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Plz don't curse Muawiya, or any other person in your posts, Doing that will only make our relations worse.

Bismillah Rahman Raheem. I am absolutely heartbroken after finding out Anti-Majos 3 had made a video entitled “when fake matam turns real!!” and making comments from the contributors with things about God being pleased with those who did (killing the Shias in that shooting video) or bringing a scholar who says that the only solution for the Shias is to kill the men, take their women as captives and enslave their children (I think the name was specifically Rami Issa). What is the sick and disgusting stuff? Did their prophet (saws) hurt the Jews and Christians during his time? The prophet only ever fought in a battle after being expelled with his followers from their homes, getting harassed and looted constantly, having the peace treaties broken and absolutely being oppressed! Now can anyone tell me when did the Shias do that? I think we need to report these channels for their hate speech which is a CLEAR crime. If the police will not listen then at least we have to try and take down these hate-inspiring videos and channels by reporting it on YouTube and Google. Who is with me and willing to help do this? Anti-majos production even called Imam Mahdi a “rat” in one of the YouTube comments when they themselves should believe in his appearance. Absolutely disgusting and sickening. What a great shame they bring to Islam for their fighting and enmity towards the other sects!

Assalamu alaykum everyone. I’ve heard that the book Then I was guided by Muhammad al-Tijani is a good book especially for reverts to the Ahlulbayt school of thought. Has anyone read it? If so what’s your opinions of it?

Will prevail when Imam Mahdi ((عليه السلام)) and Prophet Jesus ((عليه السلام)) returns. For the most part, the Palestinians have been brain washed by the salafi’s to the extent that a large percentage of Isis fighters when they were caught were from Palestine and then Chechnya then Tunisia and then Saudi Arabia. I think you and the other guy that I’ve heard of are the only Palestinian Shia’s that exists. The rest are either “Sunni” or “Christian” in short yous are rare gem.

As salamu alaykum I hope everyone is in the best of health Insha’Allah during these crazy times. I’m a 18 year old Palestinian and Egyptian born Muslim and a new “revert” from ahlul Sunnah to the Ahlul Bayt school of thought. I was wondering if anyone had any good book recommendations about Islamic history and good source books. Growing up Islamic history wasn’t emphasised so I’m kinda a newbie to in depth context and sources sourrounding the context of when surahs/ ayas were revealed, I.e Surah al Tawbah, or hadiths/ history surrounding the martyrdom of Hussain as. I don’t know if this is related but also if anyone has any recommendations for mosques in London and also mosques that possibly offer lessons that would be great too. Jazak’Allah everyone.

Assalamu walaikum brother and sisters, I hope you are all in the best of health Insha’Allah. There is an online vigil for Lebanon taking place on zoom, hosted by shiekh Faiyaz Jaffer at 6PM EST today. Link: https://linktr.ee/icnyu

I created this post because this is literally what we follow, Ahlulbayt or Sunnah. So by proving that 'Kitab Allah and Sunnah' is unauthentic than it proves that 50% is based off following an unauthentic hadith. If you can prove me wrong and that Kitab Allah and Ahlulbayt is unauthentic the 50% of the religion of Shia Muslims is false.

Salam Alaykum Is it true that there was a debate with the sheikh with the exchange of letters. Many Sunnis claim the debate never took place and deny this. His Book is „Al Murajat‘‘ Does anyone have any evidence to support the authenticity of the debate? Wa sallam

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Salam, I am wondering, does anyone know any shia books that have a focus on perfecting character? Thank you in advance.

Salam, I am wondering, does anyone know any good Shia books that are related specifically/mainly to perfecting your character? Thank you in advance.

Salam Aleykum, my name is Mirzev. I'm an Azerbaijani Shia Twelver Muslim who follows Marja Imam Khamenei, I am inspired by the works of Ali Shariati and Imam Khomeini among others. I am also inspired by political Shia movements such as the Yellow Angels or Ansarallah in their fight against oppression and injustice. I decided to get on this website. I was recommended it by a sister that used to use it and I thought I'd join to strengthen my knowledge of the deen and perhaps help others as well. In the future I want to be a soldier for the deen as well Alhamdulilah thank you everyone for reading.

What do shias believe about Jesus and his 12 disciples? Are there any hadiths/narrations about Jesus or his Disciples in your 4 hadith books?

