Ok. To make my intentions clear to all people over here I will list down my beliefs so that no one has any more doubts about me and whether I have some hidden motives, etc. My main purpose to come to this forum is to challenge my beliefs which I as a Shia have to know whether there are based on evidence or emotions. As I am not a scholar nor did I do Ph.D in Islamic Studies so you can know that I have very limited knowledge. And being South Asian I don't understand Arabic language so I can't get information first hand as I am dependent on English translation and so much of my knowledge comes from material on internet. Material on internet has reliability issues as those information aren't backed by Respected Scholars or Authentic References or there maybe Mistranslation dishonesty involved or hadiths, reports and narrations maybe misinterpreted or taken out of context, etc. So this is also one of the main reasons for me to ask directly in this forum about the materials which I read on the internet on Shia websites whether there are correct or is there some misinformation or dishonesty involved. I didn't come here for some debate but for gaining knowledge and knowing the truth.
Here are my beliefs which I as a Shia have and about which I would discuss in detail by opening a thread for them. I won't be discussing on all topics at once but step by step so that I may gain deep understanding and be firmly grounded in knowledge.
Topic 01:
Belief in ALLAH (SWT)
This is common factor uniting both Shias and Sunnis. However in this topic I will discuss about the concept of Bada and other related issues such as Shias concept of Tauheed.
Topic 02:
Belief in Prophethood of Mohammed (s.a.w.w)
This again is common factor uniting both Shias and Sunnis. However again in this topic I will discuss about Infallibility of Prophet (s.a.w.w), Receiving of Prophethood, 40 years of his (s.a.w.w) life before receiving Revelations, his (s.a.w.w) purpose of mission of Prophethood & Messenger ship, his (s.a.w.w) Parents and Grandparents as well as his upbringing, his dealing with the people (Believers, Jews, Christians and Polytheists), etc.
Topic 03:
Belief in Al Qur'an
Again this is common factor uniting Shias and Sunnis. The topic would cover discussion about Sunnis accusing Shias of belief in Tahreef of Qur'an, Shias claiming Imams (a.s) having there own Qur'an different from Qur'an in our hands today, etc.
Topic 04:
Belief in Imamate
This is the main factor of disagreement between Shias and Sunnis. The topic would involve discussion of the concept of Imamate, Imamate in Qur'an & Hadiths, Mentioning of Numbers and Names of Imams in Qur'an & Hadiths, is Imamate continuation of Prophethood or hidden Prophethood or is Imamate above Prophethood or is Imamate totally different from Prophethood, etc.
And other topics such as Method of Salat, Wudhu, Prostration on Mud, Belief in Taqiyyah, Mutah and other differences.
I would also have discussion on following topics:
The reason of Hatred for Caliphs (r.a) and Sahabas (r.a) by 12ers Shias, Shias accusing of Hadhrat Umar (r.a) burning the House of Hadhrat Fatima al-Zehra (s.a), Fadak issue, Naming of Children of Imams (a.s) on the names of Caliphs (r.a), Authenticity of History events such as Poisoning of Imams (a.s) by the Caliphs of their time and the Event of Karbala and the Origin of Shia Matam, etc.
I will be discussing on all of these topics by asking questions which I as 12er have or many of my 12er friends have. I hope Insha ALLAH (SWT) my knowledge and understanding will increase and if I have any misconception or misinformation it would be removed by discussing these topics on this forum. May ALLAH (SWT) Guide us all to the Path which Pleases HIM (SWT). Ameen Ya RABBIL ALAMEEN.