Ansar Shiat Ali

Salamu Alykum. I’m a little late to the party but inshallah Khayr. I used to think about and research this matter a bit on what opinion to hold. I’ll try to keep this simple regarding what I think now: 1. Imamah and Nubuwwah are not to be compared in the sense that one is better than the other. 2. The 12 Imams are greater than the prophets, except their blessed master Muhammad the messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). This is because of the many ahadith that clearly state that the Apostle of Allah and the imams from his progeny صلوات الله عليهم are the most beloved creation to Allah. Also from other proofs such as the mass transmitted narration of ‘Isa (عليه السلام) praying behind our awaited Imam (عجل الله فرجه). 3. The Imams are more knowledgeable than the prophets. Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said to the people, as narrated by Abu Al-Tufayl (ra): ”Ask me! For by Allah, you will not ask me about anything until the day of judgment unless I gave you its answer.” (Tafsir Abd Al-Razzaq, Jami Bayan al-Ilm, Al-Gharat by Al Thaqfi, and many more.) And it is narrated from Imam Abu Abdillah Al-Sadiq (عليه السلام) that he would’ve told Musa and Al Khidr (عليهما السلام) that he is more knowledgeable than both of them. (Basa’ir Al-Darajat, Al-Kafi). Among many other narrations that clearly prove this. Wasalam.

You’d probably have to think about which of them were the closest to Imami Shiism. I would probably say the Mu’tazili school of Baghdad. People like Ibn Abi al-Hadid and the earlier Baghdadi Mu’tazilah whose opinions he lists in his Sharh Nahj Al-Balaghah. Wasalam.

Wa alykum Al Salam and thank you very much. I hadn’t been on since the days of the Covid lockdown. I’d agree that it’s not as active as much as it was during then, or last decade. But that’s just a reality for most forums that aren’t gaming related. Jazakumallah Khayr.

Salamu Alykum. It shouldn’t be expected of the entire world or the majority of people we know to be perfect angels. It is as we read in the clear Quran: ‫إِنَّ ٱلنَّفۡسَ لَأَمَّارَةُۢ بِٱلسُّوۤءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّیۤۚ إِنَّ رَبِّی غَفُورࣱ رَّحِیمࣱ﴿ ٥٣ ﴾‬ For man’s very soul incites him to evil unless my Lord shows mercy: He is most forgiving, most merciful. Yūsuf, Ayah 53. A soul that doesn’t incite to evil is a soul that has good character. Try to surround yourself with such. Imam Zayn Al Abideen (عليه السلام) says in Dua Abu Hamzah Al Thumali when listing out things that could cause Allah to take away goodness from him and his actions: “Or perhaps You saw me standing among the liars, so You rejected me. Or perhaps You found me ungrateful for Your blessings, so You deprived me. Or perhaps You did not find me among the gatherings of the scholars, so You abandoned me. Or perhaps You saw me among the heedless, so You made me despair of Your mercy. Or perhaps You saw me frequenting the company of the idle, so You left me among them.” And peace be upon you and every Muslim.

Wa alykum Al Salam. This question can be answered in two ways. Firstly, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) says in the honorable Quran that he is establishing a successive authority on the earth in the story of Adam (عليه السلام) in Surat Al Baqarah. Knowing that an established authority, by Allah, is successive, the reason as to why the condition of one authority might be different doesn’t concern us. The second answer is what Imam al Mahdi (عجل الله تعالى فرجه الشريف) said in one of his authentic letters to a Shia that wrote the same question. “As for the reason behind what has occurred regarding the occultation, Allah, the Almighty, says: 'O you who have believed, do not ask about things that, if they are shown to you, will distress you.' Indeed, every one of my forefathers had a pledge imposed upon him by the tyrant of his time, and I am emerging as they emerged, without pledging allegiance to any of the tyrants. As for the benefit during my occultation, it is like benefiting from the sun when it is concealed by clouds from the sight. I am a sanctuary for the people of the Earth just as the stars are a sanctuary for the people of the heavens. Therefore, refrain from asking about matters that do not concern you, and do not burden yourselves with what you have been relieved of. Increase in supplication for the hastening of the Relief (Faraj), for it is your salvation.” (Kitab Al Ghaybah, by Al Tusi)

The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said: “Indeed, Allah has granted my brother, Ali, countless virtues that cannot be enumerated. Whoever mentions a virtue of his, acknowledging it, Allah will forgive their past and future sins. Whoever writes down a virtue of his, the angels will continue to seek forgiveness for them as long as that writing remains. Whoever listens to a virtue of his, Allah will forgive the sins they have committed through listening. And whoever looks at a book containing his virtues, Allah will forgive the sins they have committed through looking.” Then he (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said: “Looking at my brother, Ali ibn Abi Talib, is an act of worship. Mentioning him is an act of worship. And Allah does not accept the faith of any servant except through his allegiance and disavowal of his enemies.” (Manaqib Al Khawarizmi)