On Reddit, I’ve come across a self-proclaimed “ex-Muslim,” who even happens to be an Iraqi Shia residing in the USA. Most of his claims are based on misinterpretations of the Quran, and I have duly refuted them. But he seems to know nothing about Shiism other than “some guy named Ali wanted to be leader.” (Astaghfirallah, his words not mine) Meaning that his “reasons” for leaving Islam had nothing to do with the Jaafari school of thought and had to do with Islam in general. I’ve told him that there is a tremendous difference between Shiism and Sunnism, but how can I bring him back to the deen without overwhelming him? I’ve shown him some of the scientific miracles in the Quran, but he merely shrugs them off. Any advice?

Assalam Alaykum, my name is Basheera and I am a Shia woman. I was born into an incredibly strict Sunni family, but happily I converted a few years ago when I was 18. I had severe depression trying to figure out my identity and purpose of life until I found Shia Islam, and luckily now I am much healthier, mentally and physically. However though, I have a big problem. Please please read this whole thing before you comment and don't insult me because I've been seeking help for years, from imams (all Sunni though) and Muslim friends. This may be a bit long but I am seeking answers and help. While I am a Muslim, I am lgbt. I have known since I was 11, almost 12 years ago. I tried to stop it and told myself that I was only attracted to men, that this was a phase and I'd get over it, and I tried to force myself to look into husbands. I break down thinking about it and cry over my future. I have known for years and it wasn't a problem at first, but because now I am a practicing muslim I feel... fake? I'm not sure how to feel but I cannot stop my feelings. I know now, 12 years later, that it is not a phase and I cannot ignore it no matter how hard I try. People told me that I choose the way I feel, but wallahi I would never ever choose to feel like this. I worry about my future and if I truly am a Muslim. I talked to imams and read the Quran and many Hadiths regarding lgbt. The imams told me that lgbt muslims do exist, however they must hold back their feelings to stop themselves from committing haram, and in a way it is a form of Jihad. I understood that and I have done that for years, holding myself back and hiding in secret. As I said before I am a convert and a practicing muslim, I love islam but this problem has always been in the back of my mind and I don't think I can hold it back/ignore it anymore. My question is, does being lgbt automatically mean I'm not a muslim? Does it contradict Islam? (Wallahi I've been lgbt for many years and I swear on the Quran I would not feel this way if it was a choice. I hate it so much). Would I ever be accepted as a muslim by a Shia scholar? Am I haram? Even when I keep my feelings to myself? I am crying writing this, I have talked to many Sunni imams, but now that I'm Shia I want an answer from Shias. I hope nobody thinks ill of me or insults me, I am trying my best. Please someone help me and answer me, do I contradict Islam? Am I a fake muslim? Should I leave Islam (am I making Islam look bad)? Thank you so much for reading and please give your honest opinion, shukran.

Salam Dear brothers and sisters, I am new here and would like your help to refute the Sunni arguments. In the Internet the hate against the Shiites is meanwhile so large that we are only accused of doing everything wrong, I would like to meet this. Can you recommend me some good sites that refute the arguments of the Nasibis?

Sallam Alikum, I have an America friend who would like to read more about Islam, and she wants me to recommend her books. The books I am reading right now, are a bit more complicated and go deeper into Islam, but I want to give her easier books to understand Islam. I do also wish they're more Shia based books. Which books to you all recommend I tell her about? Thank you so much.

I'm excited about my new life as a (shia) Muslim, so I naturally do a lot of digging on the internet for any info I can find that might help me perfect my prayer & perfect my submission to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). Last night, I found a site called "NewMuslims . com" and I went to look around, figuring I could get some information on "next steps" for Shia reverts. I searched the term "shia" and was directed to a section called "Introduction to Sects (part 2 of 2). The constant talk of the Sunnah should have tipped me off from the get go, but here is what they had to say about us: (4. Shias[3] Also spelled “Shi’ites.” The “Twelver Shias” believe that, after the death of the Prophet, the Imamate (the political and religious leadership of the Muslim community) should have gone to 'Ali - the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet - and his descendants as a divine right. Unlike the Sunnis, who perform prayers five times a day, the Shi'ites pray three times a day. The Twelver Shias population in 1980 was estimated to be 73,000,000. They are dominant in Iran, but are also found in Pakistan, India, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Syria. There are also small Shia communities in the West, one of the largest in Dearborn, Michigan.) Isn't that fascinating? I never knew that I only prayed 3 times a day! I could have sworn that I learned how to count as a child from repeated viewings of the Bela Lugosi-type "vampire" on Sesame Street, but I guess I was wrong. Those five alarms I have on my phone are apparently only three alarms! Did anyone know that we had been counting completely wrong our entire lives? (yes, the above is very snarky sarcasm) Seriously though, how can it be argued that we only "pray three times a day"? My guess is that this has something to do with the OPTION to combine prayers (which correct me if I am wrong, but only two prayers can be combined per day... either Dhur & Asr or Maghrib & Isha.) I do not combine my prayers right now because I don't know the proper way to do so, but I don't really think that I would if I had the knowledge on how to properly do so anyway. I enjoy prayer, at the risk of sounding like a piety-signaler, I actually look forward to prayer because I am very much motivated to become perfect at offering it. Not only that, but I get more of a rejuvenation out of the five daily prayers than I ever did going to "rock concert church" where everyone is dancing, crying, and waving their hands around in the air. I never in my life saw myself as being someone who would eagerly anticipate having to perform religious duties, but Islam has done that for me in the short three week period or so that I have officially considered myself as a Muslim. What do you think brothers & sisters? Is this a salafi site sponsored by Saudi Arabia and if so, what is the Saudi compulsion to denigrate and undermine their brothers and sisters in Islam at any and all opportunities simply because we believe (correctly) that The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) chose his family to continue as his successors?

