IDENTITY- SHI’A VERSIONIDENTITY- SHI’A VERSION

Minority within an American Minority within an American MajorityMajority

Stages of Development of IdentityStages of Development of Identity

1.1. Within a few months of birthWithin a few months of birth2.2. Grows in familyGrows in family3.3. Grows further in school and communityGrows further in school and community4.4. Sees differences in:Sees differences in:

a.a. ColorColorb.b. LanguageLanguagec.c. ReligionReligiond.d. Behavior and CustomsBehavior and Customs

Consequences of IdentityConsequences of Identity

1.1. When Affirmative Can be an Incentive:When Affirmative Can be an Incentive:a.a. to flourish and to flourish and

b.b. innovateinnovate

2.2. When Negative Can:When Negative Can:a.a. Lower self-respect and Lower self-respect and

b.b. even destroy self-confidenceeven destroy self-confidence

Identity in AmericaIdentity in America

1.1. Born in America and raised by immigrant Born in America and raised by immigrant parentsparentsa.a. Middle EasternMiddle Easternb.b. IrishIrishc.c. ChineseChinesed.d. Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or other identitiesBuddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or other identities

2.2. Immigrated to America, thus facing: Immigrated to America, thus facing: a.a. Cultural clashes Cultural clashes b.b. Nationality dilemmaNationality dilemmac.c. Language barrierLanguage barrierd.d. Education seekingEducation seeking

Religious IdentityReligious Identity

The most powerful identityThe most powerful identity

If it is Islamic:If it is Islamic:1.1. BeliefBelief

2.2. Language BarrierLanguage Barrier

3.3. Behavior modesBehavior modes

4.4. ColorColor

5.5. Mode of dressMode of dress

The society looking at you to how to consider The society looking at you to how to consider youyou

Holding on to IdentityHolding on to Identity

1.1. Islamicly:Islamicly:a.a. SunniSunni

b.b. Shi’aShi’a

2.2. Culturally:Culturally:a.a. Habits, ethics, and MoralityHabits, ethics, and Morality

3.3. Nationality:Nationality:a.a. LanguageLanguage

b.b. EducationEducation

Two Branches of IslamTwo Branches of Islam

The Shi’aThe Shi’a

and and

The SunniThe Sunni

Islamic IdentityIslamic Identity

1.1. Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or SunniSunni

2.2. Educate yourself about your convictionEducate yourself about your conviction

3.3. Master the English to express yourself Master the English to express yourself wellwell

4.4. Express yourself with conviction and vigorExpress yourself with conviction and vigor

5.5. Talk with confidence and with prideTalk with confidence and with pride

Sunni Schools of Thought:Sunni Schools of Thought:

At first there were many Schools of At first there were many Schools of Thought (more than 20 schools).Thought (more than 20 schools).

Through time only four schools persisted:Through time only four schools persisted:1.1.HanafiHanafi

2.2.MaalikiMaaliki

3.3.Shafi‘iShafi‘i

4.4.HanbaliHanbali

Statistics as of 1996:Statistics as of 1996:

SHI’A …………………………………………..…….. 282 SHI’A …………………………………………..…….. 282 MillionsMillions

SUNNISUNNIHanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 MillionsMillions

Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 MillionsMillions

Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 MillionsMillions

Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 MillionsMillions

Sunni-Shi’a SimilaritiesSunni-Shi’a Similarities

Faith Faith

Doctrine Doctrine

Basics of Rituals Basics of Rituals

Ethical Values Ethical Values

EschatologyEschatology

Sunni-Shi’a DissimilaritiesSunni-Shi’a Dissimilarities

Political: Khilaafah Political: Khilaafah

Expression of Rituals: Technique Expression of Rituals: Technique

Ahlul Bayt (Family of the Prophet) Ahlul Bayt (Family of the Prophet)

Evolution of Heritage: Shi’a versus Sunni Evolution of Heritage: Shi’a versus Sunni

Source References (Tafseer, Hadith, etc.)Source References (Tafseer, Hadith, etc.)

