiyyah, 1374 AH) p.70 55 ibid. p.59 56 ibid. p.70 57 Rijaal ul-Kaashee, (Karabal) p. 195 under the account of Mugheerah ibn Saeed 58 at-Toosee, al-Amalee ,Vol.1 (Najaf) p.237 __________________________________________________________________________________ 42 SalafiManhaj 2004
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my Sunnah, and reject whatever does not agree with the Book of Allaah and my Sunnah.59 Mutah Temporary Marriages If the doctrines of the Sheeah are not enough to indicate that their religion is far from Islam, then maybe the Sheeah concepts of marriage will be. This section will show that the Sheeah oppress women and use them s a kind of sex outlet for their desires when it suits, and sanction this under a religious guise. Mutah is an Arabic word that means enjoyment, the books of jurisprudence and hadeeth define Mutah as a temporary marriage contracted for a fixed period in return for compensation.60 The Sheeah claim that Mutah was openly practiced during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (salallahu alahi wa sallam), but the second rightly guided Khaleefah, Umar ibn alat-Tabrisee, Abee Jafar fee Anwa is-Shaatee in al-Ihtijaaj, p.229 Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Salamah, Mutah The Sunni and Shia Perspectives on Marriage (Jeddah: AbulQaasim Publishing House, 1995), pp.2-3
60 59
Khattaab was the one who forcefully prohibited the practice. Muslims do acknowledge that Mutah was a common practice in the pre-Islamic days and that the Prophet allowed it on two occasions, but only under strict and exceptional conditions. The first instance was during the conquest of Khaybar and during the conquest of Makkah, fearing that those new Muslims whose faith was not strong yet, might commit adultery during the conquests. Thus, Muslims accept these hadeeth adding that these instances happened before all of the revelations of the Quraan were revealed and the religion completed. Dr Ahmad Abdullaah Salaamah has also noted that: Historians and commentators on the Quraan and hadeeth agree that Islaam eradicated most social evils in a gradual way. It is well known that practices such as gambling, the drinking of alcohol and the eating of pork and blood, were common during the early days but were gradually prohibited. Likewise, it seems probable that Mutah was first forbidden to those at Khaybar in the year 7 A.H. and then
completely prohibited to all upon the conquest of Makkah in 8 A.H.61 According to the Muslim scholar al-Bayhaqee, Jafar asSaadiq, whom the Sheeah regard as the sixth Imaam, described Mutah as fornication.62 Another Muslim scholar, ad-Daarqutnee reports that Alee ibn Abee Taalib (radi Allaahu anhu) stated that Mutah was abrogated when the Quraanic verses about marriage, divorce, iddah and inheritance were revealed.63 Additionally there are four ahadeeth in Saheeh ul-Bukhaaree under the title The Prophet Finally Forbade Mutah. Three of these hadeeth relate to the incidents of Mutah during the early period of Islaam. In the fourth hadeeth, Alee said to Ibn Abbaas that the Messenger of Allaah forbade Mutah.
61 62
ibid. p.3 Fath ul-Baaree, p.173 63 Mutah Sunni and Shia Perspectives on Marriage, p.11 __________________________________________________________________________________ 45 SalafiManhaj 2004
As previously mentioned, the Sheeah claim that it was Umar ibn al-Khattaab who forbade Mutah. In fact, Muslims do acknowledge that Umar declared again Mutah to be illegal (after the initial prohibitions from the Prophet) but the ruling was not from Umar, rather he was following the Prophets ruling. Alee himself is said to have the book Nahj ul-Balaaghah, a voluminous work attributed to him, wherein he presented various aspects of Islaam and the Muslim state. However, not a single word in favour of Mutah is mentioned in it. Had Umar been wrong, nothing would have prevented Alee from condemning it in his writings. The fact of the mater is that ever since the Prophets death (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) there has been a consensus among the Muslims about the illegality of Mutah.64 Nevertheless, the Sheeah bring many fabricated traditions in favour of the practice in their own books which they regard as authentic. Yet these concepts have to be analysed fairly in order to determine if Mutah promotes chastity, as desired by Allaah, or if it instead leads
64
ibid. p.9
to the use an abuse of women through religious prostitution, debauchery and the following of ones desires.