Hi everyone Salamu Alykum! It’s been a couple years . I hope you all are doing well and staying safe and sound. I’d firstly like to apologize if I’m posting this topic in the wrong section, it’s been some time. Someone catch me up! What catches steam these days on the best forum to ever grace the internet? Though I was an ignorant and arrogant young teen back then, look at where time has put us now! Allah bless everyone on the forum since its beginning until now because they have helped in some way! Especially the blessed brothers and sisters that knocked sense into me when I became arrogant or delusional. May Allah bless you all!

Funny enough, I established to this same person that this narration is a fabrication according to both Sunni and Shia standards. Must we go through this every time? Also, to use Nahj al-Balagha (wallah this person hasn't read the whole thing) is funny. I think any person with a working mind would take the Mu'tabar narration of Shaqshaqiyyah than the fabrications of Sayf Ibn Umar al-Zindeeq. As for Ghadir and the word Mawla, looking at the hadith and its context, the meaning of Mawla is very clear. I would like to start off by quoting a part of a verse of the Quran: النَّبِيُّ أَوْلَىٰ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ ۖ وَأَزْوَاجُهُ أُمَّهَاتُهُمْ ۗ The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, In the footnote of Sahih International for this verse, they say: He (ﷺ) is more worthy of their obedience and loyalty and is more concerned for them than they are for one another. So, this verse means that the Prophet (صل الله عليه وآله) has more authority of the Believers than themselves. To support and strengthen this view even more, I will quote the best tafsir (according to Ibn Taymiyyah), Tafsir Muhammad Ibn Jarir al-Tabari. We read in Tafsir al-Tabari, Vol. 19, pg. 14-15: He (سبحانه وتعالى) says, {The Prophet} Muhammad {Has more authority over the believers}. He (Allah) means/says that he (The Prophet) has more right over them than themselves to rule over them with any ruling. I will also quote their highly respected scholar, al-Baghawi, specifically what he has to say about the meaning of this blessed verse. We read in Tafsir al-Baghawi, Vol. 6, pg. 318: His words (سبحانه وتعالى), {The Prophet has more authority over the Believers than themselves}, meaning he (صل الله عليه وآله) has it (authority over them) than they do over themselves when it comes to his orders/commands, and the obligation of their obedience (to the Prophet). There are also other scholars, such as Ibn al-Jawzi in his Zaad al-Maseer, who say something along these lines. Now that we have solidified what this means, let’s move on to the hadith itself. We read in Kashf al-Astar, by al-Haythemi, Vol. 3, pg. 191: From Ali (عليه السلام) that he said, “I swear by Allah to a man who heard Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) say on the day of Ghadir Khum when he stood up!” So 13 men stood up and they bared witness that Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) said, “Do I not have more authority over the believers than themselves?” So they said, “Yes o’ Messenger of Allah!” So he took the hand of Ali and said, “Whoever I am his master then he (Ali) is his master. O’ Allah be an ally if his ally and an enemy of his enemy. And love those who love him and hate those who hate him. And help those who help him and abandon those who abandon him.” In the footnote it says: al-Haythemi said, “al-Bazar narrated it and its rijal (narrators) are the rijal (narrators) of the Sahih (al-Bukhari) except Fitr Ibn Khalifah but he is thiqah/trustworthy.” We also read in Musnad Ahmed Ibn Hanbel, Vol. 32, pg. 55-56: From Abu al-Tufayl that Ali (عليه السلام) gathered the people in the Rahbah and said to them, “I swear by Allah to every Muslim person who heard Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) on the day of Ghadir Khum when he stood up!” So 30 people stood up. They bared witness that when he (صل الله عليه وآله) took him by the hand, he said to the people, “Do you know that I have more authority over the Believers than themselves?” So they said, “Yes o’ Messenger of Allah.” So he (صل الله عليه وآله) said, “Whoever I am his master, then he (Ali) is his master. O’ Allah be an ally of his ally and an enemy of his enemy.” He (Abu al-Tufayl) said, “So I left and it’s as if there was something in myself [against it]. So I met Zayd Ibn Arqem and I said to him, ‘I heard Ali say such-and-such!’ He (Zayd) said, ‘Why do you reject? I heard Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) say that!’” The footnote says: Its chain is Sahih/authentic. Firstly, Notice how at the beginning, Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) reminds the people of his authority over them, then he describes Ali (عليه السلام) with a word that is mostly used to describe people with a type of authority. Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) is basically saying in a sense, ‘Whoever I have authority over, then Ali has authority over them as well.’ Secondly, why was Abu al-Tufayl (رضي الله عنه) shocked when he first heard the blessed words of Rasul Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) being narrated by multiple companions؟ If it just meant friend, why would Abu al-Tufayl (رضي الله عنه) be shocked? The intention of Ali (عليه السلام) and his companions for narrating this hadith is not to tell a bunch of people that he is their friend. Rather, he was reminding them of the will of Rasul Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to the people at Ghadir Khum that the people forgot. Thirdly, why is Ali (عليه السلام) asking people to bear witness to the events of Ghadir Khum during his time as a political leader? To remind the people that he is their friend? Of course not! Amir al-Mu’mineen (عليه السلام) was trying to remind the people that whatever authority the Messenger of Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) had/has over them, Ali (عليه السلام) has the same authority. An example of this can be found outside of the event of Ghadir Khum. For example, we read in al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, Vol. 3, pg. 131: From Abu Dhar (عليه السلام) that Rasul Allah (صل الله عليه وآله) said, “Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah. And who disobeys me has disobeyed Allah. And whoever obeys Ali (عليه السلام) has obeyed me. And whoever disobeys Ali (عليه السلام) has disobeyed me.” Al-Hakim grades this hadith as authentic and al-Dhahabi agrees. Now, for my extra 10 cents about this topic, there seems to be a misconception going around between the laymen of the Shia and the "scholars" of the Sunni and the people that parrot these "scholars" that Ghadir Khum is one of the only, if not, the only proof the Shia have for the Khilafah of Ali (عليه السلام) after Rasul Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). So I will leave you all with this and my Dua for you all: From Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) that Rasul Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) said to Ali (عليه السلام), "You are to me like Harun was to Musa (عليهما السلام) except that you are not a prophet. And you the Khalifah of every believer after me." The footnote says: Its chain is sound/good (Hasan). (Al-Sunnah, by Ibn Abi A'sim, Vol. 2, pg. 799-800) Certainly Allah and his Messenger have told the truth. صدق الله ورسوله وصل الله على محمد وآله الطاهرين الاخيار وسلم تسليما

