Every major religion has produced various deviant ‘SECTS’ or divisions contrary to the original founder’s thoughts/purpose. Islam is a worldly religion and as such is no different than other religions that came before it on this point. Indeed Prophet Muhammad (pbh) has stated:

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) said, “What comes over my nation will surely be what came over the children of Israel, step by step until if one of them fornicated with his mother, one from my nation would do the same. Verily, the children of Israel split into seventy-two sects and my nation will split into seventy-three sects.” They said, “Who are they {the ones to be saved}, O Messenger of ALLAH?” The Prophet said, “Those who follow my way and my companions {the main body of people following Islam}”                              Sunan (Tirmidhī)

 

There are always foolish so-called experts who persist in lies and mistruths like the so-called Shi‘ah scholar – Ayatollah Murtadha al-‘Askari in his book (ABDU’L-LAH IBN SABA & OTHER MYTHS). These people bring to their admirer’s lots of FAKE PROOF that corrupt religious ideas and practices are the right way to go to gain GOD’s LOVE! The result being that people act contrary to the truth and commit gross errors and religious falsehoods!

The game is over, the myth must be understood. Modern Shi‘ah thought, as preached by Shi‘ah scholars, is dysfunctional. It would be best for the Shi‘ah to get real, for Paradise and Hell-fire are real, and forego magnified hero worship and false beliefs and join the fold of real Islam again.

For example, modern Shi‘ah thought depends a lot on pretending that the traitorous devil ‘Abdullah ibn Saba, nicknamed ibn Al-Sawda (the black) did not exist and therefore, did not have an influence on Shi‘ah philosophy. Secondly, the book al-Kafi, by which many Shi‘ah hold dear, simply is not worth the paper it is printed on!

In truth, this devil, ‘Abdullah ibn Saba DID EXIST and did have a big influence on Shi‘ahism. Dr. Sa’di al-Hashimi’s book Ibn Saba: Haqiqh La Khayal (pp. 25-28) has even listed over 20 Shi‘ah sources testifying to the evil Ibn Saba’s existence.

Secondly, the hero worship on the Imams has set up the Shi‘ah to believe in a lot of rubbish since they have ridiculous sayings (hadiths) narrated in such books as al-Kafi, Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Tahdhib al-Ahkam and al-Istibsar. Some of the prolific narrators of Shi‘ahism are Zuraarah ibn A’yan, Muhammad ibn Muslim at-Ta’ifi, Abu Basir layth ibn al-Bakhtari al-Muradi and Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar al-Ju’fi. One key note here is to keep in mind that all four of these criminal liars were based in Kufah, the hotbed of Shi‘ah disbelief.

Ja’far as-Sadiq, whom the Shi‘ah claim to love, cursed Zurarah many times. Who was Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (702-765 AC)? He was a descendent of Ali from his father’s side (Muhammad al-Baqir) and from Abu Bakr his mother’s side (Farwah bint al-Qasim). He was a very great man and scholar giving a big influence to the Sunni Hanafi and Maliki schools of thought.

According to Ja’far as-Sadiq, “By ALLAH, he (Zurarah) has ascribed lies to me! By ALLAH, he has ascribed lies to me! By ALLAH, he has ascribed lies to me! May ALLAH curse Zurarah! May ALLAH curse Zurarah! May ALLAH curse Zurarah! From Ikhtiyar Ma’rifat ar-Rijal, vol. 1 p. 361).

The foul individual Muhammad ibn Muslim at-Ta’ifi, was also cursed mightily by Ja’far as-Sadiq (vol. 1 p. 394).

Abu Basir al-Muradi is also another oddball that is a highly suspect narrator of hadith especially on religious grounds (meaning his behavior) and would automatically, if he was a Sunni Muslim narrator, be labeled as a liar and all his hadiths would be disallowed and marked as untrustworthy.

Many Shi‘ah scholars today actually consider Mufaddal al-Ju’fi quite praiseworthy and a wonderful reporter of special Imamtype hadiths. Yet, the great and beloved, by Shi‘ah, Imam Ja’far, addressed al-Ju’fi as a KAFIR (unbeliever) and a MUSHRIK (one who associates beings other than or with ALLAH as in sharing with ALLAH’s Attributes)                                                                                                       (Ikhtiyar Ma’rifat ar-Rijal vol. 2 p. 612)

Ja’far’s patience and humble forbearance in life would not go well with later Shi’ah scholars. This led to latter Shi‘ah scholars trying to rig the system by inventing the ignorant philosophy of Taqiyya (a type of masterful lying to cover up the tracks of deceit). In truth, Ja’far al-Sadiq MARKS THE REAL END OF TRUE SHI’AHISTIC THOUGHT!}

We can tell from this that the Real Shi’ah-type thought DIED when Ja’far as-Sadiq’s soul passed on. However, the magic of being special and magical led other corrupt individuals to start to invent virtually a new religion by degrading the Real Islam.

Naturally, by degrading Real Islam, they could be freer to improvise and manipulate the truth to their advantage but ONLY UNDER THE GUISE OF PRETENDING TO BE RIGHTEOUS MUSLIMS. After all, why go through the trouble of starting a brand new religion when one can use parts of the old one to manipulate people.

Modern day Shi‘ah thought considers Abu Bakr and ‘Umar al-Khattab to be the so-called two idols of the Quraish and therefore it is correct , in their minds, in maligning these two blessed and holy men of ALLAH. However, Ja’far bin Muhammad (al-Sadiq) from his father Muhammad bin ‘Ali (al-Baqir) from Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib said, “Abu Bakr al-Sideeq became our Caliph (the first Caliph in Islam) and he was the BEST OF THE CALIPHS OF ALLAH.

He declared that Abu Bakr was most merciful and most caring towards us. Yet in another saying, Abu Abdullah Ja’far bin Muhammad (al-Sadiq) said, “ALLAH has DISASSOCIATED HIMSELF FROM THOSE WHO HAVE DISASSOCIATED THEMSELVES FROM ABU BAKR AND ‘UMAR.” – True Shi‘ah hadiths that condemn modern day Shi ‘ahism!!!

Where does this leave current Shi‘ahism? For sure, it leaves current modern day Shi‘ahism in an extremely weak position with their base religious beliefs being found not particularly sustainable! That, however, won’t bother any Shi‘ah in particular because who really cares about the TRUTH!!!

I’m not just picking on the Shi‘ah as all religions and factions tend to behave strangely at times. Most of us like to play funny games with the world around us as we see it. Certain blind spots set up in our brains allow us to reconcile the world as it is with the world as we desire it to be. And if our desires are corrupt, so also will our machinations be in a worldly sense.

According to psychologists, this reduces the clash of ‘cognitive dissonance’ that many have so that we can feel happy about ourselves. Therefore, like an induced hallucinogenic drug, we search for a comfort zone of beliefs NOT based on reality but based on conceived perceptions that we hold dear.

This leads us to see only what we want to see which is called  ‘confirmation biases’ and therefore we can ignore or filter out what doesn’t fit the preferred worldview that we have been cherishing amongst our precious dispositions.

