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Believe in, act upon, and be what you have your name here. Don't care about what others say or believe about you. All this might be a test of your ikhlās. Though virtual, but still we too are a Shia community here, we believe you to be shia, know you as @Lion of Shia, may Allah make you a Lion of the Shia, āmīn.

You have to internally validate yourself that you are Shia. Internal validation gives you confidence to sustainable action and inner peace. If you seek external validation through other people's option then it will only feel good briefly if/when someone validates you then you will return to shame based thinking that you are not enough and you will seek to overcompensate for for other people's opinion.

Didn't I tell you to avoid going to Sunni masjids years ago? You need to stop caring about what other people think, they don't know your niyyah and heart like Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) does. If you accept these beliefs as truth and with sincerity, you are a Shia. I understand you have a condition and guess what? Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) does too, He is ar-Rahman, He understand your problems more than any of us can, all you have to do is understand and trust in yourself to the best of your abilities. @Lion of Shia

Do you still believe in the Imamate of Amir al-Mu'mineem and his eleven sons, peace be upon them all? Do you believe in the absolute immaculateness of the 14 infallibles? Do you believe in the occultation and return of Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance? Do you act on the fiqh of the Ahl al-Bayt (ie pray and fast as they taught, and desist from what they say is haram and do what they say is halal) and the beliefs taught by them? Do you dissociate from their enemies and curse them? If yes, then you are a Shi'i, and whatever your community says doesn't matter.

Salam Yaanii you keep having these problems. Nobody else can say that you are or aren’t Shia. Shia is one who believes in the unity and justice of Allah the prophet hood of all the prophets and final prophethood of Muhammad sawa the successorship and authority of the 12 imams as and the resurrection at the return and the day of judgment. I would avoid going to the centers of the other school of thought and praying with them because unless there is fear for your life and need to hide your faith, it’s not obligatory. Sayyid Sistani says that praying with them is not necessary, except under duress. Sayyid Khamenei allows congregational prayer with them to show unity in common cause as long as it doesn’t cause a danger to one’s faith. So really in your particular case have no real reason to pray with them and I would avoid going to the two centers in your hometown as they seem to be problematic for There is a center for American born Shia with a white convert clergyman leading it less than two hours on the greyhound from you maybe go there for Friday. Prayers once a month. Focus on getting most of your religious knowledge online through lessons and classes and online interactions. If the community doesn’t accept you, it doesn’t matter this idea. A lot of so-called converts have that the building in the community is everything is ludicrous. If the community is beneficial to, that’s good if not, then be like the profit lot peace be upon him I spend a number of years in a seminary and I don’t even bother with a lot of the communities in this country. It’s a select couple that I’ll actually deal with if I get invited somewhere I go willingly going somewhere on my own. It has to be an actual decent community with good ethics and practice, which is few and far between Please think about what I’m saying what others are probably gonna say to you in six months you don’t have to make another thread like this Wallahu Alam

@notme @Gaius I. Caesar @Ashvazdanghe @Azadeh307 @AbdusSibtayn just a note to everyone else’s participated in this thread the person’s husband by temporary marriage seems extremely unhinged in this long diatribe, but they have published from their discussion last night This is not normal behavior for Arabs, Persians or any Muslim man I’ve ever met or culture I have dealt with Unless I’m wrong, they’re not even in a permanent marriage and he’s speaking like this Sister Sandra, please get out of there immediately. Do not delay. Take what you can get and go call the domestic violence hotline to make a plan. I can’t see that this guy will let you go and just leave it. This seems like this could devolve into an honor situation. Forcing you out of work, forcing you not to have friends or associate with families this is not love. This is isolation. If I’m too old school or unaware of modern thinking which I don’t think please others, let me know I really think this situation is gonna get dangerous for the sister I’m gonna look bad before but the last conversation if that’s 100% what she said he posted this person seems very unhinged Wallahu Alam There is no strength or power save but Allah and him we rely on him we depend

