Sister "faithandpeace" left Shiasm

[Hani]

al-Salamu `Aleykum,


A sister on "ummah forums" called "faithandpeace" has left Tashayyu` after she embraced it to "explore it" for a while, this is what she wrote:

Assalamu alaikum.


Many of you know that after last Ramadan I started to dive into Shia beliefs and practices. I did so after questioning some of the history of the Sahabah as taught by various Sunni scholars. While I don't regret looking into it as I think Muslims should be educated on different interpretations (whether we consider them valid or not), I quickly saw some pitfalls in it.


1. I noticed too much of what I would call a "cult of personality." Everything seems to revolve around the personalities of the Ahlul Bayt rather than the message of Islam that they stood for. Further, I consistently noticed an emphasis on the Imams first, followed by the Prophet (saw), followed by Allah (swt) when it should be in the reverse order. All Muslims should love the Ahlul Bayt but focusing more on them or even more on the Prophet (saw) than on Allah (swt) does not seem wise to me.


2. Too many practices that don't seem to have a strong shariah basis. Namely the many mourning rituals related to martyrdom of the Ahlul Bayt. While it is normal that we humans mourn the loss of any loved one, if we understand the situation Islamically then we know that in the case of martyrs they are not dead but that they are receiving their provisions from Allah (swt). We should therefore be happy for them. Looking at the situation of martyrs now whether it be the atrocities happening in Gaza or the recent Chapel Hill Shooting sure there are many emotions we all go through. Of course we cry tears for them. Many of us want to beat our chests or pound fists against something but once we get a hold of ourselves we realize that this is all a test from Allah (swt) and that if He accepts their martyrdom then they have not lost but won. Why the Shia want to make annual rituals over crying for martyrs and beating chests is beyond me. I approached it with open-mindedness to see if there was some logic behind it. I just don't get it. This was all a part of Allah's plan for them and we should be happy that they are among the best in Jannah.


3. As an extension to point #2 I noticed a severe lack of focus on contemporary issues. They spoke out a lot against ISIS but nothing whatsoever against American imperialism. I find it strange to have yearly calendars around crying for martyrs of the Ahlul Bayt while not putting anything into practice over what is going on today. You'd think they would mourn over today's martyrs. Of course the same is true with most of the Sunni leaders I've seen as well. They simply don't touch contemporary issues. But with the extensive focus on martyrdom of Ahlul Bayt you would think they would apply those lessons to today. Why tell the sacrifice of Imam Hussein and not talk about the sacrifices we can make for Islam today? It doesn't make sense.


On the other hand, I do think the condemnations that some Sunnis make towards the Shia are greatly exaggerated. Walking into Shia masjids I don't see a huge difference in basic Islamic practices and beliefs. The prayers are quite similar with some minor differences, there are different hadeeth collections cited, different classical scholars quoted, etc. but the core of the religion is as far as I can tell the same. I won't do takfeer on them as some do. I think that is very dangerous to do. I also did not see evidence of the shirk that so many people claim Shia engage in. Bidah perhaps but not shirk. I would like to see mainstream Sunni scholars include more content on the Ahlul Bayt as I think this is an area too neglected in Sunni teachings especially considering the fact that the Ahlul Bayt are considered Sahabah and Salaf as well (for the ones who lived during those generations).


The conclusion I've drawn is that the Shia approach seems too risky and that it is safer to stick to the mainstream understanding and approach. Therefore, I have reversed this and gone back to ahlus sunnah wal jammah. I am open minded and willing to read stuff about Shia teachings but this is secondary while learning ahlus sunnah wal jammah is primary. Any constructive thoughts are welcome here. Please keep proper adab. I don't like seeing these threads turn into hostile Sunni vs. Shia debates.

link:http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?436534-Explorations-with-Shia-Practice

[Ameen]

I don't find this interesting because I've heard it all before and on many occasions.

Who ever this person claims to be, if true then they lack in knowledge and information both About Shiasm as well as Sunnism.

All that has been mentioned has got nothing to do with Shiaism itself or very little to do with it.

Thought, opinion and point of view and how certain members do things or behave from any sect, group, party etc has got nothing to do or very little with who and what they belong to.

All I have heard is absolute negativity about Shiaism and nothing right about Shias when where there is negative you also have something positive and where there is something wrong there is also something right and where you have bad you also have good or vice versa.

This is a fact and what is and comes natural. But here we have nothing that is based on facts and nothing that comes natural.

I rest my case for now.

[Husayn]