One tends to find this a lot when one encounters people discussing Comparative Religion. If they are not sincere seekers of truth, they tend to mark the deck in their favor.

So, who needs truth when we love to live in a fairyland of comforting misbelief and other things we self-create for ourselves?

Say: “Everyone acts according to his own disposition: but your LORD KNOWS BEST who it is that is best guided on the WAY” {the correct pathway as taught by all the prophets including Muhammad (pbh)}     Q (17: 84)

The difference between the Sunni branch of Islam and the Shi‘ah branch was very miniscule for only a few decades. However, due to the corruptions of certain criminal so-called scholars in taking advantage of certain ‘worldly’ situations and building upon the superstitious natures of a certain people, it was inevitable that a people coming from a ‘superstitious’ background, mainly in what is now modern Iraq (Babylonian ancient cult), would fall into fabrication of religious nonsense.

Comparative Religion is useful here because it should not be felt that Shi‘ahism is alone in manufacturing idol worship as part of a creed. This, Insha ALLAH, will be explained shortly as to the machinations of the topic of the so-called divine Imams as well as the story of the ‘hidden Imam’.

For example, in the New Testament, in the Gospel of John, one finds the budding of what might have grown into a fabrication of such religious nonsense just like the fabricated story of the Shi‘ah ‘hidden Imam’. The Old Testament also contains certain fabricated stories that have no position in reality. According to the Gospel of John:

Peter seeing him {John whom Jesus loved above his other Disciples} said to Jesus, “Lord, and what shall this man {John} do?”

Jesus said to him {Peter}, “If I will that he tarry till I come {forth again}, what is that to you? Follow thou me.”

Then went this saying abroad among the brethren {concerning John} that that disciple should NOT die; yet Jesus DID NOT SAY TO HIM, HE SHALL NOT DIE; but {he said} ‘If I will that he tarry till I come {forth again}, what is that to you?’                                  John (21: 21-23)

The above verses from the Gospel of John are both mystical and realistic and show a problem in the making and at least a partial solution. Whatever was meant by Prophet Jesus (pbh), it is clearly shown that his ‘beloved disciple’ would NOT hang around for a few thousand years as an undying entity waiting for the second coming of Jesus the Christ. Because we do not have a fuller handle on this quote, it is best to leave it alone.

For our purposes the meaning is not overly important. What is important is that certain sayings or beliefs can be twisted out of proportion resulting in a possible fantasy and illogical belief systems. Secondly, if we don’t have a chain of events linking this so-called story, it is probably best to leave it alone for the reasons of this saying not being directed at the common believer.

Whether the revelation is true or not, is another question. However, being placed inside a holy book does outrank a supposed saying by the prophet Jesus (pbh) found outside the New Testament found in certain ancient scrolls. This is how revelation versus the words of Prophet Muhammad (pbh) are looked at with the Quran taking precedence over the sayings of Muhammad (pbh) and then classifying his sayings as to their validity.

This idea becomes important when comparing the Holy and Sanctified Words of ALLAH with words claimed to be those of HIS Prophet (pbh). Then the true religious scholars can go forth and study the sayings of the Prophet (pbh) and weigh them on many fronts including that with the Revealed Word to ascertain the correctness of the saying as to it being trustworthy, dependable, questionable or falsified.

This is important when the eager soul investigates any topic and this is especially true with religion and pseudo-religious concepts. For example, the ‘sacrament of the holy Eucharist’ consists of taking a small wafer of bread supposedly (the body of Christ) dipped in wine supposedly (the blood of Christ) in the mouth and swallowing it thus apparently consuming Jesus in a ritual joining of what might be considered as souls.

This is a church invention and keen enquires into this thought will produce amazing things. First, if one bit the host in two parts, which one is not supposed to do, would this cut Jesus in half? Secondly, if the host fell out of someone’s mouth and dropped on the floor, would that mean Jesus might have fallen on his head?

These things were written to show what can be called religious invention NOT instituted by the main character involved (Jesus) but made up by lesser individuals (a priest-class) for the possible purpose of keeping a control of  individuals and a reinforcement of the imposed values of that particular institution/religion.

The wisest thing to do is to sift out the ridiculous inventions from the reality and therefore come up with the truth. Get to know the real Jesus or the real Muhammad versus the false, planted misconceptions and lies which cannot construct a bridge for salvation because salvation is the TRUTH and is NOT built on lies, fantasies or wishful thinking.

So what is idol worship? It is anything THAT TRIES TO PUT TO A LIE THAT THE ONE GOD IS UNIQUE IN HIS QUALITIES AND ABOVE THE COMPREHENSION OR CONTAINMENT OF MAN’S {ANY MAN’S} MIND INCLUDING THE PROPHETS WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR LORD DIRECTLY.

So idol worship can be considered an action attributing to what belongs ONLY to THE ONE GOD to any animate or inanimate thing as well as the common making of images or trinkets that are supposed to represent or bring one closer to THE ONE GOD.

Under this definition one can clearly see that Shi‘ah philosophy contains undisputed elements of idol worship and if one has doubts about this statement one should use the idea of ‘by their fruits {actions}, you will know them’. This sentiment is also a verse found in the New Testament.

You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?   Matthew (7:16)

Even a young man is known by his actions–whether his conduct is pure and upright.  Proverbs (20:11)

Making up religious doctrines, history, beliefs is nothing new amongst the wicked as one can learn from the following quote taken from Matthew in the New Testament:

The Pharisees and {self-proclaimed} wise-men sit upon the seat of Moses {as a pretense of maintaining the religious law of GOD}. Therefore, all that he (Moses) said to you do it {with diligence and good speed} but according to their own inventive reforms and their precedents {law making} do NOT do because they {these self-important hypocrites} talk but do NOT do.   Matthew (23: 2-3)

The Shi‘ah religion elevates certain numbers of people (generally 5 or 12 individuals depending upon the specific sect one belongs to) to a certain status of knowing the unseen etc. and being greater than the prophets themselves. That is not only slandering the truth but also idol worship as defined above.

How do we know this for sure? It is given to ALLAH and ALLAH ALONE to know the knowledge of the UNSEEN according to the Quran.

To know such things it is important not to go to the man on the street because he is NOT the builder of articles of faith nor is he a careful thinker about what is behind his or her religion but go to the Head characters that have in their hands the power to uphold or adamantly abolish the lies of corruption. Therefore, one can see who is telling the truth and who is a deviant liar.

So in short we turn to one of Shi‘ahisms most dynamic characters – Ayatollah Khomeini. Shi‘ahism was sort of buried in a non-consequential existence for many centuries as a private offshoot of mainstream Islam. Its existence was suppressed in its two major areas of stronghold: Iraq and Iran by various rulers who were corrupt.

However, like Adolf Hitler who was imprisoned but having his philosophy grow before his eyes wrote his philosophical conquering details  in his book, Mein Kompf, Ayatollah Khomeini was in a sanctuary-type prison in Iraq and feeling good about himself and his possible destiny of controlling ‘the times’. He was eventually getting ready to go back to Iran where his support was growing by leaps and bounds due to an oppressive leader in the Shaw of Iran and would eventually see this ruler of Iran flee for his life.