This resistance will keep growing and growing... it will eventually grow into a global movement and will encompass participants from all backgrounds and walks of life... Judaism, Christianity and Sunnism will dissolve and the sincere and righteous adherents of those religions will merge into one and recognize Imam al-Mahdi and the Messiah to be the true callers to truth when they arrive.. Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis etc. will look like amateurs and choir boys compared to their counterparts leading the resistance 30 - 40 years from now... It's either resist or grow comfortable with the reality of working but never owning anything or amounting to anything... Your existence will be depressing and futile... The days of owning land will be over... Feudal futuristic system will emerge... The European nobility and the Zionist elite want to exterminate Asians, Africans, Latin Americans, Arabs, Persians etc. and take their continents and control all the land and utilize all the resources... Only people like Trump, Musk, Rockefeller, Morgan, Carnegie, Gates, Rothschild etc. will be allowed to think freely, own gold and own property... You'll work and be granted digital credit points that you cannot tangibly grasp... You'll never see a silver coin again... Your future consists of living forever in a tiny apartment with a microchip in your brain... the unipolar world government monitoring your every thought... all your movements are observed and stored into a gigantic database... Misbehave and you will be digitally zapped out of existence... Behave and you'll earn brownosing credits with Big Brother... All religions will be banned except Satanism, Zionism and Nazism... you will eating synthetic food and insect-based proteins... you will forced to become homosexual... you will not be allowed to marry and propagate your genepool... most likely you will be living on Mars

Salam currently russia is out of sepher of communist ideas which in similar fashion China barely follows communist ideas which only some conservative Chinese officials has remained loyal to communism while in our time rogue Zionist Israel in cooperation of Pan-Turkism (neo Ottomanism) of Turkey & so called rulers of Azerbaijan have tried to "stamp out tashayyu and azadari in Azerbaijan." while currently Russia & China has no problem with Tashayyu and Azadari even in their countries which problem of China & Russia is with imported radical Wahabism by Turkey & KSA to thier countries which weakness of spreading of Shia Islam in their countries is mostly due to shortcoming of Iran ; which in similar fashion stamping out tashayyu and azadari in Azerbaijan. is due shortcoming of Iran due political reasons which so called reformist party & some seculars are acting as lobby of Azerbaijan in Iran.

Salam. The Qom Seminary Teachers must be approved by the committee. At this moment in time (April 13, 2025) there are six committee members (Maraji) who are the highest ranking in authority and it is allowed for people to choose one to follow. They are: Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei Grand Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Sistani Grand Ayatollah Sayed Musa Shabiri Zanjani Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Hossein Vahid Khorasani Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Nasser Makarem Shirazi Grand Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani https://jameehmodarresin.org/en/imitation-references/

Khojas have their own community. In some places, such as where I live, these communities can be quite insular to outsiders. Converts are practically 'no-man's-land'-ers; new age 'mawali' for all intents and purposes, and not all of us are lucky enough to find patron tribes whose clients we can become. Brother, take this from a fellow convert- every time you feel ostracized, remember the huge boulder on the chest of Bilal (رضي الله عنه) as he cried out 'ahad! ahad!' Remember the taunts faced by Ammar (رضي الله عنه) from the Quraish. Remember the difficulties these two noble souls faced not just from the enemies, but even from their fellow-Muslims. Our ajr is with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). We took the shahadah for His sake, and we love and obey His awliya for His sake. We did not convert for the sake of other people. Even if it is our trial to live the rest of our lives alone, what does it matter? Do not, even for a moment, think that the Imam (aj) cares any less about you. We all have different test and trialsin this world. Maybe this is the test designated for us.

All of those narrations about music and drawing are so clear and horrifying that it amaze me to even think that we can be lenient about listening and making music and seeing draving pictures on Imams (عليه السلام) everywhere in Shia lands.

