How Do I Maintain My Shi’a Faith As a Former Sunni?

[TheTrueMonotheist]

Asalamu aleikum, 

I had just recently adopted Twelver Shi’ism about a week ago from being a practicing Sunni (Hanafi) Muslim. As of right now, I’m currently doubting myself on everything revolving the maintenance of my faith. My parents are Bangladeshi immigrants who are Traditional Hanafis and I frequently go to family gatherings with other Bengali Sunni Muslims who frequently congregate for Salat. I also had just recently graduated from University where I met a lot of great Sunni Muslims who I still interact with today and my Muslim friends are all Sunni.

For some perspective about my family, my dad one time saw me praying in sadl position three years ago when I was studying the Maliki school of thought at the time and immediately confronted me after I prayed because “we are a Sunni family, not Shi’a”. Even though I simply corrected him in stating that I was praying in a valid position under one of the mainstream Sunni schools of thought. He still didn’t budge because he didn’t even know what I was talking about (he just blindly follows what other Bengali Hanafis do and he’s not even informed what a madhab even is lol) and so I went back to being Hanafi to avoid any strained relationship. My mom seems to not really care about Shi’as and she prefers unity over communal division. My sister is a “cultural Sunni” who’s agnostic but views Shi’ism as weird. My dad has always forced me to pray at our local Sunni mosque for every Isha and still does (doesn’t bother me anymore since I returned to Islam four years ago but this previous cultural coercion led to my nihilistic atheism phase in my teens).

Due to my very Sunni-centric environment, I’m constantly forcefully doubting my Twelver beliefs just to fit back into my normal life. However, I know it’s theologically absurd to change my beliefs on this issue alone but I really do feel some of my Sunni peers will view me as “less Muslim” if I came out as Shi’a. It feels so “two-faced” whenever I’m praying in congregation with Sunnis when I’m intentionally praying alone (my marja is al-Sistani btw). I also love frequenting several mosques in my area for daily prayers and meeting fellow brothers to connect with. There’s only one Shi’a mosque near me that does active programs but doesn’t open up for daily Salah (the main aspect I really miss). The Shi’a mosque is also just packed with frequented Pakistani uncles that I don’t relate with but there are more younger people who show up for Majlis events.

This might sound obscure but it honestly does feel like I converted to a different religion on the way I have to attend a certain mosque and hold dissident theological views from my Sunni counterparts.The mourning ritual is what I’m still getting used to and sometimes I just get the  constant thoughts in my head, “this is not real Islam”. Despite all of this, my beliefs are still aligned with Twelver Shi’ism but man do I wish I never went down this rabbit hole of searching for deeper truth…

[Guest Itsalllgoodinthehood]

I may not be the best one to help, but for my part, I know what you are going through. I have had the honor of being Shia for over a decade now and there is still a lot I dont know and feel strange about and there are also things I flat out ignore. 

But the same thing can be said about going from Shia to Sunni. How odd things are and how they dont seem right.

My best advice for you my man is to do what you are comfortable with. Take a small step at a time. There is no race. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) knows what is in our hearts better than we. If you truly believe and wish to walk the path, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) knows. 

[ServantOfMahdi]

2 hours ago, Guest Itsalllgoodinthehood said:

But the same thing can be said about going from Shia to Sunni. How odd things are and how they dont seem right.

That says it all brother @TheTrueMonotheist. The truth is independent of our feelings. What we feel cannot change the facts, the realities, the standards of the true creed.

Don't feel the people around you too much as 'Sunnis', they're our fellow Muslims ignorant of the truth Allah made you aware of after you too were like them. Shiism makes you a strong, mature, resilient, tolerant, broad-minded, honest, brave person. You're in the making in sha Allah. Best of luck. May Allah be with you forever.

[Ashvazdanghe]

On 6/14/2026 at 6:27 AM, TheTrueMonotheist said:

Due to my very Sunni-centric environment, I’m constantly forcefully doubting my Twelver beliefs just to fit back into my normal life. However, I know it’s theologically absurd to change my beliefs on this issue alone but I really do feel some of my Sunni peers will view me as “less Muslim” if I came out as Shi’a. It feels so “two-faced” whenever I’m praying in congregation with Sunnis when I’m intentionally praying alone (my marja is al-Sistani btw).

Salam & welcome  having such doubts at first days of conversion is a normal matter which inshaAllah you will overcome it by being steadfast & ibcreasing your knowledge & supporting by other converts from Sunnism to shia Islam here in Shiachat ; which attending in praying in congregation with Sunnis has highly recommended by Imam Sadiq (عليه السلام) which in similar fashion grand ayatollah Sistani has highly recommended it .

On 6/14/2026 at 6:27 AM, TheTrueMonotheist said:

This might sound obscure but it honestly does feel like I converted to a different religion on the way I have to attend a certain mosque and hold dissident theological

Certainly it's not conversion to a new religion but also it's conversion to true path ; which as it has been mentioned you don't need to attain a certain mosque although of some differences ;

 

 

thanks to @Sirius_Bright

Quote

2Question: Is it permissible for me to pray behind a Sunni Imam for Friday and for regular congregational prayers, and is it required to prostrate on Turbah inside a mosque, for example, in the mosque of the holy city of Medina?

Answer: Taking part in Friday and congregational prayers of the Ahl-e Sunnat is permissible in areas where Taqiyah (dissimulation) is required. If you are not going to face a problem, you should, as far as possible, prostrate on something upon which Sajda (prostration) is permissible. Prostration on carpets in the case of Taqiyah or out of necessity is permissible and there would be no objection in it. Also, it is obligatory upon you to recite first chapter al-Hamd and the second chapter yourself – with the recitation in a low voice though. 
In any case, Friday prayers performed with them is not sufficient for Dhuhr prayers. Therefore, it is necessary to perform Dhuhr prayers separately.