Around this time, many Muslims, who had abandoned good research knowledge as well as history, were feeling quite heady and intoxicated about sticking it to the West and Western leaders as well as trying to send a message to their leaders about becoming much more Islamic (which to their uneducated eyes would probably lead to instantaneous paradise).

Therefore, they saw in Khomeini a real live hero and that would be especially true later on as he magically waved his hand in a spiritually dynamic way from a private balcony when the US Embassy was attacked and hostages were illegally taken. This guy looked tough and saintly and a hero for depressed Muslims everywhere. Such are the deceptions of the world!

A few years before returning from exile, Khomeini gave a series of short lectures which was later turned into a book called Al-Hukoomatul-Islamiyyah or the Islamic Government. There was no need to hide from anyone anymore. Puffed up with pride, Khomeini could speak his peace without fear or contradiction. So he took the veil away from his heart and laid down what Shi‘ahism was really all about.

To make a long story short, he bragged about Shi‘ah religious ideals and the Infallibility of the Imams who not only knew the totality of the Unseen but were equated with being divine dispensers of truth giving directives equivalent in power and importance as that what can be found in ALLAH’s BOOK THE QURAN and who were in a higher position than any prophet and that includes Muhammad (pbh).

Based on these fictitious ideas the only real Islam was his type of Islam and the others could either denounce their Islam or go to hell in a hand basket for interfering with the injunctions laid down by the so-called holy Imams and of course him and his lot. Such was his mental state at the height of his so-called powers in Iran.

Other perverse tenets of the Shi ‘ah philosophy were spewed out by him and pompously solidified in his book when he declared to the effect that ‘Do you think that it is enough for us {Shiites} with respect to OUR religion, to collect its rulings and directives in Al-Kafi {and our other two major books}, then put it on a shelf and neglect it {not believe in it}?’

Tying in with this piece of nonsense are many, many things of which only three will be mentioned. These three things can be looked up in any responsible encyclopedia and in well-balanced websites for who is ashamed of the TRUTH let the TRUTH be ashamed of that individual!

Muslims base their religion first on ALLAH’s WORD, the SACCRED AND FLAWLESS QURAN, AND THEN ON THE FOLLOWING OF THE ACTIONS AND DEEDS OF THE PROPHET. HIS ACTIONS AND DEEDS WERE LAID DOWN AS THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF FAITH THAT CAN NOT BE OVERTURNED OR OVERRULED OR DISCARDED UNTIL THE RESURRECTION OF HUMANITY ON THE LAST DAY.

As I have shown in my other writings, both the Old Testament and the Quran declare that the Book of ALLAH, sometimes referred to as the ‘Uthmani Quran, is 100% correct with no single letter additions or subtractions possible. That means that what words are written in Arabic now was exactly that what was given to Muhammad (pbh) through the Auspices of Arch-Angel Gabriel.

But let’s look at what disdainful blurbs Shi’ism as put forth:

First, a Shi‘ah scholar honored in a prominent Shrine in the so-called holy city of Najaf by the name of Mirza Husain bin Muhammad Taqi An-Nawari At-Tabarsi wrote a book entitled, The Decisive Say on the Proof of Alteration of the Book of the Lord of Lords. This unbeliever’s book indirectly accuses ALLAH (THE ONE GOD OF ALL PEOPLES) of being a liar and an incompetent who cannot be powerful enough to protect HIS OWN WORD after HE declared that HE would protect it.

Backed up by hundreds of so-called scholars of Shi‘ahism from various ages, At-Tabarsi’s monstrous book defines the Shi ‘ah faith. From here, one can NOW create another similar religion based wholly on conjecture while passing it off at the same time as ‘ancient revealed truths’ – from a book, Al-Kafi, that happens to be over 1,000 years old.

Therefore, this utter piece of nonsense gives Shi‘ah scholars full reign to ‘create’ (invent) special features of Islam which never existed!!!!!!!!

Secondly, the knowledge that the ‘call to prayer’, a virtual stamp of identity of the religion of Islam, is NOT the same as was done by the Prophet (pbh) or his companions including ‘Ali! The addition may be slight but it adds the name of ‘Ali to it and any additions or subtractions to this or any other practice in Islam is completely forbidden and denounced as a practice of unbelief or shirk.

The third ridiculous point to be discussed in brief is the phantom story of the ‘hidden Imam’ and this is a good story to uncover the criminal so-called scholars and the criminal mind of the ‘Alawite or the fiver sect located mostly in Syria with populations in Turkey also.

When people take the responsibility to look up this menagerie of fiction and farce, one can immediately sense the perverse scholars at work inventing religion especially for the control of the general public and the financial benefits that go along with controlling the masses. So when putting these things to the test, it becomes easier to see how people through the auspices of falsehoods and false religious expressions can subdue and control a people and lead them into heretical beliefs.

The ordinary man on the street may be dazed and uncomprehending. So, look up the history about these things if you seem to be uncomfortable about it especially the zoo which they call the history behind the ‘hidden Imam’. And remember a very important point when the blind follow the blind.

That point is that weak ones who followed the repressive strong ones with no clear deal in their hearts about what to follow will ask that the mighty ones (their leaders of deception) be given double the punishment in the Hell-fire. For sure that will be granted but it will also be handed back to the weak ones who seemingly didn’t care at the time that they also will be given double the Chastisement!

But those who reject OUR Signs and treat them with arrogance, they are the Companions of the Fire to dwell therein (forever).

Who is more unjust than one who forges a lie against ALLAH or rejects HIS Signs? For such, their portion appointed must reach them from the Book (of Decrees): until, when OUR Messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls, they say: “Where are the things that you used to invoke besides ALLAH?” They will reply, “They have left us in the lurch,” and they will bear witness against themselves, that they had rejected ALLAH.

HE will say, “Enter you in the company of the Peoples who passed away before you – men and Jinns, – into the Fire”. Every time a new People enters, it curses its sister-People (that went before), until they follow each other, all into the Fire. The last declares about the first, “Our LORD! It is these that misled us; so give them a double Punishment in the Fire.” HE will say, “Doubled for ALL” but this you will not understand {at this time}.

Then the first will say to the last, “See then! NO advantage have you OVER US; so taste you all of the Chastisement for ALL that YOU DID!”      Q (7: 36-39)

We are NOT privy to the secrets of the heart nor are we privy to those whose repentance is accepted. We are just given a warning that idolatry of any kind is punishable by Hell-fire as well as the acquiescence of those deeds or the voluntary support for those deeds.

Therefore, it becomes just and rightful to condemn idolatry in any form. Once again, here is the definition of idolatry:

So what is idol worship? It is anything THAT TRIES TO PUT TO A LIE THAT THE ONE GOD IS UNIQUE IN HIS QUALITIES AND ABOVE THE COMPREHENSION OR CONTAINMENT OF MAN’S {ANY MAN’S} MIND INCLUDING THE PROPHETS WHO HAVE NOT SEEN THEIR LORD DIRECTLY.

So idol worship can be considered an action attributing to what belongs ONLY to THE ONE GOD to any animate or inanimate thing as well as the common making of images or trinkets that are supposed to bring one closer to THE ONE GOD.

Thauban reported that ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh) said, “When the sword is used among my people, it will not be withdrawn from them till the Day of Resurrection and the Last Hour will not come before tribes of my people attach themselves to the polytheists and tribes of my people worship idols. There will be among my people 30 great liars each of them asserting that he is GOD’s prophet, whereas I {Muhammad} am the SEAL of the prophets after whom there will be NO {more} prophets; but a section of my people will continue to hold to the truth till GOD’s Command comes and will prevail and will NOT be injured by those who oppose them.”           (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)

Historically, the idea of the 12th Imam is ridiculous simply because the Shi‘ite family of this dreamed up Imam declared him not to exist. That is, Al-Hassan Al-‘Askari died while leaving no male successor to inherit from his will!

That of course would sink the Shi‘ah boat so a tale something akin to the Arabian Nights had to be invented to keep the ‘faithful’ in line (following the infallible, universe controlling, divine Imams) and this fairytale is called the Tale of the Door and the Tunnel. This fabricated fiction can also be looked up in any authenticated source or encyclopedia.

However, the big tip off from this ludicrous tale comes with the knowledge of what happened just after Al-‘Askari’s death. A few people (well-placed and well-to-do families, of course) found that they could control vast amounts of wealth from the Zakat tax that they could collect from the people. Thus, they could also control the religious direction to be taken by the people or common but so-called believers.

Therefore, their own powerful position also granted them certain ‘powers’ in that they were the only ones able (for a fee of course) to hand down into a hole in the ground, messages from the common believers who could not see or visit with that holy spiritual ghost living in that dank, dank hole but they could get answers to their questions.

This is something like a confessional experience where one can’t see the priest but he is there to answer your queries. However, this is much worse. One would think people can’t be that stupid but as history has firmly noted that many strange and questionable things are followed by the common rank and file especially when they lack true knowledge!

Finally, in keeping the voodoo of the ‘hidden Imam’ alive, the control of religious decrees and therefore the common people would be assured. It was assured when it was obviously seen that common villagers could be manipulated very easily because they were ignorant as to what Real Religion actually was.

However, arguments were bound to happen especially amongst this den of thieves. Hence, a man from that corrupt group, named Muhammad Nusair, decided he and his gang would go off and eventually invent another branch of so-called Islam (the ‘Alawite sect of disbelievers found mostly in Syria and Turkey and a few places here and there) which ended up in taking ‘Ali as GOD’s son among other obnoxious practices.

This lunatic asylum needed the authority and power of the so-called Imams just like the Roman Catholic Church needed the idea of popedom (as the Vicar of Christ on Earth and infallible on religious matters) to control the masses especially in doctrinal decrees. This has led to many corruptions just as the so-called Papal Decrees and other inventive practices have led Christianity on a run to the zoo.

In our modern world, what does all of this mean? For one thing, one should not be taken aback with the flights of fantasy from groups like Hezbollah. Their undying support for their fellow crooks in Syria, the ‘Alawite sect of disbelievers, throws the hidden face of their philosophy into the open for those who have eyes to see.

Just because they fought with Israel and tried with some success to be buddy buddies with their fellow Arabs, they thought that they could slip the sleeping Muslims a ‘Mickey’ and declare themselves fellow Arab brothers in Islam which they are not!

Furthermore, the excellent way they band together to help the poor is praiseworthy until one is reminded about two things. FIRST OF ALL, ALL PRAISE IS DUE TO ALLAH ALONE.

Secondly, from Adolf Hitler to the Mafia and on to Putin and his gang, helping the poor out has been a useful device to get in good with the people to gain their support against the law that is trying to throw the lot of those corrupters in jail for illegal activities that are destroying society but fattening their cause.

One reason why the Mafia and Hezbollah help their adherents is very practical and socially correct. By helping the poor, the poor feel obligated to return the favor and help the benefactor. In conscience, one has to decide the moralistic value of what one is being called to do.

The proper way is to know the wrong path from the right path. So the big deal is ‘don’t leap before you look’ or inspect more closely behind the curtains that are possibly thrown up for deception.

In inspecting the Shia intelligencia (Ulema), it has stated that the position concerning the idea of the INFALLIBLE IMAMS (IMAMAH) is higher and more exalted than the office of Prophethood and this makes them more superior to all of the Prophets except Muhammad (pbh). But even there, they trip themselves up with many claiming that their HOLY IMAMS know the UNSEEN whereas Prophet Muhammad (pbh) did not.

The similitude of the Shia HOLY IMAMS is likened to the Roman Catholic practice which is called VENERATION OF THE SAINTS.  One of their most beloved leaders Ayatollah Khomeini, a man revered by a huge number of Shia wrote; And an essential tenet of our Shi’ite sect, i.e., the Twelvers or the Ithna Ashara sect is that the Imams have a position which is reached neither by angels nor by any commissioned messenger (Prophet) of God.                                                                                            (Hukumat-i-Islami, 52-53)

Again, much of the background for such nonsensical thoughts comes from a book called Al-Kafi which is considered one of the greatest of the several so-called great books which the Shia have depended on in forming their invented doctrines. Other criminal offenses and ludicrous tales of fantasy against the rational mind can also be found in this book.

However, a warning was given concerning the falsehoods that would crop up concerning the fourth Caliph as Ibn Hanbal declared:

 ‘Abdullah bin Ahmad has related to us from Abu al-Harth Surayj bin Yunus from Abu Hafs Abbar from Hakam bin ‘Abd al-Malik from Harth bin Hasirah from Abi Sadiq from Rabi‘ah bin Najidh from  ‘Ali  who said: “The Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) told me: ‘You are like Jesus. The Jews hated him so much that they slandered his mother, and the Christians, because of their extreme devotion to him, placed him in a position which was NOT his. ‘Ali went on to declare, “Two types of persons or groups are doomed concerning me; the devoted extremist exalting me to what I am not, and the spiteful hater bearing malice towards me and slandering me.

In viewing the controversy concerning the Sunni-Shia divide, one has to look at various entry points. For example, The Roman Catholic Church considers the office of Popedom to carry the ‘religious Infallibility’ issue whereas the Shia in general declare the office of Imams Infallible but that would be due to the genetic breeding carried forth from one generation to the next within a certain family.

Still, the end result is the same and the logic used to solidify these claims are the same:

“Our Pope/Imam declared such and such (as recorded in history) and it is infallibly correct. It is infallibly correct because our Infallible Pope/Imam declared it and that must be true due to their Infallibility.”

A problem with the ‘doctrine of infallibility’ is that it is NOT SUPPORTED by any Testament (religious Holy Book). Any support for these religious doctrines are based on other than the WORD of GOD. Thus, people can form their own opinions or illogical beliefs by literally ignoring valuable data or ‘literally’ rewriting history by manufacturing or making things up.

One way to avoid such nonsense concerning Islam is to take what Prophet Muhammad (pbh) said about his various Companions and cross-reference these things. This would provide balance of thought and keep the bar of honesty open and clear.

For example, what did he declare about Abu Bakr or ‘Umar or ‘Uthman? Well, quite frankly he (pbh) said some excellent and praiseworthy things about those individuals. Certainly, the Prophet (pbh) was NOT blind, ignorant or mentally or spiritually deficient!

