You have got to ask yourself on some level, is Shia Islam really a part of Islam? My whole life I simply thought Shia Islam was a political movement that survived until today, and that Shias simply garner their religious authority only from those rightly guided from Ahlul Bayt (household of the prophet). In fact, I still hold these beliefs today. I thought that makes me a shia Muslim. However, I’m finding out that in the opinion of the majority of shia muslims, this does not make me a shia. What makes me a shia are a list of beliefs and rituals, that when examined, creates a new religion, completely at odds with Allah’s religion of Islam, as passed down from the prophet Ibrahim (pbuh). In the following I will go through Islamic ideas, rules, and doctrines, and then I will compare that to a prevalent shia doctrine that seems to completely contradict it. At the end we will ask the question, is Shia Islam (as imagined by the majority today), a part of Islam? And if it is not a part of Islam, what is it? A new religion? Or an anti-Islam sect? Or simply consists of confused people who will eventually give up their confusing beliefs?
The first doctrine I want to discuss is:
1. Muslims Believe The Quran is the Complete and Uncorrupted Record of Allah’s Revelations to The Prophet Muhammad (saws): Meanwhile Shias Believe The Real Quran has 17000 verses and was either Imam Ali’s or Fatima’s Quran, and its being safeguarded by the 1000 year old 12th Imam who will reveal it near the end of days.
As we see here, there is a complete and clear contradiction. Muslims believe that the quran was revealed as news of glad tidings and a warning for the people of earth, and that this miracle would be a guidance for humanity and a mercy, and that it will be the basis muslims will be judged for their actions. Muslims believe the word of Allah in the Quran when he states that it is complete and he will protect it. Allah swt in the Quran states:
Yet the disbelievers ˹still˺ persist in denial. But Allah encompasses them from all sides. In fact, this is a glorious Quran, ˹recorded˺ in a Preserved Tablet.
بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى تَكْذِيبٍۢ وَٱللَّهُ مِن وَرَآئِهِم مُّحِيطٌۢ بَلْ هُوَ قُرْءَانٌۭ مَّجِيدٌۭ فِى لَوْحٍۢ مَّحْفُوظٍۭ
85:19-22
Here we see Allah swt explain that the Quran is recorded and preserved. Anyone who believes otherwise, is a person who does not believe in the Quran is the true word of Allah swt, because it would make this statement false.
This is a blessed Book We have revealed. So follow it and be mindful ˹of Allah˺, so you may be shown mercy. You ˹pagans˺ can no longer say, “Scriptures were only revealed to two groups before us and we were unaware of their teachings.” Nor can you say, “If only the Scriptures had been revealed to us, we would have been better guided than they.” Now there has come to you from your Lord a clear proof—a guide and mercy. Who then does more wrong than those who deny Allah’s revelations and turn away from them? We will reward those who turn away from Our revelations with a dreadful punishment for turning away.
وَهَـٰذَا كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ مُبَارَكٌۭ فَٱتَّبِعُوهُ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ١٥٥
أَن تَقُولُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أُنزِلَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ عَلَىٰ طَآئِفَتَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِنَا وَإِن كُنَّا عَن دِرَاسَتِهِمْ لَغَـٰفِلِينَ ١٥٦
أَوْ تَقُولُوا۟ لَوْ أَنَّآ أُنزِلَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَكُنَّآ أَهْدَىٰ مِنْهُمْ ۚ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُم بَيِّنَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ ۚ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن كَذَّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ وَصَدَفَ عَنْهَا ۗ سَنَجْزِى ٱلَّذِينَ يَصْدِفُونَ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا سُوٓءَ ٱلْعَذَابِ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَصْدِفُونَ ١٥٧
6:155-157
Here we see Allah swt explain that the people now have no more excuses, and the Quran was brought to them, and that if they turn away from the clear Quran they will be punished. Yet, Shias would explain to you that Allah’s word here is not true, we will not be tested by the Quran because we do not have it yet. Our real Quran is the the 12th Imam.
