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Read the Reddit comments to understand what the thread was about, since the post has since been deleted. ....................................................................................... I'm so tired of the utterly nonsensical and VERY COMMON Sunni notion of 'I am happy to seek unity with Shias as long as they don't curse/insult/abuse any Sahaba, and especially NOT Aisha, Abu Bakr, Omar, Uthman. Firstly, any Shia claim regarding the sahabi that happens to go against the Sunni narrative is considered insulting. Secondly, and more importantly, is that the same notion is true for Shias... You are insulting the Ahlul Bayt by not accepting them as divinely appointed leaders of Allah, and infallible individuals, and perfect preservers of the religion of Islam, and a high means of seeking closeness to Allah (intercession). Not only are you insulting revered Shia figures by not following them, you are commiting MAJOR shirk by giving a false attribute to Allah, by saying that Allah has not always appointed an infallible leader on this Earth, and that there currently isn't an infallible leader. Furthermore, the real kicker is that plenty of revered Shia figures, such as Abu Talib (رضي الله عنه), are considered kuffar by Sunnis. Is this not insulting? So, how can we Shias unite with Sunnis based on their own fallacious logic? Shias are the minority, and Sunnis are the majority. It makes Sunnis think that they are Orthodox and that they have to unite with Heterodox for political and humanitarian reasons, and that Shias must make [ridiculous] compromises. Shias are far more receptive to the unity message, because we actually understand Sunni Islam, and can see the commonalities. We understand that we can't make Sunnis compromise on their beliefs. Simply by being the minority within Islam, by nature we Shias already understand Sunni beliefs, whereas Sunnis have a basic strawman understanding of Shia beliefs... which is natural, considering that they are the majority. Anyways, the point of my post is the following: Let's compile a list of revered Shia figures that are not given their proper status by Sunnis, according to Shia Islam... with an explanation given. ...This is to show that we Shias and Sunnis can unite, but we cannot unite upon revered figures and imamah. ...This will also serve as a way of showing Sunnis that this argument of theirs makes no sense. Another important question we may ask is "What about commonly revered figures like Imam Ali (عليه السلام) who is given different status in both sects? Can we unite upon Imam Ali (عليه السلام)?" ...a common Sunni criticism of political unity is that "Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) is given an improper status in Shia religion because they call upon him... tawassul (intercession) of the 'dead' is Shirk! So there is absolutely no room for unity since we can't even agree on the status of the sahabi" [yes, I am aware that the Imams (عليه السلام) are still alive, but Sunnis don't believe this...] I would love to hear your thoughts. Wassalam. JazakAllah Khair. Fi sabilillah.

As-Salam-u-Alaikum everyone, I am currently a Masters by Research student studying the relationship between Sunni and Shia groups in Britain, my research is completely unbiased with no political or religious agenda whatsoever. I myself come from a mixed religious and cultural background and contradicting opinions on religion have been part of my upbringing, as such I very much appreciate a healthy debate. I have focussed on the relationship between Salafi and Shia groups in Britain and how that relationship has potentially evolved since the initial emergence of Salafism in Britain in the 1980s. I wanted to ask the people on this forum for their potential insight into these groups? Particularly what you think may be the biggest influencing factor: whether that might be essential theological differences, international or British politics or societal factors? Again, I would really appreciate any feedback you may have and thank you all in advance. If you would prefer to contact me directly my email address is misha.monaghan.2016@live.rhul.ac.uk Jazakumullahu Khair

https://www.medinaminds.com/wikileaks-us-to-destroy-syria-by-making-it-a-sectarian-conflict/ https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP86T01017R000100770001-5.pdf What i heard is all just deceiving, so i can not state anything. I just a piece of dust of this complicated world.

Please read this article: https://ballandalus.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/the-wahhabi-sack-of-karbala-1802-a-d/ There is always a first time and this is the first time I have read it myself. Is this info reliable?