If people ignore the names of the “10” promised ones concerning their place in Paradise or the various attributive sayings by the Prophet (pbh) in the section called ‘MERITS OF’ SO AND SO, then they are indirectly alluding to their incomplete and mistaken belief in the incompetence of Prophet Muhammad – THE SPECIALLY CHOSEN MESSENGER AND INHERITER OF THE HIGHEST HONOR AMONGST THE CREATION INSHA ALLAH!

So in order to be harmoniously balanced in spirit and mind, it would be well for the individual to take a long look at the ‘TRUE KNOWLEDGE’ featured in hadith literature under the title of ‘THE MERITS OF SO AND SO AND SUCH AND SUCH’. ALSO, ONE MUST REMEMBER THAT THE LOVE FOR THE PROPHET (pbh) EXCEEDS THE LOVE FOR ANY OF HIS FOLLOWERS NOT BY A LITTLE BUT BY A LOT. AND THIS IS DECLARED IN THE FIRST PILLAR OF ISLAM AND IN THE QURAN. AND THIS WILL BE NOTED BY ALLAH ON THE LAST DAY!

However, one way in which to sabotage these things is to take, for example, the excellent sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbh) about ‘Ali and to simply ignore what he (pbh) said about others. Therefore, one is free to ‘jury-rig’ the outcome by having misinterpretation become the acceptable norm.

This then can be used to collectively seek out various references about ‘Ali and twist and turn them as one pleases. ‘Ali then becomes magically magnified along with his posterity simply due to the fact that so and so are related to ‘Ali.

Another problem encountered by the ‘magic’ of the ‘Ali line is to make a proclamation which if applied to certain people would be pure racist.

For example, the Jews are the chosen people of GOD. True it was at that time and it was based on conditional responses to the authorities (prophets) put before them of whom many they killed or tormented. No spiritually normal individual nowadays would declare the Jews as the chosen peoples in this day and age unless of course they are fond of believing in fairytales.

The same is true with the decedents of ‘Ali. No doubt that a few generations kept up that vim and vigor of being very highly blessed and loved by ALLAH but as all should know NOT even in the best of families will the genetic and spiritual excellence continue as a ‘pure race’ thing on and on until the end of time.

This is so because according to ALLAH’s WORD each soul is responsible for itself and its actions and each soul forms a unique entity of and by itself.

The problem with the Shia is the continued dependence on materials that were literally ‘cooked up’ to make differences between peoples i.e., to distinguish one’s beliefs above another.  It is true and also unfortunate that after Muawiyah, things get very despondent with governments and leadership until the Great Grandson of ‘Umar Ibn Khattab becomes Caliph.

He (‘Umar Ibn Abdul-Aziz) showed great excellence and knowledge and was not afraid to institute TRUTH and JUSTICE. However, the world being what it is, his reign lasted only a little bit more than two years and of course one can guess that he was assassinated.  Such is the way of the crookedness of the world.

The point being that if there were truly a magical moment for the institution of Infallible Imams, we would have known it from the lips of the Prophet (pbh) on down.

We didn’t hear it and it is yet another proof of those who manufacture fairytales in order to believe that they are special people. So in effect those who do those kind of things are like unto those Jews who insist on believing that they are still the chosen of GOD instead of being cursed by the very tongues of David and Jesus (peace be upon them both).

Curses were pronounced on those {types} among the Children of Israel who rejected Faith, by the tongue of David and of Jesus the son of Mary: because they disobeyed and persisted in excesses.    Q (5: 78)

 

(They {the Jews} have incurred Divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of ALLAH; that they killed the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, “our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve ALLAH’s Word; we need no more {prophets or books}“; Nay, ALLAH has set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;    Q (4: 155)

It is true that the Shi’a can point to Sunni sources such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim as well as some of their own sources in trying to explain their misconstrued praying practice of combining prayers. However, such things are based on slanted interpretations without due thought processes. This is especially true when some source might come from one of the Shi’a’s famous books called al-Kafi which also implies in one so-called hadith that the Quran is to be considered only one-third valid.

To be honest, this topic leads us into the Islamic topic of various sects in Islam. There have been many would be sects in Islam that try to pass themselves off as purely Islamic but who fail miserably in their attempt in front of a ‘knowledgeable person’.

First of all, why have various sects appeared in Islam or in any religion? Because after the purity of the Millstone goes around, there are devious people who create divisions and deviations based on empty-minded philosophical wanderings. And because people are people, the idea of “you will certainly follow the practices of your predecessors” becomes the norm.

Take for example the shameful approach of the Shi’a intelligencia in attempting to vilify one of the great companions of the Prophet (pbh) known as Abu Huraira (may ALLAH be pleased with him). Why do they do this?

They do this to throw doubt on Sunni practices and other acts of worship in order to legitimize some of their own ideas and practices. They even join with some orientalists who have denounced Abu Huraira and have no real understanding of what is going on because of the many accurate hadiths narrated by this excellent Companion.

However, a broad and very careful look at the respect generated towards this wonderful companion of the Prophet (pbh) during his long lifetime by the many Companions including ‘Ali himself as well as the second generation of believers leaves no doubt that Abu Huraira is well-loved by the believers and is maligned by either the ignorant or the hypocrites.

Not only did ‘Umar give very important jobs of trust to Abu Huraira, the grandsons of ‘Umar narrated many hadiths from him also. Not only that, he was trusted and highly honored enough to be asked to lead the funeral prayers for ‘Aisha and Hafsah two of the wives of the holy Prophet (pbh).

To be asked to lead the funeral prayers for the wives of the Prophet is indeed a great and noble honor and was quite justified. He also acted as a guardian for ‘Uthman along with ‘Ali’s precious sons Hassan and Husain. Moreover, after ‘Uthman’s death for over two decades, Abu Huraira made numerous Fatwahs (religious rulings) in Medina (the City of Light).

These things show by logic that Abu Huraira was indeed a most valuable and trustworthy companion. His awesome number of hadiths that he related from the Prophet (pbh) can be explained by the fact that for several years he attached himself solely to the Prophet as much as humanly and discretely possible.

One of the tricks employed by this type of religious nonsense in making false proclamations is that “WE HAVE SCHOLARS”!!!

Yes, you have incompetent ones who are passed off as scholars and who use the famous line of circular reasoning which goes forth to prove the contention that is being made. How can reasonable people fall for any of this stuff and nonsense?

It boggles the imagination that so much lunacy and chicanery is taken as pure, unadulterated fact. However, the following verse from the Quran shows why it is done:

Say: “Everyone acts according to his own disposition but your LORD knows best who it is that is best guided on the WAY.”      Q (17: 84)

An example of this twisted circular reasoning used to confound the careless followers of any crooked and illogical belief system follows:

This idea is true because our scholars have stated it. And our scholars have stated it because it is true. Therefore, it is true! See how valid that becomes or how about this:

All of the moons in the universe are made of green cheese. The Earth, which is in the universe, has a Moon. Its Moon therefore is made of green cheese.

So, to the dull-witted person or to the person who is highly attracted to that type of sick philosophy, like moths are attracted to the flames of a candle, the idea that they are being fed a lot of outright lies and a bunch of hooey is incomprehensible. Therefore, they tend to swallow such twisted nonsense whole hog or none!

Another flaw that is seemingly spreading its wings amongst certain people is that of a type of arrogance. Seeing actual problems in their minds concerning religion and actually not wanting to face realities by being patient enough to persevere, some people want to ‘ditch’ the whole concept of religion as just being manmade nonsense.

Maybe they were once ‘believers’ but the call of the world makes a lot more sense than the call to what their confused minds call real religion. It is like their saying, “If I can’t deal with it, then I’m going to ditch it.”

To these people, it seems it is better for them to forego the struggle with trying to understand and to just get down and dirty with what is going on in this world. After all, it is seemingly a lot more fun to enjoy the world (according to the devil) without being hampered or held back by so-called religious duties which they see as nonsense.

These people want to sample what delights the world has to offer them rather than dwell on REALITY. Hence, we find the anti-religious group suggesting that GOD HIMSELF, if HE exists, is not really ‘hip’ to what is really happening. Or we get the educated atheist and orientalist who tend to blame others for the world’s ills and not the daffy condition of world selfishness and boneheaded thinking.

The problem with mankind is in being ‘contentious’ as to his nature and duty owed to the ONE GOD. Therefore, he craftily wants to do things his own way or to follow his own pent up desires.

Doesn’t he at times believe in himself to be invincible? Seemingly invincible until there comes a time near death or desperation when he would call out to the ‘abandoned’ GOD to save him. But when he embarks on a more comfortable footing, he then forgets his sworn allegiance and promises he made to GOD and goes back to a life of flippancy and devil-may-care living.

HE it is WHO enables you to traverse through land and sea; so that you even board ships; they sail with them with a favorable wind, and they rejoice thereat; then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think they are being overwhelmed: they cry unto ALLAH, sincerely offering (their) duty unto HIM saying, “If YOU deliver us from this, we shall truly show our gratitude!”

But when HE delivers them, Behold! They transgress insolently through the earth in defiance of right. O mankind! Your insolence is against your own souls, an enjoyment of the life of the present: {but} in the End you will be returned to US and WE shall show you the truth of ALL that you did.         Q (10: 22-23)

In continuing a topic concerning the Shi’a Imamate, it should be said that the Shi’a start off their magical Imamate with ‘Ali ibn Abu Talib. He is their first so-called infallible Imam. The question is, ‘What then are their thoughts of the first three Caliphs – Abu Bakr, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab and ‘Uthman ibn Affan?

Well, I hate to even think of what they think of these excellent friends of the Prophet (pbh). These people are definitely NOT included in the Shi’a’s package of the ‘holy twelve’ so it is logical to believe that these upright and faithful men are NOT well thought of.

Truth be told, if a former religion talks about any of the first three Caliphs (in a good way or bad way) then that should be a credible standard of judgment because a Holy Book  will most definitely outrank ridiculous forgeries, stupid ideas and evil practices.

In the Old Testament in the Book of Isaiah (pbh) chapter 19 we do find some startling praise for ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Although his name is not mentioned directly, a well-balanced, impartial mind when presented with the facts could figure out that ‘Umar is being referred to as “a great one and a saviorby no less than the ONE GOD HIMSELF as a prophecy sent down and brought by the Archangel Gabriel to prophet Isaiah (pbh).

In figuring out the Truth by logic here is what we must work with before we read the verses from Isaiah (pbh) that will be given below:

  1. Egypt in its pagan state goes so far as to sacrifice young virgins to one of their gods to increase the fertility of the Nile River.
  2. Christianity comes to Egypt and they learn about the GOD of the people of Israel and about the Messiah Jesus the son of Mary (pbh) so at least they are now numbered as ‘People of the Book’. They for the most part are Christians but differences between various factions do pose some problems.
  3. Rome comes along as to governing these Egyptian Christian Arabs but in a cruel, oppressive manner. A letter is written by the head Christian Patriarch (Maqauqus – ruler of Egypt) to his people (fellow Christians) informing them to ‘help’ the soon to arrive Islamic invaders against the oppressive Roman presence. In other words, go along with the Muslims, don’t interfere with them and even help them against the Roman oppressive occupation. The people of Egypt see the huge difference between Real Islamic Rule and the harsh rule by the Romans. Most people now desire to change their religion from Christianity to Islam after a period of time of course.
  4. A great area of land has now come under Islamic dominion and the highway robbers working between certain lands have become just about a thing of the past. Pilgrimage (Hajj and ‘Umrah) can now be accomplished without much fear.
  5. The ‘great one and savior’ cannot be considered the Prophet (pbh) because he died before 100% of the Arabian Peninsula came under his control. So Islam was NOT ready to burst out and spread rapidly into ‘foreign lands’ to unify the various peoples.
  6. Abu Bakr becomes the first Caliph after the leadership of the Prophet ended but his reign lasted only two years and his great task was NOT to expand Islamic territories but to consolidate what areas were Islamic within most of the Arabian Peninsula. It is well known that he had to use somewhat of an iron hand at times due to some desert tribes desiring to go renegade and either wanting to dilute the Islamic teachings of the Prophet (pbh) or to even go so far as to renounce their religion. Then, after about 2 years of his reign, he died.
  7. After all things had settled down and a new Caliph (‘Umar) was elected to head the Islamic peoples, for the most part the Arabian Muslims became a strong, undefeatable force. It was now time to ‘MARCH FORWARD WITH LIGHT UNTO THE DARKNESS AND SPREAD ISLAM. This is the start of the ‘great expansion’ era of the second Caliph – ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab. Under his leadership, the Islamic Empire spread into many areas including Assyria (the Levant) along with Egypt and Palestine the land of Israel. ‘Umar’s dramatic entrance into Jerusalem when Jerusalem surrendered to the Muslims in total peace is well-known fact and well documented!
  8. It is here that the Islamic peoples had ONE religion, ONE sect, ONE belief system as opposed to Christianity which showed at that time many different practices depending on the area found. It is here that the Muslims from Egypt, Syria, and Palestine (Israel) were ONE.
  9. Now, to the Victor goes the Spoils as they say and thanks to ALLAH the dynamic and great servant of ALLAH who is believed to be just a tad under the greatness of character shown by Abu Bakr, should be credited (for he is the ‘Commander of the Faithful’) with what the Old Testament in the Book of Isaiah Chapter 19 called ‘A GREAT ONE AND A SAVIOR’.

So those people abusing ‘Umar, who was a GREAT FRIEND of the Prophet (pbh), actually abuse the Prophet (pbh) also. And in abusing the Prophet (pbh) they attack ALLAH’s Qadar (Divine Plan, Divine Destiny) and in attacking ALLAH’s Qadar, they will be amongst the pained on the Last Day.

 And it shall be for a SIGN and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors {Roman Occupation}, and HE shall send them a savior, and a great one, and he SHALL DELIVER THEM.

 And the {truth about the} LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: HE shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and HE shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them.

