Shia Muslims: can you answer a Q (I'm just wondering)

Question

I just wanted to ask exactly what s**+'a people believe, because here's what I've heard:

That shia shahadah (declaration of faith) is different to the rest of the Muslim's shahadah ("ashaho an la ellah ella allah, wa ana mohammad rasoul allah, wa ana ali wali allah") which means there is no god but allah and muhammed is the messenger of allah and Ali is the friend of Allah - something like that)

Shia people curse Ayesha (RA)

Shia people only pray 3 x a day

What do the 12 imams have to do with Shia beliefs?

Do s**+'a people hurt each other and themselves when mourning in Muharram (Islamic month), and if so, isn't that haram?

Do Shia believe that Ali should have been the first caliph?

Do Shia believe in 'Eid al Ghadir' and if so, what is it and why?

Lastly, do the Shia believe in visiting prophetic shrines and tombs?

Is what I've heard correct or am I wrong? If so, can you please correct me? Thank you

Answer 1

Ok well this shia (me) says that shahada and the "normal" one as well. I say both, because to me though the words are different, the sentiment is the same thing.

I certianly do not curse Ayesha (RA) I love her in fact. I love the Prophets (PBUH) family. How can one love the Prophet (PBUH) but not his fmaily? I actually want to name my daughter (inshallah) after her.

We pray 5 times a day

I haven't heard of the 12 imams thing

NO, we do not. Only the extremists do. We tap our chests 9the men do, women don't) but it's not to cause pain, because as you said sister, haraam.

Yes, we do.

I'm not sure what that is

We visit them to show respect, liek how anybody visits a tomb. It is not for worship, or for lookign for a sign.

Sister I applaud you for actually asking these questions rather than basing your beliefs about s**+'a on myths. People wil tell you weird things about s**+'a, things that as a shia I haven't even heard of. And okay, I'm not a textbook s**+'a I'll say that right now. I believe in one ummah, not a bunch of sects. But the fmaily I married into is s**+'a so that's why i answered your question(s).

Sister, please continue on looking for answers and please don't bleieve lies what people say abotu s**+'as. We;re all Muslims, right? Only Allah can judge.

May Allah smile down upon you and bless you inshallah, Sister.  

EDIT: All of these other answers actually really hurt my feelings. Maybe I'm too sensitive to be here lol.

Answer 2

I just wanted to ask exactly what s**+'a people believe, because here's what I've heard:

q: That shia shahadah (declaration of faith) is different to the rest of the Muslim's shahadah ("ashaho an la ellah ella allah, wa ana mohammad rasoul allah, wa ana ali wali allah") which means there is no god but allah and muhammed is the messenger of allah and Ali is the friend of Allah - something like that)

a: The shahadah of all Muslims - Sunni and Shia is "ashaho an la ellah ella allah, wa ana mohammad rasoul allah" - It's the SAME. If a Shia Muslim says "wa ashado ana ali wali allah" they do not consider it part of the shahadah but they say it to proclaim their love for Ahlulbayt (AS) and affirm their Shiism.

q: Shia people curse Ayesha

a: Some Shia do laanat. It's not acceptable to swear at her.

q: Shia people only pray 3 x a day

a: Shia pray 5 times a day, but they have the option to pray the asr prayer after completing the dhuhr prayer, and they have the choice also to pray isha after completing the maghrib prayer. It's 5 prayers like normal, just sometimes we prayer earlier.

q: What do the 12 imams have to do with Shia beliefs?

a: The Imams (AS) are from Ahlulbayt (AS). They are the leaders of the Muslims after the death of the Prophet (SAW) and they are the maintainers of his sunnah. The Prophet told us to follow the Ahlulbayt and the Quran so we do. He also mentioned the 12 Imams for us. We are following his orders like all Muslims should.

q: Do s**+'a people hurt each other and themselves when mourning in Muharram (Islamic month), and if so, isn't that haram?

a: Some Shia do that but they don't represent Shiism. In fact this hitting stuff is not a part of Shia beliefs! It's just a cultural thing that has stuck. Most scholars consider cutting yourself up haram - depends on the extremeness. We don't condone it.

q: Do Shia believe that Ali should have been the first caliph?

a: Yes, as ordained by Allah. The Prophet declared him as the khalif after him but people took things into their own hands and usurped the leadership from Ali.

q: Do Shia believe in 'Eid al Ghadir' and if so, what is it and why?

a: The word "eid" means celebration, and we celebrate the event of al-ghadeer since it is the major event where the Prophet declared Imam Ali (AS) to be his successor. We believe there are two official eids in Islam - Eid al-adha and al-fitr. "Eid al-ghadeer" is not an official eid nor do we claim it is from the sunnah, thus it cannot be called a biddah in case you want to accuse us of that.

q: Lastly, do the Shia believe in visiting prophetic shrines and tombs?

a: Yes, why not? A lot of Sunnis, especially those who are sufis do it too.

Answer 3

The word 'Shia' means the followers, friends, supporters and members of the group belonging to a person. This word is commonly used for the person expressing his devotion and attachment to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his family (Ahlul Bayt). The family means Imam Ali (son in law of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)), Fatima (daughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) and their descendants, the Imams.

In addition to the above mentioned three principal beliefs common to all sects of the Muslims, the Shia Muslims believe also in the 'Justice of God' and the 'Imamat' i.e., the Twelve Imams after the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), as the fundamental principles of religion.

The position of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is much higher than that of Imam Ali (pbuh) or any other Imam, and all the Imams rank equal. Imam Ali (pbuh) and all the Imams are the followers of the religion of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). After God, there is no one equal to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Answer 4

i dont get shia muslims why do they make another type of islam islam is one and we follow the prophet muhammed s.a.w which was a sunni and it is in the quran i am a sunni and sunni is the right way which sahaba and rasululah were i follow the prophet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

ps make best answer!!!!

Answer 5

no shia will tell you exactly what they believe because pretty much every single one of them has its own little imaginary religion. and because shiism as a new religion or sect is still under construction... so its not finished yet, they are still adding stuff to it as needed.