About Ahlul BaytAbout Ahlul Bayt

Carried out the Teaching of Islam after the Carried out the Teaching of Islam after the Prophet Prophet Period Span: 329 YearsPeriod Span: 329 YearsTwelve GenerationsTwelve GenerationsThe best available means to teach in absence of The best available means to teach in absence of mediamediaInformation authentic source of IslamInformation authentic source of IslamSuffered greatly at the hands of rulersSuffered greatly at the hands of rulers300 narrators of Sihah Sitta were student of Al-300 narrators of Sihah Sitta were student of Al-SaadiqSaadiq

The Golden Chain of NarrationThe Golden Chain of Narration

Thousands of Hadiths were narrated and quoted by Thousands of Hadiths were narrated and quoted by Ahlul BaytAhlul BaytEach Imam said,Each Imam said,

"My Hadith is the Hadith of my father, and his is the Hadith "My Hadith is the Hadith of my father, and his is the Hadith of his father, up to Ali, who directly narrated the Hadith of his father, up to Ali, who directly narrated the Hadith

from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)."from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)."  This is called the This is called the Golden Chain of NarrationGolden Chain of Narration. . السلسه السلسه

الذهبيهالذهبيهThese Hadiths were of immense importance, since they These Hadiths were of immense importance, since they corrected the inaccuracies and set right the corrected the inaccuracies and set right the contaminations which had crept into this science.   contaminations which had crept into this science.   

Ali From the Prophet

Zainul Abideen From his Father

Muhammad (pbuh)

Al-Husain From his Father

Al-Hasan From his Father

Al-Baaqir From his Father

Al-Saadiq From his Father

Al-Ridha From his Father

Al-Kadhim From his Father

Al-Jawaad From his Father

Al-Haadi From his Father

Al-Askari From his Father

The Golden Chain of Narration

Golden Chain of Narration by nowGolden Chain of Narration by now

Ali

Al-Husain Al-Hasan

Zainul Abideen

Al-Saadiq

Al-Baaqir

Al-Ridha

Al-Kadhim

Al-Jawaad

Al-Haadi

Al-Askari

The KnowledgeThe Knowledge

The knowledge comes by way of:The knowledge comes by way of:

1.1. the Corpus of Knowledge the Corpus of Knowledge الجامعهالجامعه

2.2. Al-Muhad'dithAl-Muhad'dith ( المحد�ث ( %سماع باأل )النقر المحد�ث ( %سماع باأل النقر

3.3. and the Un-Erring Inspiration and the Un-Erring Inspiration النكت النكتبالقلوببالقلوب

Corpus of KnowledgeCorpus of Knowledge

Corpus of Knowledge Corpus of Knowledge consists of the consists of the

following:following:

1.1. Quran in chorological Quran in chorological orderorder

2.2. Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima)Tafseer (Mus’haf Fatima)3.3. Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)Hadith (Saheefa of Ali)4.4. Ah’kaamAh’kaam5.5. Al-JafrAl-Jafr

1.1.White Jafr: Prophets and White Jafr: Prophets and early timesearly times

2.2.Red Jafr: Rules of war in Red Jafr: Rules of war in IslamIslam

Shi’a HeritageShi’a Heritage

1.1.Ghadeer KhumGhadeer Khum2.2.AshuraaAshuraa3.3.Ramadhan Du’aas (Supplications)Ramadhan Du’aas (Supplications)4.4.Celebration of Birthdays of the Prophet Celebration of Birthdays of the Prophet

and the 12 Imamsand the 12 Imams5.5.Visitations of the ShrinesVisitations of the Shrines6.6.Reading special Du’aas (Supplications) at Reading special Du’aas (Supplications) at

different occasions.different occasions.

Shi’a HeritageShi’a Heritage

Identify with:Identify with:1.1. Teachings of Ahlul BaytTeachings of Ahlul Bayt

2.2. The 4 Canonical Hadith Books of Shi’aThe 4 Canonical Hadith Books of Shi’a

3.3. Nahjul BalaaghahNahjul Balaaghah

4.4. Al-Saheefa Al-SajjadiyaAl-Saheefa Al-Sajjadiya

Follow the Edicts of their chosen Marji’Follow the Edicts of their chosen Marji’

Contemporary Schools of ThoughtContemporary Schools of Thought

Accepted and on the Accepted and on the ascendancy:ascendancy:

1.1. The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserters),The Shi'a (Imamah-Asserters),

2.2. Mu'tazila, Mu'tazila,

3.3. Al-HanafiAl-Hanafi

4.4. Al-MaalikiAl-Maaliki

5.5. Al-Shafi’iAl-Shafi’i

6.6. As‘haab Al-HadithAs‘haab Al-Hadith

On Precipitous On Precipitous decline and in decline and in disfavor:disfavor:

