“Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.”
Quran 29:45
The Word Shia and its Meaning from Sunni sources
The term Shia literally means follower. It is a term that Allah used in the Quran to refer to the followers of his Prophets. An example was Prophet Abraham (as) who was mentioned in the Quran specifically as the shia of Noah (as):
“And most surely Abraham was among the Shia of him (Noah)” (Quran 37:83)
Imam Ali (as) said “Allah has favored the word Shia by using it in the Holy Quran. Then verily He says ‘And verily Ibrahim was one of the shia of Noah.’ And you are amongst the shia of Muhammad (sawa). This name is neither restricted to a particular group nor is it a newly adopted religion.” [1]
In another verse, the Quran talks about the Shia of Moses
“And he (Moses) went into the city at a time when people (of the city) were not watching, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his shia and the other being his enemy, and the one who was of his shia cried out to him for help against the one who was of his enemy” (Quran 28:15)
Thus shia is an official word used by Allah in His Quran for His high ranking prophets as well as their followers. This is also a term that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sawa) used for those who had love for Ali (as) and followed him as the successor after the Prophet (sawa).
The Messenger of Allah said to Ali: “Glad tidings O Ali! Verily you, your companions and your Shia (followers) will be in Paradise.”
Sunni references:
- Fadha’il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v2, p655
- Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu’aym, v4, p329
- Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v12, p289
- al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani
- Majma’ al-Zawa’id, by al-Haytami, v10, pp 21-22
- al-Darqunti, who said this tradition has been transmitted via numerous authorities.
- al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haytami , Ch. 11, section 1, p247
Therefore we see the Messenger of Allah (sawa) used to say the phrase “Shia of Ali.”
The Messenger of Allah (sawa) said: “The Shia of Ali are the real victorious on the day of resurrection”
Sunni references:
- al-Manaqib Ahmad, as mentioned in:
- Yanabi al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, p62
The Messenger of Allah said: “O Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your Shia will come toward Allah well pleased and well-pleasing, and there will come to Him your enemies angry and stiff-necked (i.e., their head forced up).
Sunni references:
- al-Tabarani, on the authority of Imam Ali
- al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p236
A more complete version of the tradition, which has also been reported by Sunni narrators, is as follows:
Ibn Abbas narrated: When the verse “Those who believe and do righteous deeds are the best of the creation (Quran 98:7)” was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (sawa) said to Ali: “They are you and your Shia.” He continued: “O Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your Shia will come toward Allah well pleased and well pleasing, and your enemies will come angry with their heads forced up.” Ali (as) said: “Who are my enemies?” The Prophet (sawa) replied: “He who disassociates himself from you and curses you. And glad tiding to those who reach first under the shadow of al-‘Arsh on the day of resurrection.” Ali asked: “Who are they, O the Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Your Shia, O Ali, and those who love you.”
Sunni references:
- al-Hafidh Jamaluddin al-Dharandi, on the authority of Ibn Abbas
- al-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, pp 246-247
Excerpt from Mystery of the Shia by Mateen J. Charbonneau Available at:
[1] Shia Origin and Faith” by Ayatollah Kashif al-Ghita
A Muslim’s Rights
The Prophet (sawa) said: “Every believer has 30 obligations over his brother-in-faith which could not be said to have been met unless he either performs them or is excused from performing them by his brother-in-faith.” (Textbook of Ethics)
1. Forgiving his mistakes
2. Being merciful and kind to him when he is in a foreign land
3. Guarding his secrets
4. Giving him a hand when he is about to fall
5. Accepting his apology
6. Discouraging backbiting about him
7. Persisting in giving him good advice
8. Treasuring his friendship
9. Fulfilling his trust
10. Visiting him when he is ill
11. Being with him at his death
12. Accepting his invitations and presents
13. Returning his favors in the same way
14. Thanking him for his favors
15. Being grateful for his assistance
16. Protecting his honor and property
17. Helping him meet his needs
18. Making an effort to solve his problems
19. Saying to him Yarhamuka Allah (May Allah have mercy on you) when he sneezes
20. Guiding him to the thing he has lost
21. Answering his greeting
22. Taking him at his word
23. Accepting his bestowals
24. Confirming him if he swears to something
25. Being kind and friendly towards him
26. Helping him when he is unjust by stopping him or when he is being a victim of injustice
27. Not being unsympathetic and hostile towards him
28. Refraining from feeling bored and fed up of him
29. Not forsaking him in the midst of troubles
30. Liking for him whatever good you would like for yourself, and disliking for him whatever you would dislike for yourself.
Jami al-Sa’adat (The Collector of Felicities) by Muhammad Mahdi ibn Abi Zarr al-Naraqi pg 37-38 published by Yasin Publications
These are the morals we should live by and the way that we should treat each other. Just imagine if we lived by all of these how much better this world would be. The Prophet (sawa) gave us the remedy for our social problems, but it is up to us to put them into practice.
Excerpt from Mystery of the Shia by Mateen J. Charbonneau Available at:
http://www.yasinpublications.org/book-store/the-mystery-of-the-shia/
mateenjc.com 