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Would you prefer to work toward common goals with someone very different from yourself, or would you align yourself with someone who has similar values and goals, but despises you and your group?

Assalamu alaikum, I converted to Islam from Protestant Christianity and I have practiced Islam since June 2001 as Allah as willed. I have typically considered myself as being a Sunni due to the sources of my Islamic knowledge and the Muslims ho I have associated with. I have long had an issue with the conflict between Ali and Muawiyah and have been troubled how I perceive Sunni Muslims as silently accept Muawiyah and Yazid as legitimate rulers and refuse any negative talk about them or their rule. I have read a few books that have given me an understanding on the Sunni-Shi'a split. These books are: 1) "Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World through Islamic Eyes" by Tamim Ansary, 2) "After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam" by Lesley Hazleton, and 3) "Nahjul-Balagha: Path of Eloquence" by Ali ibn Abu Talib and translated by Yasin T. al-Jibouri. As a result of reading these books, I believe that Ali was the rightful successor to Muhammad (saaws) and that his right to lead the Muslim Ummah was usurped by others from the very beginning.However, I also see that rather than rebel against the first three "elected" caliphs, Ali accepted their leadership albeit reluctantly, especially at the beginning. I see that Abu Bakr and Umar reasonably adhered to Islamic principles, but that the rule under Uthman became corrupted with gross nepotism and injustice under the influence of Marwan. I see that Ali was finally chosen as the fourth Caliph but that he was unjustly opposed by Aisha, Talha, Zubayr and Muawiyah who rebelled against him and they were responsible for Muslims shedding the blood of other Muslims. From what I know of the life of Ali and his son Husayn, I see strong consistency with my understanding of the Islam practiced by Muhammad while my perception of the lives and rule of Muawiyah and his son Yazid is the very antithesis of Islam and more representative of those rich Meccan rulers who opposed Muhammad (saaws). This is the essence of my present internal struggle. I know little about the Shi'a practice of Islam, but I see Ali as being a wealth of knowledge that is largely ignored in Sunni Islam. I am interested in learning more about the differences between Sunni and Shi'a so that I can make an informed decision as to whether I want to stay Sunni or become a Shi'a. I understand there is a difference between Sunni and Shi'a in the athan, 3 versus 5 daily salah, the mourning of Husayn's martyrdom, question of Ali's receiving secret knowledge from Muhammad as he was dying, temporary marriage, infallibility and inspiration of the 12 Imams, etc. I will appreciate open and honest discussions to help me in my decision.

Salam, I have observed different ways how Shiite end up Salah. end up with assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah... and supplement with Allah akbar thrice alongside raising both hands end up with assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah... and supplement with Allah akbar thrice alongside raising both hands + second and third "Allah akbar and raising hands" is accompanied by successive turning of face right and left end up with assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah seeing on right side only... and supplement with Allah akbar thrice alongside raising both hands facing front (qibla) Please share what is right and most authentic, and if right thing is missing from above, I want to know that and correct my way of doing so. Jazakum Allah

Asalamu alaikum brothers and sisters, i hope your day has been great. i am 17 years old and many friends ask me what the difference between shia and sunni? i know to some extent, but sometimes i dont want to say something offensive or come off offensive. so could you guys please teach me how to answer without sounding rude, offensive and explain in a calm manner. Thank you

Assalam o alaikum... My husband to be is 12 years older than me..does our society and culture accept this much age dufference ? and what Islam say about age gap bw husband and wife? should I have to worry about it?

Salam alaikum brothers and sisters What are you doing to make the world a better place? Does your job/career benefit humanity or the earth? Do you volunteer? Do you write books, blog, or create art? Something else? I'll be honest, I'm not doing anything really big these days, I'm just taking care of my family and volunteering as a moderator on shiachat, but I'd like to do more. I'm looking for ideas. Also, what can we do to eliminate hate, to eliminate greed, to eliminate the "us versus them" mentality? Ideas?

Assalam O Alaikum! I want to understand the difference between Zakat and Khums with Reference to Quran and Hadith. If there are different opinions on Zakat and Khums, please do share! I am here with the purpose of learning and understanding. Kind regards, Muhammad Danial

Sallam, Where is the divergence between in Imams and Prophets? As far as I know, Prophets and Imams share the following: -Both can perform miracles -Both recieve revelation from an angel -Both are infalliable -Both know from Allah's knowledge (ilm-ul-ghayb) -Both are hujjah -Both can narrate hadiths and decide judgement -Both are divinely chosen There may be some I've forgotten to mention, but this strikes me as same perks under different title. I'm sure this is a cliche Sunni argument, so a short answer and a list of differences is all i need. Wassallam.