For example, the Sheeah books try to present Mutah as a pious and religious act. For example: 1. Abaan ibn Tulugh related that he said to Imaam Jafar as-Saaidq, Often during my travels I come across a very beautiful woman and I am not sure if she has a husband or if she is an adultress or if she is one of dubious character. The Imaam responded, Why should you worry about all of these things? Your duty is to believe what she says, and if she says that she has no husband then you should engage in
al-Kulaynee, Furoo al-Kaafee, Vol. 2, p196 This is considered by the Sheeah to be the most famous and original collection of Sheeah hadeeth dealing with the furoo (details) of Sheeah beliefs and practices. Also Aboo Jafar at-Toosee (died 460A.H.) in Tadheeb ul-Ahkaam (Tehraan: Daar Kutub Islamiyyah) p. 187 __________________________________________________________________________________ 47 SalafiManhaj 2004
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with. He replied, With as many as you like, they are like hired girls.66 3. If a man contracts Mutah once in his lifetime, Allaah will grant him paradise. 4. The one who contracts Mutah is saved from Shirk67 (this last narration is clearly last as the Sheeah are not saved from the Shirk of making their Imaams partners with Allaah!) 5. One who engages in Mutah once in his lifetime reaches the status of Imaam al-Husayn. One who engages in it twice becomes equal in status to Imaam al-Hasan. The one who performs it three times reaches the position of Imaam Alee. And he who practices it four times acquires the level and position (equal to that) of the Prophet Muhammad.68 This is the extremism and false nature of the Sheeah scholars wherein they attribute clear lies about religion. The extremity
66 67
Furoo al-Kaafee, Vol. 2 , p.191 Both of these quotes are from: Kashaanee in Tafseer Minhaj us-Saadiqeen (Tehraan: Daar Kutub Islamiyyah, 1396 A.H.), p. 356-357. This is one of the most famous and respected Sheeah commentaries on the Quraan. 68 ibid. p.356 __________________________________________________________________________________ 48 SalafiManhaj 2004
should be quite clear to the reader of the kind of people who are being questioned. There is no evidence for such nonsense, clear fabrications and so is it any wonder that we find the Ahl ul-Bayt condemning the Sheeah in the ways they did. The reader can decide if this is Islaam or not. Dr. Ahmad Abdullah Salaamah has also noted that the Sheeah books of jurisprudence carry separate chapters entitled Iaarat ul-Furooj. Which can be translated as The Loaning of Vaginas. Under this heading, Sheeah Imaams have discussed the various conditions under which a woman can be temporarily given to another person. The books give details as to how a woman can be loaned only for the pleasure of seeing her naked body, enjoying her kisses or for the pleasure of having sexual intercourse with her.69 Most of these citations are from works which the Sheeah consider the most authentic. For example, Tafseer Minhaj us69
Saadiqeen is one of the earliest Sheeah commentaries on the Quraan and Furoo al-Kaafee is the most fundamental and original source of Sheeah traditions. Thus, the reader must be fair and decide if this knowledge is from the Quraan. Lastly, would this kind of oppression and vain usage of women for ones impassioned desires establish a society based on piety, righteousness and chastity? Or rather would it open the door to decrepit sexual desires and debauchery with women who have the same status as hired girls? Islaam is clear, as in the light of the Prophetic Sunnah, it abandons Mutah which is regarded as fornication and adultery. Thus Dr. Salaamah has noted that in India during the epoch of the British, prostitution was legalised and many of the women that were working in the trade were Sheeah women. Maybe these women were tricked into thinking that they were actually doing a pious action!? Furthermore, many people from the Indo-Pakistaan sub-continent testify that a number of Muslim heads of state in undivided India became Sheeah just to satisfy their lusts!
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If an Islamic state is established based upon Sheeah doctrines or if the Sheeah were allowed to practice their religious beliefs, who would administer the religious duty of supplying young girls with which one could engage in Mutah? Would Sheeah elders issue religious fatwas or licences to allow virtuous women to take up the profession of Mutah on a full time basis.? Or would devout Sheeah allow their own wives, mothers, sisters and daughters to participate in the virtues of Mutah in their free time?70
70
ibid. p.20 It should also be noted here that when the Sheeah state was established by al-
Khomaynee in the 1978 revolution, many modernist Muslim organisations who were pursuing their own interests and desires rushed to liase with the Sheeah Mullahs. Thus, misguided organisations such as Ikhwaan ul-Muslimeen (Muslim Brotherhood) went to Iraan to give their support. Also Hizb ut-Tahreer, who allow Sheeahs into their hizb, even asked al-Khomaynee the Sheeah to set up their model of an Islamic state! (See: Al-Khilafah Magazine; Number 18; Friday 2nd January/1410 A.H.).
