05-18-2004, 02:28 PM
Quote:How do you know they exist...come on man...Well, like I said, I've read about them. And, since I don't have "proof" by way of hadith, I have referred you to Farhad Daftary who writes about shias quite a bit, especially his text on the Ismailis. If you are curious, you can probably find the answers you're looking for there. Or, look into Aga Khani doctrine. Anyway, I don't put much stock into ahadith; whether they are "verified" or not, the truth of the oral traditions is questionable at best. I try not to base my beliefs solely on the evidence of the traditions.Also, I don't actually know to what degree your average shia realizes this is a belief -- from what I have read this is more an esoteric tenet of the faith that one encounters if reading more involved history, rather than something one is taught in school. And, as I said in my original post, SOME shias believe this. I don't know how many of the different shia groups hold this belief -- the Ismailis do, but it is possible for instance that the Ithna Ashiri do not.
Produce your proof when you say things...