Library Inquiries about Shi'a Islam Introduction
Introduction
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Chapter 1
Introduction
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Those who listen to the Word and follow the best of it: those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones with understanding.[1]
The Shi'a and Sunni schools of thought form the two wings of the Islamic nation that allow it to fly and carry out its lofty objectives. As a great Muslim scholar has said, those who attempt to cause division between the Shi'a and the Sunnis are neither Shi'i nor Sunni. Written under this premise, this book should clarify some common questions and inquiries about the philosophy and practice of Shi'a Islam. The Shi'i and Sunni schools of thought differ primarily in jurisprudence and have far more similarities than differences. All schools of thought in Islam must be respected since they do their share in leading people to salvation.
Due to a lack of clear information, the Shi'a imamiyyah school of thought has remained a mystery to many Muslims. Numerous Muslims have been relieved to discover the truth of Shi'i Islam from reliable sources. Nevertheless, the enemies of Islam have found that the best way to besmirch Islam and disturb the peace within the Muslim nation is to encourage division and sectarianism. Thus, a myriad of negative and false rumors with no basis in the authentic books of the Shi'a school of thought has been spread. These rumors have two sources: animosity towards Islam on the part of those who invent them, and ignorance on the part of those who believe and propagate them.
This book is a call to unite the Muslims since true unity stems from an understanding of each other's philosophies, not from keeping them secret. While the majority of Shi'i scholars and even average individuals keep many books belonging to other schools of thought in their libraries, few other Muslims take the time to read the original sources of Shi'a philosophy. I have endeavored in this book to present the most controversial issues that distinguish Shi'a Islam in a simple manner understandable by all people, particularly our youth generation in the Western countries. To make this book accessible to all readers regardless of school of thought, I have relied mainly on the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf) as reported in the books of hadith.
I have endeavored to be as accurate and scientific as possible in presenting what has been recorded in the commonly accepted Islamic sources. I share the aspiration of most Muslims to see the Muslim nation heed the call of the Holy Qur'an: "Truly your nation is one nation, and I am your Lord. Therefore, worship Me." [2]
Another aim is to build a strong, cohesive, cooperative Muslim community around the globe, and for this nation to be respected, it must be united. Muslims must understand and accept each other's positions and principles. The best way to disperse the misunderstandings and misconceptions between the schools of thought is through constructive, sincere, and objective dialogue. If the Holy Qur'an invites the adherents of the three monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) to share dialogue in a civilized manner [3], then certainly the schools of Islamic thought can come together to discuss their differences based on the Holy Qur'an and the authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hf). While none can deny that the schools of thought have juristic (fiqh) differences, these differences should not prevent adherents to these schools from acknowledging and respecting each other's opinions, for the leaders of these schools of thought acquired their knowledge from one source - the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf), and, ultimately, the Almighty Allah.
The Almighty Allah created human beings with both an inner messenger and an outer messenger. Both the inner messenger, which is the brain or the reasoning faculty, and the outer messenger, which is the divine revelation, invite them to exercise their intellectual abilities to search for the truth and not to take their customs, traditions, or family behavior as sacred beliefs. This call is directed to followers of all branches of Islam. All Muslims must research and study their history and not be bound by the customs and traditions of their ancestors which may not rest on solid grounds, for the Holy Qur'an condemns the blind following of ancestors:
And when it is said to them, "Come to what Allah has revealed and to the Messenger," they say, "Enough for us is that which we found our fathers following," even though their fathers had no knowledge whatsoever and no guidance. (5:104)
When it is said to them, "Follow what Allah has sent down," they say, "Nay! We shall follow what we found our fathers following." Would they do that even though their fathers did not understand anything, nor were they guided? (2:170)
I ask all who read this book to read it objectively, with open-mindedness and without sectarian biases, and I welcome any suggestions, criticisms, or inquiries.
I ask Allah for guidance and enlightenment in our search for the truth. May Allah open our hearts and minds to the truth, and may Allah guide us and extend His mercy upon us, for He is the one who grants all things. Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You; truly, You are the Bestower.[4] I ask Allah for His mercy, grace, and blessings in this endeavor, and I ask the readers for their prayers that we all continue to be humble servants of the religion of Allah on earth.
Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini
August 13, 1999
Orange County, California
About the Book
Inquiries About Shi'a Islam attempts to bridge the gap between the Islamic schools of thought by clarifying common misconceptions about Shi'a Islam and explaining philosophies and practices specific to the Shi'a school of thought. These issues are discussed primarily in the light of the Holy Qur'an and the traditions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf) as related in the books of hadith. The overwhelming goal of this book is to encourage true Muslim unity through dialogue and understanding of the different ideologies present in Islam today.
About the Author
Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini was born in Karbala, Iraq. He graduated from the Islamic seminary in Qum, Iran and immigrated to the United States of America. He
is the founder of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County - California.
Abbreviations
(pbuh&hf) - Peace be upon him and his family, used after the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) - Peace be upon him/her, used after the names of prophets and the imams from the family of the Holy Prophet (pbuh&hf)
(pbut) - Peace be upon them
Notes:
[1] Qur'an 39:18
[2] Qu'ran 21:92
[3] Qur'an 3:64
[4] Qur'an 3:8
