Why Islam? Why Shia

[Guest Guest313]

Greetings!
Peace be with you.

There is some uneasiness in my soul, I think I believe in God, but I am not sure 100%.  Also, I am overwhelmed by how many religions there are.  I am not sure what religion to choose.  I am looking for some direction and help.  I have reached out to many people most of them have tried to rationalize their religion, some have not rationalized it at all, but claimed I must take a leap of faith.

Please help me understand why Islam is the right religion.  And please help me to understand why Shiaism is that right way?
Thank you for your time.
-Guest313

[THREE1THREE]

See “Trinitarian fantasies” this should give you a reason why Islam. 

And also “Saul(Paul) refuted” thread and “Doctrine of the Trinity refuted” thread. Let’s start off with these. We will go step by step. 

Edited July 20, 2020 by THREE1THREE
Mistake

[The Green Knight]

I suggest you make a little effort, study them first then specify any kinks you want ironed out.

Peace.

[Shahrukh K]

18 hours ago, Guest Guest313 said:

Please help me understand why Islam is the right religion

Why you need a right religion ?

[gharib570]

20 hours ago, Guest Guest313 said:

Greetings!
Peace be with you.

There is some uneasiness in my soul, I think I believe in God, but I am not sure 100%.  Also, I am overwhelmed by how many religions there are.  I am not sure what religion to choose.  I am looking for some direction and help.  I have reached out to many people most of them have tried to rationalize their religion, some have not rationalized it at all, but claimed I must take a leap of faith.

Please help me understand why Islam is the right religion.  And please help me to understand why Shiaism is that right way?
Thank you for your time.
-Guest313

Hello peace!

The concept of God in Islam is rich especially in Shia Islam. We do not believe that God has any human like qualities and is totally transcendent. At the same time he is immanent and signs can be seen everywhere. Like our Imam Ali says: "He is with all things but without being in them". You must be aware that the more you try to visual or see God the more you will be led further away - "he" is beyond matter. He is "seen" with the heart which in Islam is the place of rejection or acceptence, unlike the intellect.

We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness? Quran 41:53

Shia Islam is the right way because after prophet Muhammad (s) died no one was more knowledgable and pious than his successor Imam 'Ali (عليه السلام). He was unfortunately overthrown in a political coup and this mistake has cost Islam ever since. All Shias give priority to the prophetic household (ahl al-Bayt) who believe carried on the true spiritual legacy of prophet Muhammad (s) when he passed away. Two of Imam 'Ali's sons were assasinated who were also prophetic Muhammad's (s) grandsons (Imam 'Ali was his first cousin and married prophet Muhmamad's daughter). Therefore, you can tell that many deviations arose in the early days of Islam and the Shias stuck to two holy sources known as the Quran and ahl al-Bayt - this is one of the most famous last saying of prophet Muhammad (s) which has been narrated by all groups whether Sunni or Shia.

Edited July 20, 2020 by gharib570

[Labbayka]

I suggest you give this thread a read on why Islam is the religion of choice for us.

 

[guest 2025]

I believe it works practically, it's not just a lofty belief. When I follow the wisdom of Islam, I end up in a better position for it. I can't tell you how many disasters I've dodged because I followed the wisdom of Islam, the problems that most people struggle with just don't apply to me anymore. It's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. On the other hand, when I look at people who do the exact opposite of what Islam says, without exception they are wretched or miserable.

Other religions might not be offending, but to them an outstanding believer is someone who sheds all responsibility and moves to a temple or a cave. Islam is the only religion right now that works practically. It is a positive force on the individual, the community, and the society. Why Shia? Look at how our beliefs has impacted our manners and character. I see it like this: 10 fitness trainers are asking you to follow their program to succeed, but 9 are fat and 1 is in shape. In that scenario you obviously go with the fit person

[313_Waiter]

I think belief in Shi’a Islam may be done through a rigorous process which I’ve outlined below.

- Belief in God

Coming to the belief in God can be done through reading philosophy. You can come increase your faith by intuition / The “fitrah”, where one can intuitively say “I am [conscious] therefore God exists” (and He has the ability to bring me into existence once again. Look into Avicenna’s argument of the necessary being.
There are many other ways, including the design argument, argument from contingency, kalām cosmological argument and so on.

- Belief in Theism

A god who creates and then says “aight Imma head out” does not make sense to me (as per Deism).
Rather a sustainer, maintainer, loving god makes more sense.

Every manufacturer makes an instruction manual!

- Belief in Islam
Look into the prophecies about the coming of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Here’s a post by br. @Qa'im https://www.shiachat.com/forum/topic/235019422-ahl-al-bayt-in-judeo-christian-literature/ 

Zakir Naik also has some lectures on this.
Look up the end time prophecies made by the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and Ahlulbayt.

Also look into why the Qur’an is a book that likely comes from God (Nauman Ali Khan had a lecture on the Qur’anic miracle). 
Read the biography of the infallibles ((عليه السلام)) (Ammar Nakshawani has a good book and lecture series) and let your heart soften up to their life and their teaching. 

Belief in Islam can also be reached through a process of elimination. For instance, look into why Tawhid is superior to the Trinity.
Does Islam’s claim that the message of Submission to the Creator was one and later got distorted make sense? Can we see this via an analysis of other scriptures (look into the concept of monotheism in the vedas, the teachings of Jesus in the Bible, Similarities of Judaism and Islam)

- Belief in Tashayyu 

Read “Then I was guided” By Tijani and Usool al Din by Vahid Khorasani. Look into the usual arguments: Hadith Thaqalayn, Ghadir Khumm, Ayat Tatheer, The Calamity of Thursday etc.

Maybe even watch debates? But I only recommend this after being familiar with Shi’ism.

Remember, learning is a journey from the cradle to the grave.

Please keep me in your prayers as well.

wsalam

 

Edited July 21, 2020 by Ejaz