Peshawar Nights Flashcards
That is very interesting. It sounds like the Prophet had recognised this group, as well as appreciated and praised this group often. Sakina, Can you tell us about it?
From the Shi’a viewpoint, many important scholars have shared key statements from the Prophet Muhammad about shia of Imam Ali. One example is when the Prophet was close to death, he rested on Imam Ali’s chest and shared a message about his followers in which he mentioned a verse from the Quran (Surah Al-Bayyina 98:7). “’ Those who believe and do good deeds, it is they who are the best of creatures.’”
On another occasion, the prophet also “O ‘Ali, you and your ‘Shi’as’ are the best of created beings.
You and your Shi’as will come on the Day of Judgement in such a condition that all of you will be pleased with Allah, and Allah will be pleased with you.”
All the above mentioned scholars represent Shiism, How can you prove this from a Sunni source ?
In the ‘Mawaddatu’l-Qurba’, The approved sunni book, another hadith is mentioned. The Prophet said: “O ‘Ali, on the Day of Judgement, you and your Shi’as will come before Allah fully satisfied and pleased, while your enemy will come in grief and with hands bound.”
Furthermore, Hafiz Abu Hatim Razi’s work, states that “Shi’as” was the first new term accepted in Islam, and the word was applied to four prominent companions: Abu Dharr Ghifari, Salman al-Farsi, Miqdad ibn Aswad Kindi, and Ammar Yasir. Think about how four of the Prophet’s main companions were called Shi’as during his time.
I wasn’t aware of that before. These names are of the companions who were honored by the Peophet. Am I right?
Yes, there’s a hadith narrated by Tirmidhi who is the author of one of the sihah al sittah(the six books considered sahih/correct by the sunnis) where the Holy Prophet(saww) said that Verily, Allah has commanded me to love four people and has told me that He loves them. When the people asked who these four were, he said : “‘Ali ibn Abu Talib, Abu Dharr, Miqdad, and Salman.” There’s also a well know hadith about the Holy Prophet(saww) saying that Verily, my companions are like stars; whomever of them you follow, you will be properly guided. According to the historian Abu’l Fida, these were the companions who refused to pay allegiance to Abu Bakr after the event of Saqifa. Yet this hadith is used to support the cause of those companions of the Holy Prophet(saww) who not only did not oppose Abu Bakr but were leading participants of Saqifa.
However some people deny that Shi’ism was from the time of the Prophet(saww) and it was a political religion saying the Iranians had to accept Islam in order to save themselves from Arab domination. What would you say for them?
It’s unfair to say that.Iranians are known for thinking deeply and, when they see the truth, they accept it, like they did with Islam after the Arab conquest. Similarly, They recognized Imam ‘Ali’s importance and accepted ‘Shiaism’ Because of this, the second caliph became harsh and imposed restrictions on Iranians and denied them their rights.
Actually, there are many misconceptions about the spread of Shi’ism in Iran. Many writers claim that Iranians accepted Imam ‘Ali during the caliphates of Harun who was called Al-Rashid or his son Mamun , but that’s not true. They accepted Imam ‘Ali during the time of the Holy Prophet. Salman al-Farsi was a devoted follower of Imam ‘Ali and reached a high level of faith. We have just mentioned his merits so we know following him means we are on the right path.
Yes. Would you say that these blind prejudices were a result of the Arabs viewing themselves superior to the Iranians since a lot of people are particularly against shi’ism cause they think it’s an Iranian religion? What are your thoughts on this, Sakina?
Majority of Iranians accepting the religion shouldn’t be the criteria of truth. Islam doesn’t care for matters such as lineage and even prohibits us from boasting about our ancestors. In the Holy Quran, Allah (swt) has said that ‘O men! Surely, we have created you of a male and a female and made you tribes and families that you may know each other; surely the most honourable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty).’ (49:13). And our Holy Prophet (saww) has taught us that “The Arabs should not boast that they are superior to non-Arabs and vice versa; and the whites should not boast of their superiority to the blacks and vice versa. Superiority lies only in knowledge and piety’’. If we look further into his life, the Holy prophet showed his special affection for Salman al-Farsi, Suhaib of Asia Minor, and Bilal of Abyssinia and rejected his own uncle, Abu Lahab.
Yes, judging whether or not something is true shouldn’t be based on ethnicity. However this practice is still prevalent in modern world especially the west which is very unfortunate.
Yes, Due to the racial discrimination in Western countries, the world has faced a lot of challenges. Black people were prohibited from entering hotels, restaurants, churches, and other establishments intended for white people in those countries. Islam, on the other hand, declared that all Muslims, regardless of race, colour, or nationality, are brothers and outlawed such cruel practices many years ago. This is the reason why Sayyid Shirazi (the scholar who went to India) supports the Iranian Shi’as and condemn the Arabs if they stray.