This year is flying away like birds. It seems like yesterday was New Years Eve.

Salamu Alykum. His poetry is indeed very nice. If only those same words weren't just words, but also his beliefs.

In the case of what we are unsure of, Allah knows best. Allah bless you. Wasalam

Salamu Alykum. When it comes to this "British Shiism", I don't think it's a good take from either side. I think this thing of giving modern day Shia Muslim figures the "MI6/CIA or he is a western spy" stamp is not good at all. If you think that disunity is happening in the Ummah, you don't respond by causing more disunity. The disunity in this case is caused by attacking a well respected Marja such as Sayyid Sadiq al-Shirazi (حفظه الله). I, in no means follow Sayyid Sadiq (I am actually a firm follower of Wilayat al-Faqih and Sayyid Ali Khamenei), but I do acknowledge that thousands of our Shia brothers and sisters follow him. As for Sayyid Ammar, he may have some iffy views and he may have said some iffy things, by I still wouldn't take him out of the fold of Shiism and call him a spy for the British government. Like you really have to be joking when you say he is a spy right? I wonder how an MI6 agent for the British government can get a selfie with Iran's [former] president. Allah bless you all, wasalam.

وَيَقُولُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا أُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۗ إِنَّمَا أَنتَ مُنذِرٌ ۖ وَلِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ (7) Sahih International: And those who disbelieved say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" You are only a warner, and for every people is a guide. (Quran 13:7) Look into Tafsir (specifically the Tafsir of Ibn Jarir al-Tabari because he is ur best) on what the guide is and who he is. After that we can walk some baby steps. Also look at the verse where Allah says he has established a Caliph on the Earth.

I really love forums, especially back in the day when they were very active. It was very good to hear the ideas of many people Alhamdulillah.

@Debate follower Salam. I actually really love that you ignored the point that I made. Clearly Nahj al-Balagha was not written for authenticity and what I quoted from Qabasat Ilm al-Rijal proves this. What I wanted to show is that just because it's in Nahj al-Balagha doesn't mean it's hujjah, bring the original source when you want to quote it. Since you do seem very confident and happy that you quoted a Khutbah fabricated by a Zindeeq/Heretic (Sayf Ibn Umar al-Tamimi), so give yourself a pat on the back. الحمد لله رب العالمين وصل الله على محمد وآل محمد Wa Salamu Alykum wa Rahmat Allah