2. Muslims believe the Quran is a document to be studied, meanwhile Shias believe the Quran is a document that no one can understand except the Imam of your time (12th Imam).
Muslims believe the Quran is a guide, meanwhile Shias believe it is impossible for any normal human to read it and understand, it is only for the 12th Imam to come one day and explain to us what it means. For this reason we see Sunnis study the Quran, meanwhile Shias consider the Quran a decorative book of word that are said in order to do a prayer, without allowing the words to pass through your ears to your brain. Let’s look at the Quran to see which viewpoint is consistent with Allah’s message to the Muslims.
Indeed, We have sent down to you clear revelations. None will deny them except the rebellious.
وَلَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ءَايَـٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ ۖ وَمَا يَكْفُرُ بِهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقُونَ
2:99
Allah swt states these are clear revelations.
Alif-Lãm-Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book. Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Quran so that you may understand.
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَٰنًا عَرَبِيًّۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
12:1-2
Again, Allah swt states these are clear verses. For everyone to read and understand. Nothing is hidden.
Indeed, We have made this easy in your own language so perhaps they will be mindful.
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَـٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
44:58
Again, Allah swt states he made this Quran is clear for you to understand and be mindful.
And We have certainly made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?
وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍۢ
54:17
Here Allah swt makes it clear that the Quran is easy to remember, in other words that is one method of preservation Allah swt in his wisdom planned. But also, its easy for each person to remember so they can be guided.
The Word of your Lord has been perfected in truth and justice. None can change His Words. And He is the All-Hearing, All- Knowing.
وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ صِدْقًۭا وَعَدْلًۭا ۚ لَّا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
6:115
Here Allah swt makes it clear that the Quran has been perfected. In other words complete. When we view these verses, it is clear that if a group were to believe that the Quran is not clear or not complete, then that person does not believe the words of Allah swt in the Quran. They have beliefs that go against Allah’s commanded word to humanity. They would in effect be believing in something other than what Allah swt said in the Quran. This would make this group a different religion with different leaders.
3. Muslims believe the prophet Muhammad swt was the last of the prophets appointed by Allah, meanwhile Shias believe in the doctrine of Divine Imamah.
Shias believe that Allah swt appointed leaders for the ummah after the prophet Muhammad saws. Meanwhile Muslims believe that the last prophet was Muhammad (saws). Shias will then use word games to say they were not prophets, however they are more powerful than prophets some will say. However, what do you call someone that is appointed by Allah swt to lead a people in religious matters? This person is called a prophet. Shias will say no, they are an Imam, they have no knowledge other than what was magically passed to them through the prophet and then the preceding Imam. Let us examine the Quran for evidence of Imamah.
Muḥammad is not the father of any of your men, but is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. And Allah has knowledge of all things.
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٍۢ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمًۭا
33:40
Here Allah swt makes it clear that the prophet had no male heirs (is Allah swt hinting at the fact that he will establish a hereditary dynasty?), and that he is the last of all prophets that will be sent by Allah swt. So how can shias now claim there are more men appointed by Allah to lead?
Say, “We believe in Allah and what has been revealed to us; and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and his descendants; and what was given to Moses, Jesus, and other prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them. And to Allah we all submit.”
قُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِـۧمَ وَإِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَٱلْأَسْبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيْنَ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ وَنَحْنُ لَهُۥ مُسْلِمُونَ
2:136
Here Allah swt makes it clear that there is no distinction between the prophets. No where in the Quran is there any mention of a position held by humans called “Imam” that is something more than regular human but less than a prophet. Absent any mention even of the concept of an Imam or a sucessor to Prophet Muhammad, we can only conclude this is a man made idea, not one given to us by Allah swt. In fact, Allah swt in the Quran seems to inform the people that Muhammad (saws) does not have any sons, so that no one will come and claim himself to be his son, and then claim legitimacy to rule after him.
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