Sunni Shiite Islam

Wa-alaikum-Salaam

Mr Ali Zaki you wrote: REGARDING RELIANCE ON QURAN ALONE

I find your argument strange (if you are a Sunni) as the word Sunni derives from the people of the "Sunna" of the prophet. As you know, the Holy Quran is (primarily) a book of religious principles and general guidance. If we ignore the "Sunnah"  (customs, traditions, etc.) of our Holy Messenger, then we would not even be sure about the exact method of prayer, which is wajib for all Muslims.

You find my argument strange because you have not understood what I mean by following the Qur�an alone. When you follow the Qur�an alone you should follow every message that Allah has conveyed to you without choosing what you wish to follow and what you wish to leave out. Allah has made it very clear to us in the Qur�an that we must follow His Apostle Muhammad (SAW):

058.020: Those who resist Allah and His Messenger will be among those most humiliated

058.021: Allah has decreed: "It is I and My messengers who must prevail": For Allah is One full of strength, able to enforce His Will.

065.011: A  Messenger, who rehearses to you the Signs of Allah containing clear explanations, that he may lead forth those who believe and do righteous deeds from the depths of Darkness into Light. And those who believe in Allah and work righteousness, He will admit to Gardens beneath which Rivers flow, to dwell therein for ever: Allah has indeed granted for them a most excellent Provision.

From the above it is clear that we cannot follow the Qur�an without following the Messenger of Allah. We conduct our lives in accordance to the teachings of the messenger of Allah without whom we would be lost. The majority of the Hadith pertaining to all the fard are from those who were closest to him during his lifetime.

Regarding the repeated claim which is often said that we need scholars to understand the Qur�an refutes these verses in the Qur�an:

002.121: Those to whom We have sent the Book study it as it should be studied: They are the ones that believe therein: Those who reject faith therein,- the loss is their own.

047.024: Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them?

047.025: Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes.

036.069: We have not instructed the (Prophet) in Poetry, nor is it meet for him: this is no less than a Message and a Qur'an making things clear:

003.007: He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed.

As long as we obey the word of Allah completely as ordained for us in the Qur�an and follow the Messenger of Allah, we would be one Ummah.

We fall into divisions only when we start further derivations by saying that we need scholars to understand the Qur�an. Despite, Allah saying that He has made the Qur�an easy for us to follow and each one of us He has blessed with a mind to understand, we look out for sources that at times take us away from following His commands. If one  has all the time, energy and the resources to look up the derivations of all the scholars then make up his/her own mind based upon ones own learning of the Qur�an , the likelihood of that person following into error would be minimised because he knows what is there in the Qur�an and he would look to find if what he is being taught by the scholar conforms to the Message Allah has for him in the Qur�an. Scholars do assist us in understanding the Qur�an but complete reliance on scholars without using our minds in my opinion would be to our own loss.

The Sunnis follow some scholars who are not acceptable to the Shias and the Shias follow some scholars who are not acceptable to the sunnis. We have to realise that these scholars are human beings and are fallible. More often than not Allah has advised us to obey His commands as enunciated in the Qur�an and to obey His Messenger, we have not been told to look out for scholars to understand the Qur�an.

When I do not find anything in the Qur�an or from the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) relating to the observance of mourning during Moharram with further exaggeration by �matam� which seems to rule the lives of Shias, the temporary marriage contract etc, I believe the Shias have no one but themselves to blame, because AlhamdulIllah the Qur�an is available to everyone of us and translators and scholars (May Allah bless them) have translated it into almost every language, so we have no excuse.

Alakum Salam Midway,

All respectfully phrased questions are welcomed! Only those who have something to hide are afraid of being questioned!

As for your first question, the reference of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his return) does NOT refer to Nabi Isa (a.s.), although we (like the Sunni) believe he will return to the earthly plane of existence at the same time as the Imam.

Here are some traditions (from Shia collections of Hadith) regarding the Qaim (the Awaited One).

"Fatima Zahra told her son Husayn:

When I gave birth to you, the Prophet came to see me. He took you in his hands and said to me: "O Fatima, take your Husayn, and know that he is the father of nine Imams. From his descendants will appear righteous leaders among whom the ninth will be the Qa'im."

Ithbat al-hudat, Vol. 2, p. 552.