Assalamu alaykum, everyone. Hope you're all having a great Ramadan; heavenly breezes your way. Before I ask my questions, allow me to recount my spiritual/religious journey in brief (or what I hope will be brief). I appreciate if you could patiently read before answering. I was born in Iran to a non-practicing Muslim family. When I was a child, my parents taught me that there is a God, and read to me stories about the prophets (my favourites were the story of Nuh, Yunus and Yusuf, alayhimussalam); but they didn’t practise any Islamic rituals. Fasting and praying was never part of their daily routine. The only precepts that they followed (and still follow, despite living in a Western country) is avoiding pork and alcohol. As a result, throughout my childhood and teenage years, I wouldn’t perform namaz or fast Ramadan. I still had a deep-seated belief in God, and would pray (dua) to Him, especially when things got difficult; e.g. when a teacher wanted to check our homework and I hadn’t done it, or when I had broken something and I didn’t want my parents to find out. When I was about 17, I left Iran to study in Malaysia. It was the first time I was living away from my family in a foreign land, and for whatever reason, a great transformation took place in my soul at that time. I fell in love with God. I began to pray the daily prayers regularly, to read the Quran often, to remember God often; I found in these such joy, such ecstasy, and at the same time, such peace, such solace, such serenity, the like of which I had never tasted before. At this same time, I began to associate with a group of Malaysian Sunni Muslims who had Sufi inclinations. I would often pray with them; and from what I remember, I would pray like them outwardly, with hands folded over chest. At that time (and to a certain extent, even now) I cared very little about Sunni-Shia differences. What mattered was God. The Remembrance of God is greater. (Quran 29:45) Greater than everything. Love God, worship God, with all your mind and soul. Give yourself to God; and leave all the rest. This was my philosophy, at least at that time. A couple of years later, I migrated along with my parents to Australia. My parents realised that I had profoundly changed; I would pray five times a day, recite the Quran, fast Ramadan. My parents, of course, thought that this was a transient phase and decided to completely ignore these changes in my life; they made no objects to me praying or fasting, but they themselves still didn’t pray or fast. They also weren’t interested in any conversation about religion. In the following years, I continued to deepen my understanding of faith; from time to time, I would read Islamic books or listen to lectures (mostly Sunni, but also Shia from time to time). Books that intrigued me the most at this stage were Sufi literature; books by Rumi, Attar, Sana’i, Ghazzali, etc. The greatness of these books was that they dealt with pure spirituality, not identity politics, sectarian polemics, etc.; and I had the pleasure of reading them in their original language, my mother tongue Persian. Now, let me come to the questions: While I find my relationship with God satisfying, I now know that Islam is meant to be practised communally, not just in solitude. For years, I had prayed alone, fasted alone, broken my fasts alone (even before Covid-19!) For someone like me, finding the right community and spiritual company was a challenge. One main question is: Which community is right for me? Should I join a Sunni OR a Shia congregation? and I hate to ask that question: Why should it be either/or? Why not both/and? Loving God is not Sunni or Shia. It is neither, or it is both. Same with sincerity, humility, kindness: none of these are exclusively Sunni or Shia qualities. But the fact on the ground is that, (for whatever reason), Sunnis and Shias don’t pray with each other anymore. Sunnis pray with Sunnis. Shias pray with Shias. Which congregation should I join? What I like most about the Shia tradition is the spirituality of Sahifa-Sajjadiya and some of the great sermons in Nahjul Balagha. I also returned to follow Shia fiqh in my wudhu and prayer. While I respect all fiqh traditions and consider them equally valid, this is the way I felt most comfortable praying and performing wudhu. I believe Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (regardless of whether he was an infallible imam) is definitely not a less credible expositor of fiqh than Imam Shafi’i, Abu Hanifah or Malik, radhi allahu anhum. On the other hand, my understanding of Islam was mainly shaped by Sunni-Sufi thought and sentiment. For example, while I deeply respect and love Imam Hussain ((عليه السلام)), I am more interested in what Imam Hussain taught, what he stood for, how he lived, than just crying endlessly for how tragically he was killed. To be completely frank, I never understood the concept of religious azadari. Azadari makes sense when you lose a loved one; but we haven’t lost the Prophet or the Imams. Their teachings, their spiritual presence and ultimately God (to whom they all pointed; and their whole mission was to lead us to God) are still with us, and will forever remain with us. So why should we mourn someone who is alive? More living than us. Other reasons for not wanting to be a Shia were practical: the Shia are in a minority. There are very few Shia mosques. The ones that exist are far away from where I live, often ethno-centric (frequented mostly by Iraqis or Pakistanis with lectures said in Arabic or Urdu, rather than English) or having political links/agendas. I felt more-or-less estranged from the Iranians in Australia as well. From my observation, the Iranian diaspora consists mostly either of non-Muslims (Christians, Bahai’s, etc.), cultural/nominal Muslims, or people who have turned against religion altogether, mostly as a reaction to what they see as aggression and injustice by the ‘Islamic’ government in Iran. Traditional, simple-minded, religious Iranians who aren't politically affiliated seem to be a tiny minority here. Incredibly hard to find. As for associating with Sunnis and calling myself a Sunni, the obvious advantage is there are many more mosques I could go to (more options!); but then the problem was that people would want to know whether/why I have changed my madhhab and become a Sunni; as Shia Islam is the madhhab of the majority of Iranians. I don’t want to give anyone the impression that I don’t like Shia Islam; because the truth is that I consider Shia Islam a valid perspective and a valid madhhab to follow; and by saying that I have changed my madhhab, I would give the impression that I find Shi'ism wrong (which isn't true). As you can see, because of my spiritual journey which isn’t as straightforward as most Muslims, I have ended up in a confused state. Alhamdulillah, I am not confused regarding my relationship with God, but in navigating my relationship with others. Non-Muslim Australians think that I am not one of them because I am Muslim. Sunni Muslims think that I am not one of them because I am Shia. Shia Muslims think that I am too Sunni to be a good Shia. Maybe you could help me out.