The first part (in bold) talks about congregation. It says it is permissible where Taqaiyah is required. Does that mean if we can pray at home or at Shia mosque (as you were doing for 7 years) we shouldn't pray behind a Sunni scholar. 

https://www.Sistani.org/english/qa/01154/

 

thanks to @Propaganda_of_the_Deed

Quote

Sistani also says:

3Question: Can one say one’s congregational prayer behind a Sunni Imam with the intention of Jama'at (congregation)? And should one recite al-hamd on his own?

Answer: It is permissible to offer prayer in their congregational prayer. However, it is obligatory upon you to recite al-Hamd and Sura-e Tawhid yourself – be the recitation in low voice though.

 

https://www.Sistani.org/english/qa/01262/

 

thanks to @ServantOfMahdi

Quote

https://www.leader.ir/en/book/32/1?sn=5315

 

Performing Congregational Prayer behind Sunnīs

 

Q 597: Is it permissible to perform one’s prayer behind a Sunnī imam?

A: It is permissible to perform one’s prayer in congregation behind them for the sake of maintaining Muslim’s unity and avoiding mischief-making.

 

 

Q 598: I work in an area which is predominately Kurdish. Most Friday and congregational prayer leaders in this area are Sunnī. What is the rule with respect to performing prayers in congregation behind them? Is one permitted to backbite?

A: There is no problem in attending the prayer with them in their Friday and congregational prayer to maintain the unity and avoid mischief-making. As far as backbiting is concerned, one should refrain from it.

 

Q 599: I associate with Sunnī people and perform the daily prayers with them. On certain occasions I practice according to them, e.g. cross my hand, not observing times of praying and do prostration on a carpet. Is it necessary to say them again?

A: Prostration on a carpet and crossing one’s hands during prayer is not permissible unless it is required by taqiyyah.

 

Q 600: In Mecca and Medina, we perform prayers in congregation with the Sunnī brethren relying on the verdict of Imam Khomeini (q.). On certain occasions to acquire the reward of performing prayer in a masjid, we perform our afternoon and ‘ishā’ prayers after noon and maghrib prayers in Sunnī masjids while doing prostration on the prayer mats and without a sajdahgah. What is the ruling for such a prayer?

A: In the given case, one should prostrate on a thing on which it is correct to prostrate unless it contradicts the duty of dissimulation.

 

Q 601: Can we the Shī‘ahs attend the Sunnī’s congregational prayer in other countries when they perform their prayers with their hands crossed? Would it be necessary for us to follow them in keeping our hands crossed or should we perform our prayers with our hands released?

A: It is permissible to perform one’s prayers with Sunnīs when it is required for maintaining Muslim unity and avoiding mischief-making but it is not obligatory to cross one’s hands, rather it is not permitted unless it is required by taqiyyah.

 

Q 602: While praying in Sunnī congregational prayer every participant places his little toes close to those of the next persons, they consider it necessary to do so. What is its ruling?

A: This is not obligatory. It does not invalidate one’s prayer either.

 

Q 603: The Sunnī brethren do their maghrib prayer prior to our maghrib adhān. Is it correct during the occasion of Hajj or on other occasions to perform our prayer with them and consider that prayer sufficient?

A: It is not certain that they actually do their prayer prior to its time. However, if a person is not certain that it is time for prayer, it is not correct for them to join it unless taqiyyah calls for maintaining Muslims’ unity.

 

On 6/14/2026 at 6:27 AM, TheTrueMonotheist said:

The mourning ritual is what I’m still getting used to and sometimes I just get the  constant thoughts in my head, “this is not real Islam”. Despite all of this, my beliefs are still aligned with Twelver Shi’ism but man do I wish I never went down this rabbit hole of searching for deeper truth…

There is no problem it's deeper than Alice's rabbit hole  but at the end of it is light of salvation which having these thoughts are a normal thing which inshaAllah by help of Allah & suport of other converts you can overcome it inshaAllah .

however you can benefit from some programs  likewise below program(s).

 

[Ashvazdanghe]

On 6/14/2026 at 6:27 AM, TheTrueMonotheist said:

This might sound obscure but it honestly does feel like I converted to a different religion

Salam , you can find stories & experiences of other converts from Sunnism to shia in related threads which below threads are some examples of these threads ; which don't afraid from any hardship or criticizing ignorant people which we here always be your supporters here by will of Allah & grace of Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام) inshaAllah .

@Qa'im

Quote

wa `alaykum as-salaam.

I too am a Sunni convert to Shi`a - it has been 5 years now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I Was Guided

Muhammad al-Tijani al-Samawi

https://al-islam.org/then-i-was-guided-muhammad-al-tijani-al-samawi

Edited June 15 by Ashvazdanghe

[Ashvazdanghe]

Addendum

 

[Guest Batool]

Salam, 

I also am Bengali and used to be a hanafi Sunni and then become a twelver Shia about three years ago. In the beginning when I’d have uncertainty I used to seek more knowledge. I find the more knowledge you gain on Shia beliefs the stronger and more certain you feel because it is undeniably the true path. It is so difficult when you are surrounded by Sunnis and can make you feel so lonely. One thing I always tell myself is that a person can still be good, kind and supportive but not have to agree with my specific beliefs. Another thing that really helped is going to my local Shia mosque, the people are unbelievably friendly and appreciate your journey to becoming Shia.