(originally posted on MySpace)
My good friend Josh asked me this question. But what does it mean to be either?
Purists will say they are neither, but they then eschew the reality that some people do call themselves Sunni, and some Shia. Is sunnism the alter-ego of shiaism, is it everything that shiaism is not? Or is it something in it's own right, I think not!
Shia's say that they are the Party (lit: shia) of Ali (ra). And yet if I were alive at that time I would be the first to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ali (ra) against Muwaiyyah (ra). And yet I would not call myself Shia.
The Shia would scorn me for suffixing the name of Muwaiyyah with the honorific ra= may God be pleased with him. But I do, and I can do so whilst believing that he was wrong and fighting against him. And I can do so whilst also believing that Ali (ra) was one of the ashara mubashara (the blessed 10, who were given the good news of certain paradise even whilst they lived!).That is the essential difference between Sunni and Shia.
Purists will say they are neither, but they then eschew the reality that some people do call themselves Sunni, and some Shia. Is sunnism the alter-ego of shiaism, is it everything that shiaism is not? Or is it something in it's own right, I think not!
Shia's say that they are the Party (lit: shia) of Ali (ra). And yet if I were alive at that time I would be the first to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ali (ra) against Muwaiyyah (ra). And yet I would not call myself Shia.
The Shia would scorn me for suffixing the name of Muwaiyyah with the honorific ra= may God be pleased with him. But I do, and I can do so whilst believing that he was wrong and fighting against him. And I can do so whilst also believing that Ali (ra) was one of the ashara mubashara (the blessed 10, who were given the good news of certain paradise even whilst they lived!).That is the essential difference between Sunni and Shia.
Personailites v/s Community
Until very recently I thought of the difference between them was one of emphasis and not necessarily substance. The Shia focus on individuals and personalities, being the family and descendants of the Messenger of God. Whereas the Sunni focus on the community or nation (ummah) of the Messenger of God.
It all comes down to not just history, the history of 1400 years ago, but the interpretation of history. And it is that, that is of vital importance.
Until very recently I thought of the difference between them was one of emphasis and not necessarily substance. The Shia focus on individuals and personalities, being the family and descendants of the Messenger of God. Whereas the Sunni focus on the community or nation (ummah) of the Messenger of God.
It all comes down to not just history, the history of 1400 years ago, but the interpretation of history. And it is that, that is of vital importance.
The Importance of History ... and it's interpretation.
That is why with practically every important event that occurred to Muhammad (saw) and his family (as) and his companions (as), Allah t'ala revealed after the event the correct intrepretation of those events.
When the Muslims were shaken to the core by the shouts of Quraish on the battleground of Uhud; "Muhammed is dead!"; Allah t'ala revealed afterwards the famous passage that Abu Bakr (as) used so effectively when he did die. So that the Muslims could feel it in their bones, for indeed experience is the dearest teacher. The most costly, but most definitely the best.
And by fatah Mecca (the conquest of Mecca) they were well versed in that lesson. That to win is nothing, but to fight is everything.
Yet another reminder of the power of intrepretation is the treaty of Huddabiyah. Only after they returned did the revelation come announcing that it was a clear and manifest victory. And with it Allah t'ala declared that HE was pleased with the oath they had taken, even after they had disputed with Muhammad (saw) with respect to it.
How you interpret history manifestly affects both your world-view and your behaviour. And the difference between shia and sunni... is in the interpretation of our history.
That is why with practically every important event that occurred to Muhammad (saw) and his family (as) and his companions (as), Allah t'ala revealed after the event the correct intrepretation of those events.
When the Muslims were shaken to the core by the shouts of Quraish on the battleground of Uhud; "Muhammed is dead!"; Allah t'ala revealed afterwards the famous passage that Abu Bakr (as) used so effectively when he did die. So that the Muslims could feel it in their bones, for indeed experience is the dearest teacher. The most costly, but most definitely the best.
And by fatah Mecca (the conquest of Mecca) they were well versed in that lesson. That to win is nothing, but to fight is everything.
Yet another reminder of the power of intrepretation is the treaty of Huddabiyah. Only after they returned did the revelation come announcing that it was a clear and manifest victory. And with it Allah t'ala declared that HE was pleased with the oath they had taken, even after they had disputed with Muhammad (saw) with respect to it.
How you interpret history manifestly affects both your world-view and your behaviour. And the difference between shia and sunni... is in the interpretation of our history.
God's right to TRY us.Muhammad (saw) declared that if his blessed daughter Fatima (ra) were to steal, then her hand would be forfeit. So then if his family (as) were subject to the same earthly laws that bind us all together in this mundane sphere of life, would they not be subject to the cosmological laws that God has over His slaves.
That God gives without measure and retains the right to try us, to see which of us will remain true.
In short the Shia withdraw that right of GOD, and substitute in it's place privilege.
That God gives without measure and retains the right to try us, to see which of us will remain true.
In short the Shia withdraw that right of GOD, and substitute in it's place privilege.
Whereas for the Sunni the right remains with GOD, the Creator, Sustainer and ever Giver.
This is the story of Islam's first family, the story of our Hajj.
Abraham's family, that we might be like Ismail when he (ra) said :"God willing, you will me patient and persevering"...and like Bibi Hagar(ra) whom we honour both in the Sai and in the stoning of the Jamraat Kabeer.
But this does not mean that we are push-overs, and take all that life thows at us! By no means no! We submit to Gods way, and stone the devil. And never relent in asking from Him who gives without measure.
This is the story of Islam's first family, the story of our Hajj.
Abraham's family, that we might be like Ismail when he (ra) said :"God willing, you will me patient and persevering"...and like Bibi Hagar(ra) whom we honour both in the Sai and in the stoning of the Jamraat Kabeer.
But this does not mean that we are push-overs, and take all that life thows at us! By no means no! We submit to Gods way, and stone the devil. And never relent in asking from Him who gives without measure.
So it was with Muhammad (saw).
The son (of so many generations) of Qusai who united the Quraish and brought them into Mecca. The great-grandson of Hashim who broke the bread in the broth of the pilgrims (an act of generosity unheard of), who made Quraish rich by organizing both the Winter and Summer Caravans. The grandson of Abdul-Muttalib who found zam-zam, the blessed water, and the Chief who dealt with Abraha of the Elephant. The son of Abdullah, worth a hundred camel.. slaughtered for charity and left so that any man could partake. The most kingliest geneology and heritage of his people! For each of his ancestors, fathers and fathers, were Kings (unspoken) in their own rights.
To be hunted, sought to be murdered, run out of his town for saying that God is One. To be hated, reviled, abused... Muhammad (saw) the one who loved hospitality, kinship and friendship. To have no son... whilst he, himself, loved children. Trials by the dozen...And then God rewarded him with a home-coming like no other, a nation that loves him dearly to this very day, and two grandsons whom he loved dearly. May Allah t'ala reward him like no other, abundantly, for that he (saw) taught us belief and how to live!
So it will be with his family (as).
God will try them as He tries us all! And the greatest of trials for them was the succession to leadership after Muhammad (saw).The Shia do not understand this simple fact.
That even if you live in the most desolate land, in a cell 4x4 and devote yourself to His service... even then God will find a way to try you. If you spend without regard on the poor, God will try you not with money but with something dearer than money to your heart.
Then what of the 10,000 saints foretold in the scriptures of old (bible) who took Mecca, the blessed city, with Muhammad (saw)?
Khalid (ra), saif ullah, sought death a thousand times in the thick of battle. When he died, a peaceful death, there was not an inch of him without a scar or wound. And his trial was not death on a sword but disgrace before Umar (ra). With 10,000 saints would not God try them one with another?
With the family of the Messenger of God (saw) would not God try them with the Ummah (nation) of the Messenger of God (saw)?
Imam Ali (ra).
And for me I am happy that Ali (ra) did not succumb to his trail of what he thought was his right and later did give bayah to Abu Bakr as-Sadiq (ra).
And during his own time was when the Ummah needed him most.
The greatness of a person is often shown when GOD chooses to raise them, and each of the Khulafah Rashidun GOD blessed with phenomenal energy, strength, patience and the ability to negotiate.
The greatness of a person is often shown when GOD chooses to raise them, and each of the Khulafah Rashidun GOD blessed with phenomenal energy, strength, patience and the ability to negotiate.
And yet we pray for them all and the ahl ul-bait (the family of Muhammad (saw)), daily!
May God bless them and give them understanding of His ways, and the ways to HIM.
Shafi
PS.. I do not write to spoon-feed, any that wants to know what I say, let him study.
May God bless them and give them understanding of His ways, and the ways to HIM.
Shafi
PS.. I do not write to spoon-feed, any that wants to know what I say, let him study.
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