Wasalam alaikum, AlKhidr, long time no see. Yes, Shia do the five prayers, with the option to combine them. I don't think we need to concern ourselves with Edip Yuksel or Layth, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) will deal with them for distorting the Qur'an as promised: "There is sickness in their hearts, and Allah only lets their sickness increase. They will suffer a painful punishment for their lies. When they are told, “Do not spread corruption in the land,” they reply, “We are only peace-makers!” Indeed, it is they who are the corruptors, but they fail to perceive it. And when they are told, “Believe as others believe,” they reply, “Will we believe as the fools believe?” Indeed, it is they who are fools, but they do not know." (2:10-14) However, with your pandering to the Code-19 theory, it's not like your any better than Edip or Layth; You believe Rashad Khalifa is a prophet. You're better off taking this to Free Minds, Khidr. @ShiaMan14Hey Shiaman, look who's back. It's your best friend.

Many of my friends have asked me to inquire if khums is really 20% of our savings/ income.. as this would be too much meaning that for every 1 lakh , I need to give 20000 as khums. I have asked the same question to "Maulana Ali Raza Rizvi" and his response was that khums is 20% as per the ayat of Quran 8:41. But my question is ayat 8:41 says, if we obtain anything from war booty, it should be 1/5 part of income and we do not have war during this times... Can any one clarify this matter please, about both 20% for Khums and the ayat talking about war booty !! Thank you.

https://www.al-islam.org/nahjul-balagha-part-2-letters-and-sayings/letter-25-instructions-assessors-and-collectors-zakat If khums is greater than zakat then how come Imam Ali does not address it in Nahjul Balagha even once?

Look at the Arabic, this translation has fallen victim to bias. The word Ghanima (war booty) is in there.

If you look at khums from strictly an academic point, it’s current methodology was added much after the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). The scope of khums has been extended over time to adequate the survival of Shiism. I hate how we are given the fairytale that khums was on income during the life of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). That is so false. The income tax in the time of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was zakat as outlined in the Quran several times. I would have no problem giving khums if they were truthful about its history, but you lose trust in such establishment for such deception.

Some of the replies in this thread are basically taking odd positions that some Sunnis might believe and somehow portraying it as the unanimous position of the ahlus sunnah. This approach is dishonest and can easily be used against shi'ism as well. It's like saying 'I reject shi'ism because I don't like cutting myself and cursing the Prophets wives'. If you bring forward an argument please make sure it is consistent, coherent and researched.

I too think that the Shia narrative makes the most sense. Ali ibn Abu Talib(عليه السلام) was appointed by the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) at Ghadir Khumm. Even Sunni Hadiths say that. Abu Bakr grabed the title as caliph at the Saqifah meeting probably because he thought the whole thing would collapse after the death of the Prophet(صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). But maybe that was a part of Gods plan. If the Ahl ul Bayt [except from Ali(عليه السلام) and Hassan(عليه السلام) ] had been caliphs they may not have been so infallible as God intended if they had to deal with secular matters. So instead they could preserve the Sunnah of the Prophet and the knowledge about Islam without any bias from secular power. I generally have nothing against Sunnis unless they are takfiris. I accept that they do things differently and often we can find common ground on different issues. I have no problem praying with Sunni sisters which I have done on several occasions. I have several friends that are Sunni. So I will not say that I reject Sunni Islam or don't accept it. I believe that there is one Islam and what ever differences different madhabs or sects have with one an other, Allah will be the judge of that when the day comes. It is different with modern day politics though. I tend to side with Iran and dislike the Saudis.

Salaam Aleikum, About the the topic, i hope that following statement will not hurt my Shias (and others) Brothers and Sisters, but personally i have lead to my conclusion that these images after all is not good for us. Because these images have caused more negative thoughts than positives. If someone want to remember Imams (as), just remember their messages and acts.

There's no proof of the authenticity of the pictures. So, why the marjas still allows these false pictures?

What a contradiction?? If you believe that they are not of Imams and Holy Prophet, whats the point of hanging There are reasons why paintings/sketching of our Masoomeen have strictly been forbidden First the painters use his/her QIYAS to draw the features of a MASOOM. QIYAS is haram and a Gunah e kabeera according to Imam Raza, ergo sketching a MASOOM's feature is HARAM Second the painters cannot match Allah's creation (Masoom's features) Third the painting/sketch can be used for evil purposes (for example fantasising) W'salam

For me, it' simple. Since no one can proof the accuracy of the ma'sumin pictures, the pictures have no value to me.

