03-29-2007, 11:36 PM
Quote:Bismillah
According to your understanding, then, what is the difference between Shia and Ahl ul-Sunnah?
:bismillah:
The question is very open ended and almost demands a multivolume book to be comprehensive. You are warned the answer may be lengthy. There is one MAJOR problem in answering this question.
I do not claim to be qualified to identify the beliefs of the Ahl al-Sunnah. In this matter I will appeal for the goodwill of others to show patience. If I make a mistake in this regard it is simply down to ignorance rather than malice. I will happily take corrections and criticisms. In any case I will do my best to refrain from stating the position of Ahl al-Sunnah and do my best to stick to the viewpoint of the School of AhlulBayt.
Nevertheless this humble servant with his weak understanding can only try his best.
Perhaps the most striking difference is regarding the position of Imamate or Leadership in Islam. For us the institution of Imamate is quite unique. Imam is used in the Quran in many different senses. The Imamate I refer to here is the Imamate vicegerency or Imamate synonymous with Khilafah.
<i>1. An Imam or Khalifah is necessary at all times as it is demanded by the Lutf (Grace) of Allah(swt)</i>
2. The Imam must be appointed only by Allah(swt).
3. The Imam must be Ma'sum or infallible.
4. The Imam must be Afhal or superior (in terms of knowledge piety etc)
al-'Allamah al-Hilli: al-Babu 'l-hadi 'ashar (cited in Imamate The Vicegerency of the Prophet by Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi http://al-islam.org/imamate)
Following are some verses on point 2.
<i>2. The Imam(or Khalifa) must be appointed only by Allah(swt). </i>
<b>2:30 Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a <span style="text-decoration:line-through;">خَلِيفَةً</span> (Khalifa) on earth."</b>
38:26 O David! We did indeed make thee a <span style="text-decoration:line-through;">خَلِيفَةً</span>(Khalifa) on earth
2:124 And remember that Abraham was tried by his Lord with certain commands, which he fulfilled: He said: "I will make thee an <span style="text-decoration:line-through;">إِمَامًا</span> (Imam) to the Nations." He pleaded: "And also (Imams) from my offspring!" He answered: "But My Promise is not within the reach of evil-doers."
21:73 And We made them <span style="text-decoration:line-through;">أَئِمَّةً </span> (Imams), guiding by Our Command
20:13 "I have chosen thee (Moses): listen, then, to the inspiration (sent to thee).
28:68 Thy Lord does create and choose as He pleases: no choice have they (in the matter): Glory to Allah. and far is He above the partners they ascribe (to Him)!
33:36 It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.
I think I will end here. I suspect that this discussion will not end here. If anyone wants to disagree or oppose any of my points can they please be specific and point to which part they disagree and state their evidences.
:wasalam: