Learning How to Read Qur'an from Shia

[muslim720]

Salaam alaykum wa rahmatullah,
As though Allah (swt) willed for me to not fall too much into hatred, He guided me towards this one Shia mosque (least extreme of all the Shia mosques in our region) and I have greatly benefited from this mosque (and by associating with some of the wonderful, pious brothers there).

Now, I am not proficient in reading Qur'anic Arabic but since Dari (our version of Farsi in Afghanistan though I can argue that the language, in its purest form, was Dari but that is neither here nor there) utilizes Arabic script, I can read printed Dari (though I take my time) but I am pretty bad with reading the Qur'an.

As with the approach of every Ramadan, I promise myself that this is the year that I will learn to read the Qur'an, insha'Allah, but always fail to keep my promise.  Well this year, I actually might do good to my word.  I was at that particular Shia mosque (this past Friday) for jummah prayers and they announced that they are starting a "Qur'an for Adults" class - in preparation for Ramadan - to enable brothers and sisters to read the Qur'an.  Starts us off from scratch and since I already know the Arabic alphabets, I will have a head-start.

I signed up for the class but Shaytaan is playing games with my head.  I know learning how to read Arabic is very different than learning tajweed but to ask you brothers, is it okay for me to learn how to read Qur'an from a Shia mosque?  Furthermore, to supplement what we learn in class - after all, it only meets once a week - they will provide us CDs that would help us learn (on our own) outside class.  So I am hoping these instructional CDs are put together by Sunni Muslim teachers and reciters.  I know this mosque is fairly non-denominational when it comes to circulating Islamic material.  They have, and hand out, Islamic lecture CDs by Nouman Ali Khan, Mufti Menk, etc, so they are very open-minded when it comes to accepting and distributing material that aids with learning about Islam.

[أبو ماريا المرزم]

No. The way of the salaf is that you don't take knowledge from the mubtadia, hadith has strict conditions. The rafidah are an imminent threat to Islam. Muslims shouldn't be hanging out with them, offering salah with them, or talking about the deen; even the so-called "less exteme" ones, becuase they will sooner or later call you to their falsehood, or at least cast doubt in your heart. And none can remove this doubt but Allah. Muhammad Ibn Sireen wouldn't even listen to the recitation of the mubtadia, forget taking knowledge from them. Ths concept of "taking the good and leaving the evil" is a flawed concept. Nouman ali has his own issues.

[أبو ماريا المرزم]

May the curse of Allah be onto the Rafidah

[muslim720]

No. The way of the salaf is that you don't take knowledge from the mubtadia, hadith has strict conditions. The rafidah are an imminent threat to Islam. Muslims shouldn't be hanging out with them, offering salah with them, or talking about the deen; even the so-called "less exteme" ones, becuase they will sooner or later call you to their falsehood, or at least cast doubt in your heart. And none can remove this doubt but Allah. Muhammad Ibn Sireen wouldn't even listen to the recitation of the mubtadia, forget taking knowledge from them. Ths concept of "taking the good and leaving the evil" is a flawed concept. Nouman ali has his own issues.

My dear brother in Islam, I truly appreciate your input.  However, you lost me along the way.  I am glad you said "Nouman ali has his own issues" in the end for if you'd have said that in your opening sentence, I'd have not read your post any further.

As for the brothers there casting doubt in my heart, I think the imam - in conjunction with a few other brothers there - tried to discuss with me a few times while maintaining an admirable level of respect toward the Sahaba (ra).  Soon they realized that not only am I one not to break easily but also that I have a counter for almost everything they brought up to me.  We have learned to agree to disagree and love each other for the sake of Allah (swt) and for the goodness qualities in each other. 

The mosque, however, is very evenly divided between Shias and Sunnis when it comes to Friday prayers.  In fact, to their credit, a Salafi organization - in order to build a mosque - in our area needed donations.  Not knowing that it is a Shia mosque, they contacted this mosque and the imam (at the Shia mosque) welcomed them.  They invited the Salafi imam on a Friday, had him deliver the khutbah, had the entire congregation pray behind him (behind the Salafi imam) and whatever donations were gathered that day, they gave it to the Salafi brother to help build their mosque.

[Farid]

Wa alaykum alsalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Interesting thread.

As someone who believes in barakah, I do not believe that there is barakah from taking the recitation of the Qur'an from a sect that doesn't believe in the Qur'anic recitations. Their official stance is that all the recitations are flawed and that it is permissible to recite in this manner until the Mahdi comes. I would not want to learn the Qur'an from someone what a mentality like that.

[muslim720]

Wa alaykum alsalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Interesting thread.

As someone who believes in barakah, I do not believe that there is barakah from taking the recitation of the Qur'an from a sect that doesn't believe in the Qur'anic recitations. Their official stance is that all the recitations are flawed and that it is permissible to recite in this manner until the Mahdi comes. I would not want to learn the Qur'an from someone what a mentality like that.

Glad you see my concern.  However, I think there is a difference between learning to read and recitation.  Then again, insha'Allah, the instructional CDs might be by a Sunni reciter.  Plus, I will be practicing (assessing my reading) in conjunction to iQuran app (Mishary, etc).  Having said all that, I will not linger around a second longer if I find a mistake (or deviation) from the actual way of pronouncing the words.  Lastly, this masjid participates in the local "Annual Qur'anic Recitation" competition with students winning fourth prize, etc.  So I am sure if their recitation was flawed, they would have never participated in these competitions let alone win consolation prizes.

[Farid]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I never meant to suggest that they taught an incorrect recitation. I was simply stating that the orthodox Shia view is to "recite the way the 'people' recite." By people, they are referring to non-Shias of course.

I have no doubts that they will teach the proper "Sunni way" of recitation, but as I said, if they don't believe in it, will there be much barakah in it? Wallahu a'alam.

 

[muslim720]

I have no doubts that they will teach the proper "Sunni way" of recitation, but as I said, if they don't believe in it, will there be much barakah in it? Wallahu a'alam.

JazakAllah khair for the response.  In as much as I have learned from you (regarding Shias and refuting their claims against us), I cherish your input.  As for your question, indeed Allah Knows Best, but I also believe that He sets us up for opportunities.  Maybe my laziness - in all these years - was reason enough for me to learn how to read the Qur'an this way; maybe I deserve to take the tougher road to appreciate the Book of Allah (swt).

[Farid]

  In as much as I have learned from you (regarding Shias and refuting their claims against us), I cherish your input. 

Much love bro. =]

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make your journey an easy one.

[muslim720]

Much love bro. =]

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make your journey an easy one.

Likewise bro!  And I pray to Allah (swt) for the same for you.