They build their faith on weak hadith. The word authentic is not in their dictionary.

If you were really serious about your faith you would question everything until proven authentic. Then that which is authentic you can rely on to form the foundation of your faith. Its shocking at how some communities have picked up different weak/false hadiths/duas and make them into all sorts of rituals, and these are passed on through the generations and practiced as intensely as prayer!

Salaam brother, I thank you for your input on the topic. However, I have a lingering thought.. See, the jinns have created those images for Hazrat Sulayman (as), correct? So why do mere humans think we have the authority to correctly draw the faces (in detail, mind you) of the imams? The jinns were working in accordance to their king and leader, Hazrat Sulayman (as). So why would we even try to attempt such a feat? We all know that jinns are superior than us in many respects.. who are we to, out of our imagination, draw something as noble and beautiful as the Ahlul'Bayt? And mind you, the verse you quoted says images.. but that word can mean many things. Images include many things, including calligraphy, patterned shapes and designs, as well as images of faces of the Ahlul'Bayt. But surely 'images' cannot encompass ALL those things, can it? And the last hadith you mentioned from Mu-Alim ul-Tanzeel.. I find it worth questioning since, today, we don't have images of the prophets or angels in our masjids today, so where did they suddenly disappear to?

*shrugs* Honestly I'm a bit confused... I just thought the rule was simple.. No drawings of Muhammad (pbuh), or any of the religious figures. That's why we don't have any drawings of Muhammad (pbuh)'s face, only an outline of his figure.

Salam Alaykum We say when Infallible Imam is not present we ought to have leaders controlling the community; and who could do it better that the one who is pious and well aware of Shari'a. Who else can do it better? We have a religious society; therefore we need to have leaders who is aware of Shari'a so he can apply its regulation out in the real world. Then leaders like Ayt. Khomeini and Khamenei are the leaders of the community and because of that -as being leaders and in the front position of the community- they may be called Imams (the Arabic meaning of "imam" is the one who is in the front position like Imam Al-jama'at). But if you don't prefer you may say "leader". They don't mean by "Imam" the one who is infallible (masoom), We have only twelve infallible Imams and no one is going achieve that position. and how they can mean it when Ayt. Khomeini and Khamenei -regarding a particular decision- they decided inappropriately and were mistaken. Brother, I feel sure that our common enemy is so eager to infiltrate into Shiites and influence over us. They want to break our example community by this minor problems (that would be easily solved when the meaning of a word became clear).

Once Imam Sadiq (as) was eating food with Abu Hanifa and after finishing, Imam Sadiq (as) expressed gratitude like this: Imam Sadiq (as) “I thank Allah who is the Sustainer of All Worlds, O Allah this was a blessing from You as well as from Your Prophet” Abu Hanifa said: “O Abu AbdAllah! You have include ‘someone else’ along with Allah (azwj).” Imam Sadiq (as) "Be careful and recited verse: [it would've been better] if they had been pleased with what Allah and His Apostle gave them, and had said Allah is sufficient for us 9:59 Allah will give to us out of His grace, and His Apostle. Indeed to Allah do we eagerly turn 9:59 and they were vindictive only because Allah and His Apostle had enriched them out of His grace 9:74 On hearing these verses, Abu Hanifa said “By Allah It seems I have never read or heard someone reciting these Verses of the Quran before.” Imam Sadiq (as) “No, its not like this! You have not only heard but read these verses before. Allah says for you and people like you: Do they not contemplate the Qurʾān, or are there locks on the hearts? 47:24 No indeed! Rather their hearts have been overcast by what they have been earning. 87:14

salaam bro. First what makes you say its not okay? Only ones against this are the ahle sunnah. Allah swt never forbade it? If so where is the proof? The rule is simple drawings are allowed but obviously is not the same person. Or do you think Ben Kingsley in the film Moses is really the prophet in real life? corse not! W.salaam