Hawza Life Before I started a Hawza life I used to do lot of research online How to get admission and stuff but I’ve never get enough information about it. So today I’ll tell you all the steps. Ps: It’s better to have some worldly education (At least High school or even Masters) not because they will not accept you.But If you have worldly education, you’ll have better understanding of Islamic Knowledge. Al Mustafa International University Iran Is the head of all Hawza’s across the globe Almost all Hawza’s are under Al Mustafa University Admissions There is no specific time to get admission you can take whenever you want. If you have any of following passport you might not get admission as quick (Pakistani, Indian) not because that they are racist but actually there are lot of Pakistani's Indians studying here and there space is almost full for these countries. How to get Admission? There are three ways to get admission 1: If there is a Jamatul Mustafa branch in your country you should contact them and fill the admission forum and wait till they accept you and send your student visa. 2: Apply Online on “rsampa.miu.ac.ir . Fill the forum and wait till they contact you (Normally it will take around 3-9 months) 3: Visit Iran for Ziarah and visit Jamatul Mustafa in Qom and fill the online forum and wait till they do your work (it’ll take about a month) They might provide you temporary accommodation After you get admission They will provide you temporary accommodation and after that they will send you to Farsi Learning School. You’ll have 4 options 1: Qom 2: Mashhad 3:Esfahan 4: Ishtian You can choose from following!!!From where you want to learn Farsi and Tamhedia(Basic Islamic Laws) Rooms are quite normal you’ll get your own bed with a small wardrobe. And you’ll have to live with other 7 students in one room Timing Breakfast: 7:15am Class: Usually it’s from 8am to 1pm Lunch: After 1pm Dinner after Maghribain/ 8pm Lights off 11pm What will they provide? Hostel Pocket money 48 Dollars (per month) 3 time food (Thursday only 2 times and Friday no food) Health Insurance Ps: For married couple things are quite different They have limited houses for couples (You might have to wait for your turn) To Rent a house it may cost you around 45$ a month for 2 rooms but you’ll have to gave Rehen(Security) this depends on House/Area where you’re living it might be from 2000$ to 15000$ (You’ll get this money back when you’ll leave the house) What will you do after finishing Persian & Tamhedia? Then you’ll have to choose which Madrasa you want to go. There is only Two options Farsi or Arabic Madrasa for advance Islamic Studies For Example: Imam Khomenai University, Hujjatiya (They are Farsi Madrasas) Ahlulbayt & Imam Sadiq (as) Madrassa are Arabic Madrasas In these Madrasa they will teach you advance Islam. Can I get a job after becoming a Scholar? Well first of all remember that you're on Allah's way and sacrificing yourself for Allah you shouldn’t think that you won’t get a job. There are options if you want to live in Iran as a student they’ll provide you money (Hardly enough). Other than that there are few other options For Example: You can be a writer, You can be a Translator, You can be a public speaker (most of the Hawza students becomes speaker) You can go back to your country and serve your community. Ps: If any sister wanted to start a Hawza life there are also Hawza's for sister ,,, Bint ul Huda in Qom etc Best of Luck If you still have any questions, feel free to ask! Remember me in your Prayers