Salaam, While looking for some material for my research, I have found this interesting blog post of this academic, Dr Marranci, which raises some very relevant issues about attitudes of Muslims towards the horrible situation affecting the Shi'a communities in several countries. I think that the post is worth of sharing and discussing. I find his point about a "globalisation of intolerance" rather interesting. Here the post: Shi'a Muslims: halal meat? wa-salaam

Here is the part 1 to the recent article I came across.... Are we segregated in our own religion? Are we divided over who should have taken over the spread of Islam after the last Prophet? Do we lack the common sense to realize that the purpose of Islam and a true believer is to worship the one true God? Nonetheless, we have allowed ourselves to fight for thousands of years over the succession of our leaders. We seem to forget that no one owns the throne. We continue to fight over internal theology, land, money, and property. In these times, our religion demands unity and clarity of vision and yet, there still exists much inequality and confusion. Two of the biggest sects in Islam that have been in conflict are Sunni & Shi’ite. Let me ask you three questions: Do you pray to Allah? Do you read the Quran? Do you answer to the Adhaan? If both sides agree on these questions then no further justification is necessary. To be a Muslim means to be unified and not divided. Do not worship prophets, imams, and other greats who were sent to portray the ideal example of a true Muslim. The prophets were sent to prove the existence of God (Al-Lah) and chosen to exemplify the highest qualities a human being can possess. They even forbade their own followers from worshipping or idolizing them for they were only men. They reminded us not to focus on their miracles. Miracles would not exist without the power of the Creator. We pray to the one and only, most merciful, most greatest: God. The Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) who was sent to this world as the final Prophet of God, willed that his remaining materials and clothing be burned after his death. He did so to prevent the ignorance of humanity from idolizing or worshipping those meaningless and temporal material things. We are only meant to prostrate to God. No one else is worthy of worship since we all are human and we all are equal. Islam is unity! Islam is peace. Islam is a religion which teaches us to pray for our enemies and those who wrong us for they are in need of the fear and knowledge of God. Islam teaches us to be pious, generous, humble, loving, and to never disrespect other religions, regardless of our differences. Islam teaches us humility, self-control, and understanding the strength of patience. In Islam, just like other religions, there are good and there are bad. I say this in caps, IT IS THE INDIVIDUAL who chooses to do wrong, or chooses to do right. We are creatures of free will that is given by God according to His wisdom and plan. The mass media quickly and unjustly categorizes all of Islam as hateful due to the actions of a small minority. The media colors the word “Muslim” in such a negative light that it evokes fear and hatred in the masses. There are so many Muslims out there who live in fear of hate crimes and harsh discrimination against themselves and their families. It is truly tragic that these innocent Muslims live as prisoners in their own neighborhoods as if something was wrong with them. In addition, there are Muslims who are afraid to BE Muslim in public. They feel compelled to act in a certain manner and dress a certain way just to fit into their environment. In the post-Jim Crow era, African Americans had to make their best efforts to integrate into a desegregated environment but were still viewed as inferior. The situation of some Muslims living in the West is very similar in the post 9/11 era. I sincerely feel pity for the people who are quick to believe everything they hear and see. There are so many different issues that confront us during life in this world that it can easily fill numerous books and hours of conversation. I want to make two things very clear before I end this statement. The first: Islam is one! We do not need to divide and conquer within our own religion when the end result is the same and the faith we attain along the way is the same. The second point: My brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to be you! You do not and should not have to conform or wear a “uniform” to fit in. I write this to all Muslims that were raised being told that they fall within a certain sect. I urge them to wake up and put these differences aside. I also write this for people who are unaware of the real definition of Islam. Last but not least, I write this for the general public to realize the qualities we should learn to cultivate within ourselves to become more pure human beings. Qualities such as humility, generosity, kindness, gratitude, and patience. At the same time, we must to learn to turn away from the evils of jealousy, pride, egotism, envy, and hatred.