Husayn b. 'Ali said:

Twelve Imams will be from among us. The first among them will be 'Ali b. Abi Talib and the last will be my ninth descendant, the rightful Qa'im. Because of his blessed existence God will bring back the dead earth to life and prosperity. God will give victory to His religion over all other religions, even if this be against the liking of the disbelievers. The Mahdi will disappear from public for a while. During his occultation a number of people will abandon religion, whereas others will remain steadfast and will suffer because of their faith. This latter group will be asked tauntingly: "If your belief is true, when would your promised Imam rise?" But, remember that whoever perseveres under those unfavorable circumstances when enemies would falsify and harm them, their status will be like those who fought by the side of the Prophet in defending the religion of God."

Bihar al-anwar, Vol. 51, p. 133.

For a complete listing of similar hadith, see the following site: http://al-islam.org/mahdi/nontl/Chap-2.htm

The Shia belief is that the 12th Imam has already been born (i.e., was the son of the 11th Imam, Imam Hasan 'Askari (a.s.)) and is currently absent from the earthly plane of existence (i.e., in occultation).

Regarding you second question ("What do you think of the fact that Shia�s �worship� the shrine of Imam Ali {AS}.") this is a common misconception among non-Shia. The Shia do not worship anything other than Allah (s.w.a.), and do not associate any partners for him. The Shia do, however, has a strong spritual feeling for/connection with Imam Ali (a.s.) and do believe that the Imams are "alive" ("Do not imagine those who have been killed in God's path to be dead; rather they are alive and receive sustenance in the presence of their Lord" (3:169).) and can be "visited" (i.e., Ziara), however, this does not mean they have some type of physical presence at their shrines. In fact, one can perform Ziara from anywhere, however, it is preferable for the worshiper to "visit" them at their shrine for obvious reasons. The Prophet (a.s.) and the Imams were only loyal and obiedient servents of Allah (s.w.a.), as they said themselves, and were given their lofty stature only by the will of Allah (s.w.a.)

Regarding your third question, this is also very common. If you would like to know more about why the Shia commemorate the death of Imam Husayn (a.s.), and it's importance there are many comprehensive references. In short, the purpose of the mourning of the death of Imam Husayn is an everlasting lesson of what it means to "enjoin the good and forbid the evil".

" Mahmoud Ayoub in his study of the devotional aspects of 'Ashura', Redemptive Suffering in Islam, justifiably interprets the Imam's message to Muslims as a call for enjoining good and prohibiting evil. In a will he made to Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah while departing from Makkah, the Imam declares: 

Indeed, I have not risen up to do mischief, neither as an adventurer, nor to cause corruption and tyranny. I have risen up solely to seek the reform of the Ummah of my grandfather (S). I want to command what is good and stop what is wrong, and (in this) I follow the conduct of my grandfather and my father, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib.

In a letter that he wrote to the people of Kufah, in a short sentence he outlines the Islamic concept of a worthy ruler: 

By my life, the leader is one who acts in accordance with the Scripture, upholds justice in society, conducts its affairs according to what is righteous, and dedicates his self to God. Was-salam."

SOURCE: http://al-islam.org/al-tawhid/default.asp?url=paradigm-akhta r.htm

If you would like to know more about this subject, I recommend http://al-islam.org/short/Karbala.htm

As for the "beating" or "self-multilation", these are mainly cultural, not religious practices that have particular significance to the way in which mourning is carried out in various cultures. Islam does not prohibit cultural practices, unless they disagree with Islam. The Shia Ulama unanimously agree that is haram to injure yourself, and this also applies to mourning for Imam Hussein (a.s.).

Salam

1.) Are you fluent in Arabic (speaking and writing formal Arabic) ? If the answer is no, then you are not reading Quran, but someones subjective opinion about how the words and concepts which were revealed in Arabic can be translated to a different language. This is important to consider.

Not if you go with translitteral translations, all the avaible encyclopedia and arab langauge tools avaible, and make up your own mind. Its the same way i learned about king gilgamehs and the finds they did regarding him. The clay tablets are in kuneform. Do i speak that or know how to read it par se?? nobody does! Do we know what it says? yes we do. Language is a tool and nothing else. And as with any other tool, if you understand the basic principle of it, you can operate it at a satisfying level, the rest is mastering it.

2.) Are you familiar with the difference between the mohkam (clear, unambigious verses) and the mutashabihat (ambigious verses) in Quran?

Absolutely.

�He is the One who sent down to you the book, from which there are firm verses; they are the mother of the book; and others which are of a similarity. As for those who have disease in their hearts, they will follow what is of a similarity from it seeking to make an ordeal, and seeking to derive its interpretation. But none know its interpretation except GOD and those who are well founded in knowledge. They say: 'we have faith in it, all is from our Lord'. And none will remember except the people of understanding.� (3:7)

God told me. And if im to prove a point regarding translation. Here are 5 translation, the translitteral and the original wording.

