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Shī‘a terms

Shi'a Islam Moderate Shi'a Real Shi'a Shi'a of Ali Shi'a of Uthman Shi'a of Mauwiyah

A Real Shi'a is a recurring thought in the Shi'a theology. It implies that it is not enough to be the partisan of Ali to qualify to bear the title "Shi'a"; rather one must emulate him to near perfection and obey the commands of the Imam of time unconditionally.

Contents 1 Definition 2 Hadith 2.1 The Four Companions 2.2 Imam Baqir 2.3 Imam Baqir 3 See also 4 References

Shia believe that very few people have these qualities and quote several hadith in which the Shi'a Imams complain about having plenty of Shi'a, but few perfect Shi'a. Salafis have been known to quote these hadith to give the impression that the Shi'a Imams distanced themselves from the mainstream Shi'a, or that Shi'a believe most Sahaba to be apostates.

One of those hadith is as follows:

“

People became apostates after the death of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), except for three people: Miqdad ibn Aswad, Abu Dharr Ghifari and Salmaan Farsi. [1].

”

From Imam Baqir's conversation with Sa'id Ibn Al-Hassan:

Baqir asked Al Hassan:

Does it happen to you that one of you approaches his brother and he puts his hand into his brother's 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. (al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi)

It is reported in Al Kafi (Volume 2, page 74, Hadith No. 3) that Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) addressing Jabir said [1]:

"O Jabir, do you think that it is enough for anyone just to claim by his tongue that he loves Ahlul Bayt? Does he, by such a claim, become our Shiah? Jabir, I swear by the Almighty that until a person fears Allah and obeys Him, he cannot claim to be our Shiah. He must have humility, be just, fulfill his promises, engage as much as possible in the remembrance of Allah, fulfill his obligations of salah and fasting, show affection and sympathy and obedience to his parents, assist and be kind to his neighbours, the poor, those in debt as well as show sympathy and affection to the orphans. He must always be truthful. He should read and study Qur'an. There must never be any malice in his heart. Without these qualities, he can not qualify to claim that he loves us or is our Shiah. O Jabir, it is not enough for any person only to say by word of mouth that he loves Hadhrat Ali and the Ahlul Bayt. He must follow the 'seerah' (way of life) of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt and act according to the sunnah established by them. If he does not, then his claim of love for Ahlul Bayt can never benefit him.

O Jabir, without 'ita'ah' (obedience and submission), nobody can attain proximity to Allah. We do not like them to claim to be our friends if they do not fulfil all the conditions. A sinful person is our enemy. Without good deeds and abstinence from sins, any claim of friendship to us is of no avail."

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1. ^ Furu al-Kafi: Kitabul Rauda

also:

• Furu al-Kafi: Kitabul Rauda: 115
• Tarikh: al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v12, p289