Ask a Shia

[Karbala]

Being a Shia, what does this exactly mean? I mean the whole concept of being a shia? where does the term derive from?
Being a shia, to what does this attribute?

Ahsantum.


:bismillah:


Sectarianism is haram in Islam and the word Shia was never meant to be a cause of splitting into sects. Nowadays it is popularly used for Muslims adhering to the school of AhlulBayt.


The word شِيعَتِهِ (Shia) by itself has no positive or negative connotation it simply means "follower" or "member of Group".


In the Quran several types of Shia have been identified eg.


1. Shia of Nuh :asalam:


<b>37:83 Verily among those who followed his Way (شِيعَتِهِ)was Abraham.</b>


2. Shia of Musa :asalam:


<b>28:15 Now the man of his own religion شِيعَتِهِ appealed to him against his foe, </b>


3. Shia who rebel.


<b>19:69 and thereupon We shall, indeed, draw forth from every group (شِيعَةٍ) the ones that had been most determined in their disdainful rebellion against the Most Gracious.</b>


However the Prophet of Mercy :saws2: mentioned a very specific sort of Shia in relation to Ali ibn Abi Talib.


<i>"I swear by the one who controls my life that this man (Ali) and his Shi'a shall secure deliverance on the Day of Resurrection.""</i>


Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthur, (Cairo) vol. 6, p. 379


Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Tafsir Jami' al-Bayan, (Cairo) vol. 33, p. 146


Ibn Asakir, Ta'rikh Dimashq, vol. 42, p. 333, p. 371


Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, (Cairo) Ch. 11, section 1, pp 246-247


There are also other similar traditions which mention the Shia of Ali. Hence following the words of the Holy Prophet :saws2: and the example from Quran we sometimes call ourselves Shia and we see no harm in it.


Personally I am very careful regarding this term and do not like to be referred by it. There is a famous incident during the life of Ali ibn Abi Talib some men came to him and called him saying that they were his Shia. Upon seeing them Ali was dissapointed and said his Shia were men who were thin due to abstaining from haram food, had sujood marks on their foreheads and other characteristics. I could never ever claim to be a true Shia of Ali I am simply too weak and sinful.


Hope that answers your question. :)