However there are some extremists groups also present in Iran who consider Imam Ali Allah and call themselves shia. Why are the Shias against this group ?
In Shia Islam, we strongly condemn what we call the “Ghulat,” or extremist groups. These groups, like the Saba’iyya, Khitabiyya, and Gharabiyya, among others, have claimed ideas such as Imam Ali being divine or even a manifestation of God. However when we look at the history, Imam Ali(as) himself rejected these views and condemned those who had them. He went as far as ordering severe punishment for some followers who insisted on such claims. Later Imams and scholars, including notable figures like Allama Majlisi, echoed this condemnation, considering these groups as infidels and polytheists. True Shia Islam respects Ali and the Imams within the limits ordained by God and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — maintaining balance without exaggeration.
The extremists cannot claim themselves to be shias because a shia is a person who follows while the beliefs of Imam Ali(as) while extremists opposes the Holy Prophet and Imam Ali(as). Not only did Imam Ali(as) worship Alllah(swt) throughout the nights humbling himself while professing the glory of Allah(swt) but he also opposed the extremists as you mentioned. Once Imam Ali(as) had imprisoned the chief of the extremists for three days and commanded him to repent but when he did not do so, Imam Ali(as) had punished him by burning him to death.
Yes, The above prove the importance of Ahlul bayt especially the part where sending blessings on them is obligatory in prayers. Can you tell us more about it?
Yes. This concept is believed by majority in Islam. Numerous ahadith, including those compiled in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslims, support this. In one narration, the Prophet was asked how to pray for blessings after the revelation of the verse “Verily, Allah and His angels bless the Prophet…” (33:56). “O Allah, bless Muhammad and Ahlul Muhammad,” he commanded. Similar hadith is also recounted by Imam Fakhru’d-din Razi in his book “Tafsir al-Kabir.” Additionally, the Prophet stressed that one should not be “incomplete” in these prayers, suggesting instead that one say, “O Allah, bless Muhammad and his descendants.” Furthermore, the Prophet emphasized the importance of praying for blessings upon himself and his people, as prayers will be blocked without it. This is so essential that the ritual prayer is considered the “pillar of faith,” and if accepted, all actions are accepted.
From the Shi’a viewpoint,
many important scholars have shared key statements from the Prophet Muhammad about shia of Imam Ali. One example is
One example is when
the Prophet was close to death, he rested on Imam Ali’s chest and shared a message about his followers in which he mentioned a verse from the Quran (Surah Al-Bayyina 98:7)
mentioned a verse from the Quran (Surah Al-Bayyina 98:7).
“’ Those who believe and do good deeds, it is they who are the best of creatures.’”
On another occasion,
On another occasion,
the prophet also said that “O ‘Ali, you and your ‘Shi’as’ are the best of created beings.
You and your Shi’as will come on the Day of Judgement in such a condition that all of you will be pleased with Allah, and Allah will be pleased with you.”
In the ‘Mawaddatu’l-Qurba’,
The approved sunni book, another hadith is mentioned. The Prophet said: “O ‘Ali, on the Day of Judgement, you and your Shi’as will come before Allah fully satisfied and pleased, while your enemy will come in grief and with hands bound.”
Furthermore, Hafiz Abu Hatim Razi’s
Furthermore, Hafiz Abu Hatim’s
work, states that “Shi’as” was the first new term accepted in Islam, and the word was applied to four prominent companions
And the word was applied to four prominent companions
Abu Dharr Ghifari, Salman al-Farsi, Miqdad ibn Aswad Kindi, and Ammar Yasir. Think about how four of the Prophet’s main companions were called Shi’as during his time.
Yes, there’s a hadith narrated by
Tirmidhi who is the author of one of the sihah al sittah(the six books considered sahih/correct by the sunnis) where the Holy Prophet(saww) said that Verily, Allah has commanded me to
Verily Allah has commanded me to
love four people and has told me that He loves them. When the people asked who these four were, he said : “‘Ali ibn Abu Talib, Abu Dharr, Miqdad, and Salman.” There’s also a well know hadith about
There’s also a well known hadith about
the Holy Prophet(saww) saying that Verily, my companions are like stars; whomever of them you follow, you will be properly guided. According to the historian Abu’l Fida,
According to the historian Abu’l Fida
these were the companions who refused to pay allegiance to Abu Bakr after the event of Saqifa. Yet this hadith is used to support the cause of those companions of the Holy Prophet(saww) who not only did not oppose Abu Bakr but were leading participants of Saqifa.
