IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE MOST COMPASSIONATE
THE FIRST SERMON FOR THE MONTH OF RABI‘ AL-AWWAL,
DATED 5TH RABI‘ AL-AWWAL 1447 AH (29/08/2022 CE)
THE SHI‘A SECT: ITS ORIGINS AND HOW IT CAUSES DIVISION
WITHIN THE RANKS OF THE MUSLIMS
THE FIRST SERMON
All praise is due to Allah; we praise Him, seek His help, ask His forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our souls and the misdeeds of our actions. Whoever Allah guides, none can mislead; and whoever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
Allah says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلاَ تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ﴾ (آل عمران: 102)
“O you who have believed, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” (Aal ‘Imran 3:102)
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاء وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءلُونَ بِهِ وَالأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا﴾ (النساء: 1)
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate and dispersed from both of them many men and women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you, an Observer.” (An-Nisa’ 4:1)
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيدًا * يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَن يُطِعْ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا﴾ (الأحزاب: 70-71)
“O you who have believed, fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice. He will [then] amend for you your deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly attained a great success.” (Al-Ahzab 33:70-71)
To proceed:
Dear brothers among the Muslims: Allah has indeed favored us by guiding us to His upright religion, from among the nations of the earth whom He allowed to stray. He has chosen for us the middle path of Islam and the best way leading to Him: the path of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah. Yet many sects have deviated from the straight path and the way of righteousness. Among these misguided sects that adopted ways of misguidance is the sect of the Rafidah, the Twelver Shi‘a. Therefore, today’s sermon will focus on the Shi‘a sect, its origins, and how it divides the ranks of Muslims.
Respected servants of Allah! The term “Shi‘a” literally means followers and supporters. This group was called Shi‘a because of their exaggeration concerning ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Some of them gave him preference over the rest of the Companions in virtue and caliphate; some even worshiped him alongside Allah the Exalted, while others held beliefs about him that are only befitting of Allah, Glorified and Exalted.
They are divided into three main groups, and each group branches into many sects:
First group: The Extremists (al-Ghulāt): They are called by this name because they went to excess regarding ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and his household, saying about him things more extreme than what even the Rafidah and the Zaydis claim. They form fifteen sects, as mentioned by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari in Maqālāt al-Islāmiyyīn (p. 25).
Among their beliefs: they claim that the law of their Imam Muhammad ibn Isma‘il abrogated the law of Muhammad ﷺ (as Ibn Taymiyyah mentions in al-Fatāwā al-Kubrā). They also hold the doctrine of taqiyyah (dissimulation) and secrecy, applying it especially during times of persecution. Al-Mufīd states in his book Tashīh al-I‘tiqād (p.115) that their religion has both an outward form and an inward meaning.
They interpret the Qur’an with explanations that lead to heresy and atheism. Al-Ghazali says about them: “It is reported from them that they permit absolute libertinism, removing all restrictions, allowing forbidden things and denying the Shari‘ah. Yet all of them deny this when it is attributed to them.”
Among them are the Nusayriyyah (Alawites): followers of Muhammad ibn Nusayr al-Basri al-Numeiri (d. 270 AH). They are called Nusayris after him. They are a sect of the Batiniyyah extremists who claim that ‘Ali is a god. Their testimony of faith is:
“I bear witness that there is no god but Haydara al-Anza‘ al-Batin, and there is no veil over Him except Muhammad, the truthful and trustworthy, and no path to Him except Salman, the possessor of firm strength.” (al-Fatāwā al-Kubrā by Ibn Taymiyyah, 3/513)
According to them, prayer consists of five names: ‘Ali, Hasan, Husayn, Muhsin, and Fatimah.
The Second Sect: The Rāfiḍah (Rejectors)
The scholars differed about the reason they were named “Rāfiḍah”. It was said because they rejected Zayd ibn ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn when he refused to disassociate himself from Abū Bakr and ʿUmar. It was also said: because they rejected the leadership of Abū Bakr and ʿUmar.
They are also called al-Imāmiyyah, because they claim that the Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly appointed ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as his successor after him. They are divided into twenty-four sects, according to Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī in Maqālāt al-Islāmiyyīn (p. 33, al-ʿAṣriyyah edition). The greatest of these in our time is the Twelvers (al-Ithnā ʿAshariyyah), also called al-Jaʿfariyyah.