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permissible to engage in Mutah with a fornicator woman but with a disliking in (ones) heart, especially if she is a well known and professional fornicator. When a person contracts Mutah with her, he should advise her to quit the profession of fornication.71
In other words a man should first commit Zinaa with a whore and then after the Zinaa advise her to stop making Zinaa!? Could this really be Islaam? Isnt it clear what Islaam is? At least in Islaam you just admit that its a sin and make Tawbah and that you were weak in Eemaan! But to change Islaam in order to fit into mans own desires and caprices is to allow Shaytaan to confuse humanity. Conclusion The conclusions for the noble reader are on the following issues:
1. The polytheism of the Sheeah religion and the taking of Imaams as demi-gods. 2. The Sheeah position on the Sahaabah which regards them as being disbelievers except for seven at the most, out of ten thousand! 3. The fact that the Ahl ul-Bayt did not call to this kind of understanding, and in fact the Ahl ul-Bayt refuted the Sheeah. 4. The Sheeah rejection of the Sunnah even though the Ahl ul-Bayt adhered to it and asked people to adhere to it. 5. Mutah, which speaks for itself. 6. The Jewish origins of many Sheeah practices, this is particularly evident with their Imaam system which many scholars have drawn parallels with Jewish Rabbinical systems. This has been noted by Ibn Taymiyyah,72 Ibn Abdur-Rabbihee,73 the great Arabic linguist of Andalus (d. 328 A.H./939 C.E.), Abdul-Azeez Sachendina74 and
al-Khomaynee, Tahreer al-Waseelah (Najaf: Matbaah al-Adab, 1390 A.H) This is a voluminous work on Sheeah jurisprudence by the late Sheeah leader of the Iraanian revolution. It consists of two volumes, consisting of 656 and 650 pages respectively. 72 In Minhaj us-Sunnah 73 In Iqd ul-Fareed, which cites a list of similarities attributed to Aameer ibn Shahrahbil ibn AbdusShabee (d. 103 A.H./722 C.E.), a well respected hadeeth narrator from Koofah. 74 See Islamic Messianism (pp.83-93) and Just Ruler (pp. 98, 99, 173). Abdul-Aziz Sachedina has noted how both Judaism and the Sheeah religion both expect an awaited leader who will deliver them from oppression. Sachedina also quotes a Sheeee jurist named Najafee who stated If a faqeeh (jurist) who was appointed by the Imaam on the basis of general permission, is appointed a Sultaan or Haakim for __________________________________________________________________________________ 53 SalafiManhaj 2004
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an American graduate of the Islamic University of Madeenah, Aboo Usaamah Khaleefah adh-Dhahabee.75 7. The wholesale fabrication of ahaadeeth attributed to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wassallam) and the Ahl ul-Bayt. There is also no scrupulous checking as is the case with the Muslim scholars of hadeeth. 8. The integration of Zoroastrian and other pagan Persian religious and gnosis concepts into the Sheeah religion. 9. The historical development of even more heretical religions emerging out from the Sheeah. 10. The fact that the consensus of Sheeah scholars hold that the Quraan has been changed. A famous and respected Sheeee scholar from Najaf, Mirza Husayn bin Muhammad at-Tabarsee in 1865 C.E. wrote the book Fasl al-Khitaab fee Ithbaat Tahreef Kitaab Rabb al-Arbaab/A Decisive Statement Concerning Proof of the Alteration of the Lord of Lords Book (the Quraan). When this book was discovered by the Christian missionaries and the Western Orientalists they were delighted to have found a work that could aid their vain attempts to discredit
the people, there will be no unjust rulers, as was the case with the Children of Israel. (Just Ruler, p.208) __________________________________________________________________________________ 54 SalafiManhaj 2004
Islaam. In the book, at-Tabarsee compiled hundreds of texts written by Sheeee scholars in different ages alleging hat the Quraan is incomplete.76 11. The Sheeee approval of lying and deception, called Taqiyah. This is a Sheeee fraud thereby they can conceal their religion from Muslims so as to trick them. Khomaynee advised Sheeah to do this and it can also be found in the works of other Sheeee scholars.77 It is clear however that dishonesty, cheating and chicanery are not praised in the Quraan, yet the Sheeah have sought to allow it?! Most average people who are born into the Sheeah faith are not aware of this aspect of the Sheeah way of life as they quite openly say that they are Sheeah, unaware of the machinations of those who are deemed as knowledgeable about the Sheeah religion.
75 76
Refer to the lecture Similarities between the Jews and Sheeah. See: Muhibbudeen al-Khateeb, Khutoot al-Areedah (Canada: Majlis ul-Haqq), 1983, p.4 77 See The Mirage in Iran (Saraab fee Iraan) for more on this. __________________________________________________________________________________ 55 SalafiManhaj 2004
As stated in the beginning of this study of the Sheeah belief system, this work should not be seen as an empty simplistic attack or vilification on individuals that are merely sincerely searching for some truth and clarity about the Sheeah beliefs. This work has attempted not to be biased at all here and sources have thus been quoted that Sheeah scholars and learned regard as the most authoritative texts. We are not interested in creating hatred, as exhibited by many ignorant Sunni Muslims. It is hoped however, that some facts about the Sheeah that are hidden from the masses of people can be presented. There are many extremist Sheeah websites that are attempting to discredit the Quraan, Sunnah and way of the early Muslims (Salaf us-Saalih), and are not concerned with dealing with the very important issues that have been highlighted in this study.
Many of these websites, such as the Answering Ansar website for example, use many obscure and unknown Sheeee scholars of India as the basis of their arguments and thus render their arguments quite weak. Websites such as Answering Ansar and the al-Islam website serve as an excellent example of how many extremist Sheeah are ignorant of their own source texts and books, unaware of the classical writings of Sheeah scholars of Iraan and Iraaq. The reasons for this denial of the content of the Sheeah texts can be either due to ignorance or, as we now know about the Sheeah, the fraud known as Taqiyah (deception, lying and chicanery). As for the likes of Jafer Subhani, Hamid Algar and other Sheeah that have feebly attempted to refute the Dawah to the Quraan, Sunnah and way of the Salaf us-Saalih, which they call Wahhabism, then the basis of their arguments are indeed very weak and lack concise evidences.