 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:

 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed be Egypt MY people, and Assyria the work of MY hands, and Israel MY inheritance.  Isaiah (19: 20-25)

Some {of the people} HE has guided: others {of their own free will} have deserved the loss of their way; in that they took the Satans {for obedience} in preference to ALLAH, for their friends and protectors and think that they receive guidance.                           Q (7: 30)

Who is more unjust than one who forges a lie against ALLAH or rejects HIS SIGNS? For such their portion appointed must reach them from the (BOOK of DECREES): Until, when OUR Messengers (of death) arrive and take their souls, they {these Angels} say: “Where are the things that you used to invoke besides ALLAH?” They will reply, “They have left us in the lurch,” and they will bear witness against themselves that they had rejected ALLAH.       Q (7: 37)

In retrospect, to understand Shi’a-type of their brand of Islam one must understand the concept of The Imams:

As was stated before, the distinctive dogma and institution of Shi’a Islam is the Imamate, which includes the idea that the successor of Muhammad be more than merely a political leader. The Imam must also be a spiritual leader, which means that he must have the ability to interpret the inner mysteries of the Quran and the Sharia. The Twelver Shi’as further believe that the Twelve Imams who succeeded the Prophet were sinless and free from error and had been chosen by GOD through Muhammad.

Personal Comment: Here we have a picture of Muhammad (pbh) as a leader who seems to be ignorant about his friends that surround him but is a veritable genius when it comes time to choose who are going to share in a quasi-partnerhood with the ONE GOD!

The Imamate began with ‘Ali, who is also accepted by Sunni Muslims as the fourth of the “rightly guided caliphs” to succeed the Prophet. Shi’as revere ‘Ali as the First Imam, and his descendants, beginning with his sons Hassan and Husain, continue the line of the Imams until the Twelfth individual, who is believed to have ascended into a supernatural state to return to Earth on judgment day.

Personal Comment: Here we have an Islamic Christ-like thing going on. If Jesus (pbh) could do it, then our 12th Imam can pull it off also type of thinking!

The Twelfth Imam is believed to have been only five years old when the Imamate descended upon him in 874 CE at the death of his father. The Twelfth Imam is usually known by his titles of Imam-e Asr (the Imam of the Age) and Sahib az Zaman (the Lord of Time).

Because his followers feared he might be assassinated, the Twelfth Imam was hidden from public view and was seen only by a few of his closest deputies. This reeks of something akin to a fairytale! Sunnis, however, claim that he never existed or that he died while still a child.

Shi’as believe that the Twelfth Imam remained on earth, but hidden from the public, for about 70 years, a period they refer to as the “lesser occultation” (gheybat-e sughra). Shi’as also believe that the Twelfth Imam has never died, but disappeared from earth in about 939 CE.

Since that time the “greater occultation” (gheybat-e kubra) of the Twelfth Imam has been in force and will last until GOD commands the Twelfth Imam to manifest himself on earth again as the Mahdi, or Messiah. Shi’as believe that during the greater occultation of the Twelfth Imam he is spiritually present–some even believe that he is materially present as well– and he is besought to reappear in various invocations and prayers they perform. His name is mentioned in wedding invitations, and his birthday is one of the most jubilant of all Shi’a religious observances.

Personal Comment: All this sounds like another version of Santa Claus! Besides this, we in Islam have ONLY ONE MESSIAH and he is JESUS THE SON OF MARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Other Distinctive Shi’a Doctrines

The Shi’a doctrine of the Imamate was NOT fully elaborated until the tenth century.  How does it take nearly 500 years AFTER Prophet Muhammad (pbh) to do this? This is comparable to the notion of when actually according to Church doctrine did Christ become ‘divine’?

Personal Comment: This sounds very much like a new ‘Nicaean Creed’ (4th century of the Christian era) Shi’a style!

Other dogmas were developed STILL LATER if one can believe it. One characteristic of Shi’a Islam is the continual exposition and reinterpretation of doctrine. If things are so clear cut for them, why do they persist in rolling around in circles over matters that should normally be clear?

Personal Comment: This sounds like the practice of the Roman Catholic Church in their continual exposition and reinterpretation of doctrine.

The most recent example of this inventive style is Khomeini’s expounding of the doctrine of velayat-e faqih, or the political guardianship of the community of believers by scholars trained in religious law. That is one way for certain to allow religious crooks to stay in power! The concept of velayat-e faqih thus provides the doctrinal basis for a theocratic government; an experiment that Twelver Imam Shi’as had NOT ATTEMPTED PRIOR to the Iranian Revolution in 1979.

Personal Comment: Adding ‘new and bizarre things to the religion has always been a Shi’a strongpoint!

Distinctive Shi’a Rituals and Practices

In addition to their seven principal tenets of faith, there are also traditional religious practices that are intimately associated with Shi’a Islam. These include the observance of the month of martyrdom, Muharram, and pilgrimages to the shrines of the Twelve Imams and their various descendants.

The Muharram observances, which culminate on the otherwise minor holiday of Ashura, commemorate the death of their Third Imam, Hussain, the son of ‘Ali and Fatima and the grandson of Muhammad. He was killed near Karbala in modern Iraq in 680 CE during a battle with troops supporting the Umayyad caliph. Hussain’s death is commemorated by Shi’as with passion plays and is an intensely religious time when the practice of self-mutilation is often practiced by the ‘radical devotee’.

Personal Comment: Some Shi’a use the pagan practice of self-mutilation by beating themselves with various implements causing blood to flow. This practice is strictly forbidden in Islam but is looked upon as some type of devotional act in Shi’a practices.

Pilgrimage to the shrines of Imams is a specific Shi’a custom. The most important shrines in Iran are those for the Eighth Imam in Mashhad and for his sister Fatima in Qom. There are also important secondary shrines for other relatives of the Eighth Imam in Rey, adjacent to south Tehran, and in Shiraz.

In virtually all towns and in many villages there are numerous lesser shrines, known as imamzadehs, which commemorate descendants of the imams who are reputed to have led saintly lives. Shi’a pilgrims visit these sites because they believe that the imams and their relatives have power to intercede with God on behalf of petitioners. The shrines in Iraq at Karbala and An Najaf are also revered by Shi’a’s.

Personal Comment: Shrine worship like ‘lucky charm’ beliefs are forbidden in Islam. However, this practice is not just restricted to Shi’a Islam but can be found in some ignorant Sunni villages. The common denominator here is that it is illegal in Islam and that ignorant people follow these things with the ‘blessings’ of corrupt local officials or corrupt religious leaders.

Shi’a Clergy and Organization

From the time that Twelver Shi’a Islam emerged as a distinct religious denomination IN THE EARLY NINTH CENTURY, its clergy, or Ulema, have played a prominent role in the development of its scholarly and legal tradition; however, the development of a distinct hierarchy among the Shi’a clergy dates back ONLY TO THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY.

Since that time the highest religious authority has been vested in the mujtahids, scholars who by virtue of their erudition in the science of religion (the Quran, the traditions of Muhammad and the Imams, jurisprudence, and theology) and their attested ability to decide points of religious conduct, act as leaders of their community in matters concerning the particulars of religious duties.