1.1. Khariji, Khariji,

2.2. Jabriah, Jabriah,

3.3. Qadariyah, Qadariyah,

4.4. schools of Ibn Abbas, schools of Ibn Abbas,

5.5. schools of Ibn Omar, schools of Ibn Omar,

6.6. Murji'ah, Murji'ah,

Al-Baaqir Describes his devotees Al-Baaqir Describes his devotees

"By Allah our Shi'a is: he who obeys "By Allah our Shi'a is: he who obeys Allah, is pious, and upright. HeAllah, is pious, and upright. He

obeys Allah, is pious, and upright.obeys Allah, is pious, and upright.

Our Shi'a are recognized for their Our Shi'a are recognized for their modesty, humility, excessive modesty, humility, excessive worship, frequent offering of Salat, worship, frequent offering of Salat, observance of fast, and they honor observance of fast, and they honor their parents.their parents.

Our Shi'a care for neighbors, the Our Shi'a care for neighbors, the disadvantaged, the needy, the disadvantaged, the needy, the indebted, and the orphans,indebted, and the orphans,

Our Shi'a always speak the truth, recite Our Shi'a always speak the truth, recite the Holy Quran, hold their tongue the Holy Quran, hold their tongue against speaking ill of others, andagainst speaking ill of others, and

Our Shi'a are trustworthy in all matters Our Shi'a are trustworthy in all matters of social and spiritual relationship.of social and spiritual relationship.

إتقى    من 3 إال شيعتنا ما إتقى والله من 3 إال شيعتنا ما واللهوأطاعه وأطاعه الله      الله

3 إال فون =عر% ي كانوا 3 وما إال فون =عر% ي كانوا وماوأداء والتخشع وأداء بالتواضع والتخشع بالتواضع

الله ذGكر Gوكثرة الله أألمانة ذGكر Gوكثرة أألمانة

والصالة والصالة والصوم والصوم

وتعهOد بالوالدين وتعهOد والبر� بالوالدين والبر�وذوي الفقراء من% وذوي الجيران الفقراء من% الجيران

واأليتام والغارمين Gكنة Uواأليتام الم%س والغارمين Gكنة Uالم%سوتالوة الحديث وتالوة وصGدق الحديث وصGدق

القرآنالقرآن

إال الناس عن األلسن إال وكف� الناس عن األلسن وكف�خير خير من من

Al-Askari Advises:Al-Askari Advises:

““I advice you to be heedful of I advice you to be heedful of Allah, pious in your Deen, Allah, pious in your Deen, truthful in whatever you say, to truthful in whatever you say, to render the trust to him who had render the trust to him who had entrusted you with, whether that entrusted you with, whether that person was pious or not, to person was pious or not, to prolong your Sujoods, and to be prolong your Sujoods, and to be good to your neighbors, for this good to your neighbors, for this is what Muhammad (pbuh) is what Muhammad (pbuh) came out with.  Pray with your came out with.  Pray with your people, be present at their people, be present at their funerals, visit the sick, and give funerals, visit the sick, and give

people their rights.people their rights.

الله    بتقوى =وصيكم الله أ بتقوى =وصيكم أدينكم في دينكم والورع في والورع

وأداء الحديث وأداء وصدق الحديث وصدقائتمنكم من إلى ائتمنكم األمانة من إلى األمانة

فاجر أو بار فاجر من أو بار من ، ،

وحسن السجود وحسن وطول السجود وطولجاء    فبهذا جاء    الجوار، فبهذا الجوار،

( ص ( )محمد ص (       محمد

عشائركم في عشائركم وص%لOوا في وص%لOواوأدوا مرضاكم وأدوا وعودوا مرضاكم وعودوا

حقوقهم حقوقهم للناس للناس

Al-Saadiq and the Silent Da’waAl-Saadiq and the Silent Da’wa

"I advise you to be "I advise you to be heedful of Allah, to heedful of Allah, to render the trust to render the trust to those who had trusted those who had trusted you with it, to treat you with it, to treat well those in your well those in your company, and be the company, and be the ones who will do ones who will do the the Silent Da'wa [Callers]Silent Da'wa [Callers] for us."for us."