There is a question: As a Sunni Muslim can you explain what Shia Muslims believe and why? My Humble response to the question is: It is worthwhile to note that the question posed seems loose and general; for it includes too many conflicting issues that cannot be addressed properly and briefly. Anyhow, Islam is the last divinely-sent religion. Shia and Sunni Muslims are the two main and major streams of Islam on the whole. During the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family), all Arab tribes had gathered under the umbrella of Prophet and had relatively forgotten their ancestors' tribal and historical hostile rivalries. Unfortunately, with the sad demise of the founder of Islam, the Muslims got split into two main factions: A) Those companions of the Prophet who supported successorship of Ali b. Talib and saw him the most competent, knowledgeable and pious figure to be the Muslim leader. They were of the view that it was Ali b. Talib who was explicitly designated by the Prophet some 70 or 84 days earlier as his legitimate successor. He was to play the different roles of a spiritual guide, a religious authority and a political leader for the whole Muslim community. B) Those who clustered around the first and second caliphs i.e. Abubakr and Omar assuming that their Prophet did not appoint anyone to be a spiritual and political guide for his community. When the political leadership of the community experienced a major shift to figures other than Ali b. Talib, the family of the Prophet (a.s) and the close partisans of Ali were isolated and the mass were too deprived of their true and precise interpretation of Islamic teachings. Later on, Muslim community went through internecine civil wars which deepened their division extensively and deeply. Anyhow, the issue of leadership and the question as to who should control the political power ignited the flame of discrepancy among the Muslims. Another main reason for the difference between the Shia and Sunni accounts of Islamic teachings is the sources to which their theological, jurisprudential and political answers and perspectives rely upon. To the Shiites, beside the Quran, Sunnah and intellect, it is their infallible Imams' sublime characters that are considered to be the legitimate sources of deducing religious rulings. Whereas to the Sunnites, the case is a bit different because to them beside the Quran and Sunnah, it is the Prophet’s Companions and (Aisha) -one among many wives of the Prophet-, who play a decisive part in forming the structure of their theological, political and jurisprudential teachings. Their theory of "the justice of companions" can be seen closely similar and as a parallel to that of their Shiite counterparts' belief. To the Shiites, their Imams are infallible and can provide inerrant interpretations of the whole Islamic teachings. Those who are interested to conduct comparative studies of inter-faith complicated issues, should master in different fields of studies such as theology, jurisprudence, history and so on and so forth. Moreover, they have to get rid of declaring shallow, outdated and dangerous verdicts that can lead to aimless and endless civil-religious wars in the Muslim World. The internecine wars that would have no winner at all save weakening one another. Thanks May God Bless Us All to Be Resurrected with our Noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him, his Family and his Elect Companions.

Salam Alaykum, What is the difference between the Seveners and the Nizaris? Or are they the same? I must apologize for the low-quality of sources, but I've read some rather conflicting information. For example, the Wikipedia article Isma'ilism lists the Nizaris and the Seveners under separate subsections . Moreover, the latter is categorized under the Extinct branches section. The article goes as follows: I'd advice caution, since the insertion doesn't have any references. Moreover, Garcia (2006) has came out with the following chart where Seveners and Nizaris are listed separately. The reliability of the source can be questioned, though: However, there are sources that imply otherwise.For example, both Erde & Steinbach (2010) and Hendricks (2005) imply that the Seveners still do exist in the modern world. Well, these two are quality sources, but just not to let you too easy — my brothers — the Wikipedia article on the Seveners states: Again, just like with the Wikipedia article on Isma'ilism, I'd advise to caution: this insertion doesn't have any references either, but it manages to cast a doubt — if it's true — on Erde & Steinbach (2010) and Hendricks (2005); were they talking about the Nizaris or whom? I hope you endure through the confusion with me, brothers :-) Thanks! Sources Ende W. & Steinbach, U. (2010). Islam in the World Today: A Handbook of Politics, Religion, Culture, and Society, p. 260: "Afganistan is home to both Twelver Shi'a (the majority) and Sevener Ismailis (a minority), together making up over 20 percent of the country population." Garcia, L. (2016). The Assassins — the Legacy of Medieval Terrorist-Murderers. History Sifter 26.02.2016. Hendricks, S. (2005). Tasawwuf (Sufism): Its Role and Impact on the Culture of Cape Islam, pp. 112-113: "Pockets of various Shi'ite sects however - particularly the Isma'ilis, or Seveners - do exist in all the major centres along the East African coast (Trimingham, 1962:104-8)."

One of the missions of the Quran is resolving disputes and judge between people ,this is meaning of (فصل الخطاب)final speak/clear judge . وَمَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ إِلَّا لِتُبَيِّنَ لَهُمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ ۙ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ "We did not send down the Book to you except [for the purpose] that you may clarify for them what they differ about, and as a guidance and mercy for a people who have faith." [16.64] There was a dispute about creation of human embryos In the ancient world .some of the scientists believed that humans only formed by man'semen and woman has no semen .Other like Aristotle said that the embryo created from menstrual blood and there is no role for semen in forming embryo . Holy Quran judges between 2 groups and says:( إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَاهُ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا ) "Indeed We created man from the drop of a mixed fluid so that We may put him to test, so We endowed with hearing and sight. "[76.2] And prophet (peace be upon him&ch) says to a Jew when Jew asked about creation of human being : "Hey Jew, all created from the sperm of men and women sperm" Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad. For more info refer http://vb.3dlat.net/showthread.php?t=60257

SalamAlaikum, I am currently reading topics on Islamic hermeneutics, i.e. interpretation of the religious scripture, Quran. What is the difference between Islamic hermeneutics and TAFSEER? IHH