Sunni becoming Shia

[Mightyspunge]

As a current Sunni who is interested in Shi’ism. I have Sunni friends from Iraq and other countries all from my local mosque. When I try to open up about it I have been told “Shia are worse than Christians”. I feel like if I become Shia that my relations with these people would be damaged, what should I do?

[guest 2025]

On 2/15/2023 at 9:36 PM, Mightyspunge said:

As a current Sunni who is interested in Shi’ism. I have Sunni friends from Iraq and other countries all from my local mosque. When I try to open up about it I have been told “Shia are worse than Christians”. I feel like if I become Shia that my relations with these people would be damaged, what should I do?

Salam, excuse me for not seeing this post. I think that you should prioritize what you believe to be the truth over friends.  If you want to be Shia but don't because you fear their backlash, then you have betrayed yourself, AND your faith in Sunni Islam would be worth nothing. What is the worth of your faith if you're only in it because of the fear of your friends compelling you? What will you tell Allah if He asks you why you were Sunni? "Because I was scared of my friends"? You should be Shia or Sunni because that's what you believe. 

Trust in Allah, pray for Him to guide you and help You, and if need be he'll replace your friends with 1000 better ones.

[Yusuf71]

As Children, we outgrow friends as we discover new truths etc. If Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is calling you further to Him, poor friendships and bad views will fall away naturally. 

I don't associate with people who make comments of sectarianism.  I understand its prevalent but its also technically illegal these days in the UK under the law "incitement to hatred"

[azizaliallah]

There is no conversion in Islam. Just rediscovering  your relationship with The Real.

[sukaynaaa]

On 2/15/2023 at 9:36 PM, Mightyspunge said:

As a current Sunni who is interested in Shi’ism. I have Sunni friends from Iraq and other countries all from my local mosque. When I try to open up about it I have been told “Shia are worse than Christians”. I feel like if I become Shia that my relations with these people would be damaged, what should I do?

do what makes you happy and what makes you feel most sure, if those friends leave you for becoming Shia, that's on them, don't be embarrassed on what you believe in