Asalamwalaykum. I am a 15 year old boy, who is currently on winter break. I am very stressed about school right now. Last year (Grade 9) and throughout elementary school, I got very good grades, especially mathematics, was 90's and 80's. Last year went really well too. This year however, I have been trying very hard, and studying a lot, and praying, yet I still have got very bad grades like 60's 70's. I know that I am doing everything I can, and I have gotten very close to Allah over the past few weeks, and have been crying in the glory of Allah, and for forgiveness for sins. I know that school has gotten harder from grade 9 to 10, but I know that I should be getting 90's, 80's at least still! I study constantly, and I am also humble about my grades, even though I might not have been before. Everyone of my friends are getting the same grades as last year, while possibly even studying less! I am frustrated by myself, and I need some hope. I will need 90's next two years in mathematics, and science, which are courses that I love, but have not been doing well in. I am also very scared because over the break I have been praying to Allah to help me with my education, so I can go on and help the Muslim community after getting a good job, I have been praying to become a doctor from a young age as well. I need some hope, or some clarification from you people, to help me understand if this is a test from Allah, and how to improve myself so I can do something about my situation. Thanks.

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem, Since last year I have been deeply studying the Islamic divide that took place following the death of the Rasul (صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) and the differences in how we Shias approach the topic about caliphate. I have read a lot of Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim and also have ahadith from both of those books that which prove the hypocrisy of the so-called companions, although the authenticity of these ahadith is denied by Sunnis. My main aim of this post is to put aside all ahadith books, both Sunni and Shia, mainly because they are subjective and open to a lot of bias. I wanted to gather the most pure and divine of evidence to prove the Wilayah of Imam Ali ((عليه السلام)). I am aware of Ayah 67 in Surat Al-Ma'idah, named Ayat Al-Balagh - "O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord, and if you do not, then you have not conveyed His message. And Allah will protect you from the people. Indeed, Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." Based on Abi Saeed Al-Khudri, a very well known companion that which the Sunni majority take hadiths from, stated that this ayah was revealed to the Rasul (صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ) on the day of Ghadeer Khum, where he stated that Imam Ali will be leader following his passing, and Hadith Al-Thaqalayn was also mentioned on this day. I will be grateful if anybody knows of any other ayaat in the Qur'an that link to the Wilayah of Imam Ali and the divine succession of the Ahlulbayt to the Rasul (صَلَّىٰ ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ). Salaam.

Can anyone inform me about Shias in Russia? I'm planning to study there next year and I hope I would be able to find a Shia community there. I know there are a significant minority in Dagestan and urban Moscow but are there any other places with a Shia minority? I tried to search it online but I can't seem to find anything. If anyone knows of any Shia centers in Russia then please kindly inform me about it and maybe even give me a google maps link.

I've seen from nahjul balagha that Ali said to Muawiyah in a letter that "Verily those who swore allegiance to Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman have sworn allegiance to me on the same basis on which they swore allegiance to them." What does this mean? Are batris the true shia?

Hello. I am a Sunni and I have noticed that that Shias' Sahoor time ends before Sunnis and their Iftar ends after Sunnis. My question is, what method is used to find out the timings of Ramadan Iftar and Sahoor in Shia Islam ? Thanks.