Shi'a etymology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Shi'a" terms |
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- This is a sub-article of Shi'a Islam.
| Arabic |
| شیعه |
| Transliteration |
| Shi'a |
| Translation |
| "follower/partisan" |
Shi'a ("follower" or "partisan) as an Islamic term traces its etymology to the very first century of Islam.
Contents |
[edit] Transliteration
The singular/adjective form of this name is Arabic shi'i شيعي. The apostrophe, or more accurately, grave accent (`) or left half-circle (ʿ), which is used to transliterate the consonant ʿayin (ع), is often dropped so that the word becomes shia.
[edit] Overview
The etymology and origin of the phrase Shi'at Ali is accoring to both Shi'a and Sunni sources a phrase that was used by the Islamic prophet Muhammad himself, initially used as a title for a group of followers of Ali in praise. Shi'a put the emphasize on those narrations, whereupon the present day Shi'a argue the usage of this term is encouraged by Sunnah.
Two other considerable factions afterwards came that carried the title "Shi'a". One that of the followers of Uthman, the Shi'a of Uthman or also known as the Uthmaniyyah, those who supported A'isha's war against Ali during the Battle of the Camel in 36 AH. The other one was the Shi'a of Mauwiyah during the Battle of Siffin in 37 AH.
Sunnis put the emphasize on the political climate of 37 AH when tracing the term Shi'a. Shah Abdul Aziz, a 19th century Sunni Deobandi Islamic scholar writes:
| The title Shia was first given to those Muhajireen and Ansar who gave Bayah to Ali (may Allah enlighten his face), they were his steadfast faithful followers during his (Ali’s) khilafat, they remained close to him, and they always fought his enemies, and kept on following Ali’s commands and prohibitions the true Shia are these who came in 37 Hijri <ref>Taufa Ithna Ashari, Farsi edition p 18, publishers Sohail Academy, Lahore, Pakistan</ref> |
Regardin the Shi'a of Mauwiyah, Muhammad al-Tijani, a 20th century Shi'a Twelver Islamic scholar elaborates <ref>Then I was Guided on Al-Islam.org [1]</ref>:
| Who was the first to use the term Ahl al-Sunnah [Sunni Traditions] and al-Jamaah? I have searched through the history books and found that they agreed to call the year in which Muawiyah seized power "the year of al-Jamaah". It was called thus because the nation became divided into two factions after the death of Uthman: The Shia of Ali and the followers of Muawiyah. When Imam Ali was martyred and Muawiyah seized power after his pact with Imam Hasan which enabled him to become commander of the believers the years was then called "al-Jamaah". Therefore the name Ahl al-Sunnah [Sunnah Traditionists], and al-Jamaah indicates the Sunnah [tradition] of Muawiyah, and the agreement on his leadership, and does not mean the followers of the Sunnah [tradition] of the Messenger of Allah. |
Sunnis do not view themselves as exclusively Shi'a of Muawiyah, rather, they view all Sahaba as reliable, considering the dispute between Muawiyah and Ali ibn Abi Talib to be political only. The term "Shi'a (of Ali)" later on became an ideological path in reference to the followers of Muhammad's family during the sixth Shi'a Imam, Jafar al Sadiq, whom was a descendant of Muhammad.
Shi'as historically do not see themselves as a sect but as followers of Muhammad and his Ahl al-Bayt and have no problem referring to themselves as such in addition to being Muslim.
[edit] Qur'anic usage
The Arabic term is also used in the Qur'an.
| And most surely Ibrahim followed his way.— translated by M. H. Shakir
Arabic: وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِيمَ |
Here Shi'a is translated into followed, a translation more emphasizing the term goes; "And most surely Abraham was among the Shi'a of him (i.e., Noah)"
| And he went into the city at a time of unvigilance on the part of its people, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his party and the other of his foes, and he who was of his party cried out to him for help against him who was of his enemies, so Musa struck him with his fist and killed him. He said: This is on account of the Shaitan's doing; surely he is an enemy, openly leading astray.— translated by M. H. Shakir
Arabic: وَدَخَلَ الْمَدِينَةَ عَلَى حِينِ غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيْنِ يَقْتَتِلَانِ هَذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِ وَهَذَا مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ فَاسْتَغَاثَهُ الَّذِي مِن شِيعَتِهِ عَلَى الَّذِي مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ فَوَكَزَهُ مُوسَى فَقَضَى عَلَيْهِ قَالَ هَذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ مُّضِلٌّ مُّبِينٌ |
Here Shi'a is translated into party, in reference to a partisan of Musa (Moses) who was aided.
| Turning to Him, and be careful of (your duty to) Him and keep up prayer and be not of the polytheists. Of those who divided their religion and became seas every sect rejoicing in what they had with them.— translated by M. H. Shakir
Arabic: مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُوهُ وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُوا دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُوا شِيَعاً كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ |
Here Shi'a, in its plural form, is translated into sect.