Shi’a and Sufism

Shah Ismail, the founder of the Safavid dynasty, who established Twelver Shi’a Islam as the OFFICIAL religion of Iran at only the beginning of the 16TH CENTURY, was revered by his followers as a Sufi master.

Although Sufis were associated with the early spread of Shi’a ideas in the country, once the Shi’a clergy had consolidated their authority over religion by the early seventeenth century, they {then} tended to regard Sufis as deviant. This, only after Sufi deviation propelled them to institute strange and devious ways!

What does all this mean? It means we can now trace with clarity the flaws of any mistaken beliefs as the trail, no matter how light, has been laid down for those who desire to use common sense and religious responsibility.

And had your LORD willed, those on earth would have believed – all of them entirely. Then, (O Muhammad), would you compel the people in order that they become believers?

And it is not for a soul to believe except by permission of ALLAH, and HE will place defilement upon those who will not use reason.    Q (10:99-100)

If ALLAH so willed, HE could make you all one people: But HE leaves straying whom HE pleases, and HE guides whom HE pleases: but you shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.    Quran (16:93)

However, even though HE did not want that anyone commit spiritual suicide, the more complete knowledge of HIM found in Islam declares that HE created man in such a high station that man himself is the ‘driver’ (his desires) towards success or damnation. So, man is not a lowly creature of originally monkey origins but a creature that was made by HIS hand and a creature when passing certain phases and ONLY WITH ALLAH’S PERMISSION can literally raise the dead and do other miracles.

Therefore, HE presents the two ways for the journey of life: A chance to worship HIM as HE wants or a chance to worship HIM as the inner self, society, man-made beliefs have fashioned or created from their imaginations. This means man is certainly free to not worship or believe in the ONE GOD.

He is also free to create sick fantasies and all sorts of other crass imaginations and falsehoods. However, the penalty for this treachery against man’s own soul must be paid for!

As to the real followers of Islam the following hadith shows their colors quite clearly:

‘Imran bin Husain declared that the Prophet (pbh) said: “Verily the best among you (to follow) is my generation (the Messenger Muhammad (pbh) and his Companions, then those who follow {them}, and then those who follow them…”           (Muslim)

This means that the best people, of course, that understand Islam and what it is about will come from the first generation in Islam – the Messenger Muhammad (pbh) and his Companions and these people are the people of the highest standing in Islam.

And whosoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger AFTER the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the ‘Believers’ way, WE shall keep him in the path he {the foolish one among mankind} has chosen and land him in Hell – what an evil destination!   Q (4: 115)

The Shi’a have had many centuries to build their bridges concerning the Imamate (their 12 perfect and infallible leaders according to them) but the material for these bridges basically do not come from sound Islamic thinking. These thoughts started with the people known as the ‘rejecters’ from a place called Kufah in modern day Iraq. And in following that route, things have been ‘bent’ to uphold those beliefs as has already been explained.

Let us take a look what the ‘REAL’ Messiah (pbh) said concerning building the soundness or lack of soundness of real faith and the result of it:

Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house {SOUL} upon a rock {Real Faith/Correct Belief}:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell NOT for it was founded upon a rock {Correct Belief}.

And every one that hears these sayings of mine and doesn’t do them, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and IT FELL and great was the fall of it.               Matthew (7: 24-27)

Truth is truth no matter the religious source!! After all it is the Messiah, Jesus the Christ (pbh) that is the one to return to inforce the truth upon a wounded world. Therefore, building one’s faith (ROCK) must be placed on a firm foundation (Correct Faith/Belief/Rituals – Sunnah of the Prophet (pbh) and or the SINCERE intention of doing so), so that the rains (or the vagaries of life) will NOT wash away and destroy that house of faith.

Hence, in building one’s faith upon correct belief, one lets those correct beliefs and actions stand as ‘shields’ for the Day of Judgment acting as a protection against the WRATH of ALLAH against those who repeatedly ‘turned away’.

Finally, yet another bug-a-boo placed on the table by many Shi’a are the supposed true and logical hadiths that declare that ‘some’ or sometimes declared (by them) ‘most’ members of the Islamic Community called The Prophet’s Companions turned renegades after The Prophet (pbh) died. This idea is extremely dangerous because one can now manipulate the religion as one pleases and then can provide an excuse for that.

‘Ali the fourth holy Caliph would never sully the name of Islam by working with people who day-in and day-out committed questionable acts or who were hypocrites especially since the Prophet (pbh) declared his contempt for them. What the Prophet (pbh) declared was a prophecy.

Who were these people (wolves in sheep’s clothing) about whom the hadiths speak? Most probably, but ALLAH ALONE KNOWS FOR SURE, they were pre-Kharijites who later adopted the Kharijite beliefs and those were the people who rebelled against the 3rd and 4th Caliphs – ‘Uthman and ‘Ali.

Jabir b. Abdullah reported that a person came to the Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) at Ja’rana on his way back from Hunain, and there was in the clothes of Bilal some silver. The Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) took a handful out of that and bestowed it upon the people. He (the person who had met the Prophet at Ja’rana) said to him: Muhammad, do justice. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Woe be upon you, who would do justice if I do not do justice, and you would be very unfortunate and a loser if I do not do justice. Upon this Umar b. Khattab said: “Permit me to kill this hypocrite.” Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: “May there be protection of ALLAH! People would say that I kill my companions. This man and his companions would recite the Qur’an but it would not go beyond their throat, and they swerve from it just as the arrow goes through the prey.”      (Muslim)

And whosoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the ‘Believers’ way, WE shall keep him in the path he has chosen and land him in Hell – what an evil destination!   Q (4: 115)

However, when all things are said and done, it must be kept in mind that many of the Shi’a are considered ‘people of the Qibla’, that is, for those who pray in the direction of Makkah to the ONE AND ONLY GOD! So in that respect it behooves Muslims to engage with the others in a way that is logical and fundamental to the truth and then let ALLAH decide between the various groups either in the present or on the LAST DAY.

Why can’t people just leave things alone and let everybody go his/her own way? It works some of the time but history is filled with devious people who try to derail those who stand forth for truth and justice.

Not all wolves that are let in the ‘backdoor’ will be peaceful. Some will enter into peace only to ‘swallow up’ the careless when they are asleep. Besides this, thinking that TRUTH is something that can be whitewashed, is very dangerous especially when the best treasures of them all are the signs of Guidance given to man by their LORD.

Who in their right minds wants to trash that! So the battle continues and Satan doesn’t seem to get tired of it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported ALLAH’s Messenger (pbh) as saying, “When you see people who revile my companions say, “Allah’s curse be on your worst ones.”    (Tirmidhi)

There are many would be sects in Islam that try to pass themselves off as purely Islamic but who fail miserably in that attempt in front of a ‘knowledgeable person’.

Why have various sects appeared in Islam or, in reality, in any religion including Christianity and Judaism?

Because after the purity of the Millstone goes around, there are devious people who create divisions and deviations based on empty-minded philosophical wanderings. And because people are people, “you {O Muslims} will certainly follow the practices of your predecessors” until it becomes the norm.

It has been such so let the Believer be warned!