ألصحابه ألصحابه يقول ::يقول

الله بتقوى =وصيكم الله أ بتقوى =وصيكم ألمن األمانة لمن وأداء األمانة وأداء

وح=سن وح=سن ائتمنكم ائتمنكملمن لمن الصOحبة الصOحبة

وأن وأن صحبتموه صحبتموه hدعاة لنا دعاةh تكونوا لنا تكونوا

…….. …….. صامتينصامتين

Al-Kadhim advisesAl-Kadhim advises

Grant yourself a portion of the Grant yourself a portion of the Dunya [the present world] by Dunya [the present world] by allowing it its desires from the allowing it its desires from the lawful things and from what does lawful things and from what does not breach honor, nor of not breach honor, nor of extravagance.  Make use of it to extravagance.  Make use of it to help you fulfill your Islamic duties, help you fulfill your Islamic duties, for it is reported that:  “He is not for it is reported that:  “He is not one of us who abandons his one of us who abandons his Dunya [the present world] for the Dunya [the present world] for the sake of the next world [Deen], nor sake of the next world [Deen], nor who abandons his Deen [Islam] who abandons his Deen [Islam]

for his Dunya.”for his Dunya.”

ألنفسكم    ألنفسكم إجعلوا إجعلواالدنيا من h الدنيا حظا من h حظا

تشتهي ما تشتهي بإعطائها ما بإعطائهاال وما الحالل، ال من وما الحالل، من

ال وما المروءه ال يثلم وما المروءه يثلمواستعينوا فيه، رUف% Gواستعينوا س فيه، رUف% Gس

=مور أ على =مور بذلك أ على بذلك  : روي فإنه :  الدين، روي فإنه الدين،ترك من منا ترك ليس من منا ليس

ترك أو لدينه، ترك دنياه أو لدينه، دنياهلدنياه لدنياه دينه دينه

Select sayings of Al-AskariSelect sayings of Al-Askari

The heart of the fool is in his mouth, while the mouth of the The heart of the fool is in his mouth, while the mouth of the wise is in his heart, [meaning: A foolish person speaks wise is in his heart, [meaning: A foolish person speaks without weighing what he wants to say, while a wise man without weighing what he wants to say, while a wise man thinks deeply before he says].thinks deeply before he says].

  What an ugly quality a believer may have, that he desires What an ugly quality a believer may have, that he desires [something] for which he degrades himself.[something] for which he degrades himself.

  The love of a pious man for another pious person is a reward The love of a pious man for another pious person is a reward for the pious person;  while the love by an impious man for for the pious person;  while the love by an impious man for the pious one is distinction for the pious person.  But, the the pious one is distinction for the pious person.  But, the spite of the pious person toward the impious ones is a spite of the pious person toward the impious ones is a disgrace on the impious ones.disgrace on the impious ones.

Holding on Cultural IdentityHolding on Cultural Identity

Hold to your ways but be discerningHold to your ways but be discerning

Make effort to befriend people of your Make effort to befriend people of your nationalitynationality

Be friendly to AmericansBe friendly to Americans

Explain your ways with pride to Explain your ways with pride to Americans Americans

Frequent and consistent visits to Islamic Frequent and consistent visits to Islamic CentersCenters

Holding on Nationalistic IdentityHolding on Nationalistic Identity

Speak your language with parentsSpeak your language with parents

Teach children Arabic as well as your own Teach children Arabic as well as your own languagelanguage

Celebrate your usual national holidaysCelebrate your usual national holidays

Attend meetings catering to your national Attend meetings catering to your national aspirationsaspirations

Unique opportunity in AmericaUnique opportunity in America

The US is your The US is your host countryhost country that gives that gives you freedom of expression and work you freedom of expression and work opportunityopportunity

As its guest you ought to:As its guest you ought to:respect the ways fit for the Americans, but respect the ways fit for the Americans, but

keep your ways intact and soundkeep your ways intact and sound

Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of your goals and aimsyour goals and aims

Unique opportunity in AmericaUnique opportunity in America

Get involved in the American ProcessGet involved in the American ProcessSeek Professions:Seek Professions:

ConstructionConstructionBusinessBusinessGovernmentGovernmentPoliticalPoliticalAdministrativeAdministrativeInvestmentsInvestmentsThe Myriad others availableThe Myriad others available

Encourage your children to Pursue Professions of Encourage your children to Pursue Professions of Potential Value to America as well as Islamic SocietyPotential Value to America as well as Islamic Society

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Be in Allah’s CareBe in Allah’s Care

Dr. A.S. HashimDr. A.S. Hashim