[edit] History
[edit] Muhammad
A narration reports:
Muhammad said to Ali: "Glad tiding O Ali! Verily you and your companions and your partisians (Shi'a) will be in Paradise." <ref>Sunni Sources:
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Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, a 16th century Sunni Islamic scholar provides a commentary for this tradition, saying:
| The Shia of Ali are the Ahl al-Sunnah since they are those who love Ahl al-Bayt as Allah and His Prophet ordered. But others (i.e., other than Sunnis) are the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt in reality for the love outside the boundary of law is the great enmity, and that was the reason for their fate. Also, the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt were al-Khawarij and their alike from Syria, not Muawiyah and other companions because they were Muteawweloon, and for them is a good reward, and for Ali and his Shia is a good reward! <ref>al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah Ch. 11, section 1, p236 [2]</ref> |
Above, "(those who) love outside the boundary of law" denotes what is presently known as Shi'a Islam. A more complete version of the tradition which is also included in Sunni sources is as follows:
A narration attributed to Ibn Abbas reports:
When the verse "Those who believe and do righteous deeds are the best of the creation <ref>Quran 98:7</ref>" was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) said to Ali: "They are you and your partisians (Shi'a)." He continued: "O Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your partisians (Shi'a) will come toward Allah well-pleased and well-pleasing, and your enemies will come angry with their head forced up. Ali said: "Who are my enemies?" The Prophet (PBUH&HF) replied: "He who disassociates himself from you and curses you . And glad tiding to those who reach first under the shadow of al-'Arsh on the day of resurrection." Ali asked: "Who are they, O the Messenger of Allah?" He replied: "Your partisians (Shia), O Ali, and those who love you." <ref>Sunni Sources:
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[edit] Al-Hasan
Imam Hasan, the grandson of Muhammad, stated in connection with the Fitna between him and Muawiyah:
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Imam Hassan said: By Allah, I think Muawiyyah would be better for me than these people who claim that they are my Shia. <ref>al-Ihtijâj by Abu Mansur al-Tabarsî vol. 2 p. 290-291 (Mu'assasat al-A'lamî, Beirut 1989)</ref> |
[edit] Imam Baqir
From Imam Baqir's, the Fifth Ahlul Bayt Imam and fourth grandson of Muhammad, conversation with Jabir al-Ju'afi
| O Jabir! How can someone who claims to follow us [Ahlul Bayt] be content with only loving us? I Swear that our partisians (Shia) is one who carries out his duty to Allah and fears him. Our partisians (Shia) are known by their humility, modesty, exceeding remembrance of Allah, fasting, Prayer, being sympathetic and helpful towards the poor, their reading of the Quran, saying nothing about a person except concerning his good actions, and they are the most trustworthy among those close to them... <ref>Shia Source; Allamah Muhammad rida al-Muzaffar - The faith of Shi'a Islam p. 65</ref> |
From Imam Baqir's conversation with Sa'id ibn Al-Hassan.
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Baqir asked Sa'id: Does it happen to you that one of you approaches his brother and he puts his hand into his brothers pocket to take some money of which he is in need, without his brother preventing him? Sa'id answered I do not know of such a thing. Baqir said, Then truly, there are no real Shi'i among you. Sa'id asked Shall we all perish, in that case? Yes, answered Baqir, indeed, for such people do not put into action what they say <ref>Shia Source; Allamah Muhammad rida al-Muzaffar - The faith of Shi'a Islam p. 66</ref> |
[edit] Imam Jafar
From Imam Jafar, The Sixth Ahlul Bayt Imam and fifth grandson of Muhammad:
| We do not count among the believers anyone unless he obeys all our commandments. Indeed, rightousness is the only sign of one who follows us. Adorn yourselves with it, and may Allah have mercy on you. <ref>Shia Sources; Allamah Muhammad rida al-Muzaffar - The faith of Shi'a Islam p. 66</ref> |
Also:
| Truly, a partisians (Shia) of Jafar is one who does not listen to his stomach, or to his carnal desires, who endeavours in the path of Islam, who acts for the sake of Allah, hoping only for his reward and fearing his Chastisement, Yes indeed, such are the partisians (Shia) of Jafar <ref>Shia Source; Allamah Muhammad rida al-Muzaffar - The faith of Shi'a Islam p. 67</ref> |
Also:
| Our Shi'a are compassionate among each other. When they are alone or when they hold a private meeting, they remember Allah. Verily, the remembrance of us is of the remembrance of Allah. When we are remembered Allah has been remembered and when our enemy is remembered, Satan has been remembered. <ref>Shia Source; Ziyarat Nahiya al-Muqadasa - Vahid Majd p. 11</ref> |
[edit] Imam Rida
- Imam Rida, The eight Ahlul Bayt Imam and seventh grandson of Muhammad:
| Certainly, for every Imam there is a covenant incumbent on those who accepted their leadership and their (Real) Shi'a. Without a doubt, that which completes and perfects the fulfillment of the covenant is visitation of their graves. Those who visit them longingly as a (practical) acknowledgment of what they long for (in their hearts), their Imams shall certainly be their intercessors on the day of Rising <ref>Shia Source; Ziyarat Nahiya Al-Muqadasa - Vahid Majd p. 10</ref> |
[edit] References
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