Transliteration Huwa allathee anzala AAalayka alkitaba minhu ayatun muhkamatun hunna ommu alkitabi waokharu mutashabihatun faamma allatheena fee quloobihim zayghun fayattabiAAoona ma tashabaha minhu ibtighaa alfitnati waibtighaa ta/weelihi wama yaAAlamu ta/weelahu illa Allahu waalrrasikhoona fee alAAilmi yaqooloona amanna bihi kullun min AAindi rabbina wama yaththakkaru illa oloo al-albabi Y.Ali: He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: In it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: 'We believe in the Book; the whole of it is from our Lord:' and none will grasp the Message except men of understanding. Pickthal: He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - they are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical seeking (to cause) dissension by seeking to explain it. None knoweth its explanation save Allah. And those who are of sound instruction say: We believe therein; the whole is from our Lord; but only men of understanding really heed. Shakir: He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say: We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding. Literal: He is who descended on you The Book , from it (are) perfected/tightened verses, they are (F) The Book's origin/mother , and others resembling/ambiguous/obscure , so but those who in their hearts/minds (is) deviation from truth , so they follow what resembled from it, asking/desiring the treason and asking/desiring its interpretation/explanation , and none knows its interpretation/explanation except God. And the affirmed in the knowledge , they say: "We believed with it, all/each (is) from at our Lord, and none remember/mention except (those) of the pure minds/intelligence ."

And finally a pretty good translation made by progressivemuslims

3:8 He is the One who sent down to you the Scripture, from which there are resolute verses; they are the essence of the Scripture; and others which are similar. As for those who have disease in their hearts, they will follow what is similar from it seeking to confuse, and seeking to derive an interpretation. But none know its interpretation except God and those who are well founded in knowledge, they Say: "We believe in it, all is from our Lord." And none will remember except the people of understanding.

Dont let anyone tell you that Gods message is not easily understood in any language. And if you do your homework, you will realise that these translations arent half bad. Check the literal for yourself.

As for what Gods attitude is towards playing the language game just like the catholic church did by forcing latin on everybody. He knew upfront that this would be the case.

"If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, 'If only its verses were made clear!. Can it be Arabic and non-Arabic?'. Say, "For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it, as if they are being addressed from faraway." (41:44)

Altso, Mohammad (Gbh) came to a people who never had a warner before him, so naturally arab was chosen as it was the language spoken by this people. Not because arabs was superior or anything like it.

No language is any holier than another.

And among his signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your languages and colours. Certainly, in that there are signs for the knowledgeable. [30:22]

All of the languages of mankind are among the signs of God.

Mankind was one community.. [2:213],

and thus had one language. All languages can be traced back to the comprehensive (kullahaa) prototype language of descriptions/names (al-asmaa�a) taught to Adam by God.

And He taught Adam the names, all of them..[2:31].

By means of being the Teacher of language to humans He is thus also, the Teacher of the recitation [55:3].

He taught him explanation /elucidation /clearness (al-bayaana) [55:4].

A general characteristic of all languages is making things clear.

God is ..The One who teaches with the pen. He teaches the human what he didn�t know [96:4-5].

This is talking about the use of pen in general terms throughout all humanity. The use of the pen in language, writing descriptions (al-asmaa�a), teaches the human what he didn�t know. In [8:31] Adam was taught the names while the angels hadn�t yet been taught them and were asked by God to communicate to Him (anbi�uwnee) the names.

They said, Glory be to you, we have no knowledge except what you have taught us..[2:32].

Adam, the human, taught by God by means of the pen (written language) what he didn�t know, was now asked by God to communicate to the angels (anbi�hum) the names (al-asmaa�a) that they didn�t have knowledge of. Thus, through the use of the pen Adam communicated the meaning of the names to the angels.
(thanks to Neil Maybanks who did the foot work on this)

It is pretty obvious, that language is merely a tool for us to use, but yes. Admitted. It takes time.

3.) When you read an Ayat of Quran, do you know if it was revealed in Mecca or Medina?

No, and i fail to see why it is important.

4.) Do you know if the Ayat you are reading is specific (i.e., meant to address the Muslims regarding a specific situation) or general?

Im unsure what you are asking brother, Could you give me an example?

5.) Do you know if the verse has been abrogated, and the abrogating verse?

For those of us (like me) who lack this knowledge, we must depend on scholars for guidance.