They claim that the Prophet (ﷺ) designated ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib by name and identity as the Imām after him, and that ʿAlī in turn designated his son al-Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī, and so on, until they named twelve Imāms from the descendants of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (may Allah be pleased with him). The last of them is Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-ʿAskarī, who they believe entered a cellar and is still alive, awaiting his emergence. He is the awaited Mahdī according to them.
Among their beliefs are the followings:
a. The distortion of the Noble Qur’an.
b. Declaring the Companions as disbelievers, except for a few.
c. Accusing ʿĀ’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) of adultery.
d. Declaring Muslims as disbelievers, except for the Shīʿah.
e. Believing in the infallibility of the twelve Imāms, preferring them over the Prophets, and exaggerating about them to the extent of worshiping them alongside Allah.
f. The majority of them affirm that Allah experiences badāʾ (change of mind), meaning that something becomes apparent to Him after having been hidden from Him (see: al-Ḥaqīqah al-Sharʿiyyah fī Bayān Kufr al-Shīʿah al-Imāmiyyah wa-Bayān ʿAqīdat Ḥasan Naṣr Allāh wa-Ḥarakat Ḥizb Allāh al-Lubnāniyyah).
The Third Sect: The Zaydiyyah
They ascribe themselves to Zayd ibn ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, for they supported him and aided him when he rose against the Banū Umayyah, unlike the Rāfiḍah who abandoned him—just as they had abandoned his grandfather al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī (may Allah be pleased with him) earlier. They are divided into factions (Maqālāt al-Islāmiyyīn by Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī, pp. 68–83).
Among their beliefs are the followings:
a. They unanimously affirm the superiority of ʿAlī over the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and that after the Prophet (ﷺ) there is no one greater than him.
b. They agree with the Khawārij that major sinners will abide eternally in Hell.
c. Regarding Allah’s Names and Attributes, they hold the views of the Muʿtazilah.
d. They permit rebellion against unjust rulers, refuse to pray behind an open sinner, and see prayer only behind one who is not corrupt.
e. Like the Rāfiḍah and Ṣūfiyyah, they are among those who venerate and worship at graves.
f. They hate and curse Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him). As for Abū Bakr and ʿUmar, they differ—some among them accept them, while others disassociate from them.
Dear Servants of Allah, Noble Listeners!
These are but some of the deviations of the Shīʿah sects. None of their groups can rightly be affiliated with Islam, despite the clear and pure principles of the true Ḥanīfiyyah brought by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
They claim that Allah took the covenant from all creation, Prophets, and Messengers to acknowledge His Oneness, the Prophethood of Muḥammad, and the guardianship (wilāyah) of ʿAlī. In their books, there is a so-called “ḥadīth qudsī” in which they say:
“Allah, Glorified and Exalted, said: I will not accept the deeds of any of them except with the acknowledgment of ʿAlī’s guardianship, along with the Prophethood of Aḥmad, My Messenger. By My might I swear, and by My majesty I decree, no servant of Mine will show loyalty to ʿAlī except that I will keep him away from the Fire and admit him into Paradise; and no servant of Mine will dislike him or turn away from his guardianship except that I will hate him and admit him into the Fire—what an evil destination!” (Bishārat al-Muṣṭafā li-Shīʿat al-Murtaḍā, p. 61).
And among their fabrications – O noble servants of Allah – is that they claim that the Twelver Shi’ite, no matter what deeds he commits, his sins are forgiven and his faults are concealed, and that they are the successful ones on the Day of Resurrection. Al-Ṣadūq narrated from Ibn ʿAbbās that he said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه): “O ʿAlī, you and your Shiʿah are the successful ones on the Day of Resurrection … O ʿAlī, your Shiʿah are forgiven for whatever sins and faults they have committed. O ʿAlī, your Shiʿah are the Shiʿah of Allah, your supporters are the supporters of Allah, and your allies are the allies of Allah.” (al-Amālī, p. 23), as cited by Shaykh ʿAbdullāh Muḥammad al-Salafī in his book “al-Shīʿah al-Ithnā ʿAshariyyah wa Takfīruhum li-ʿUmūm al-Muslimīn.”
And how could a Muslim show partisanship for one Companion at the expense of and in opposition to other great Companions by accepting such a statement? Rather, on the contrary, they heap accusations, revilements, and even curses upon the likes of Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with them all), despite what has been authentically reported from the Prophet (ﷺ) regarding the virtues of each of them, and of all the Companions collectively. For instance, his saying (ﷺ):
“Do not revile my Companions, for if one of you were to spend gold equal to (the mountain of) Uhud, it would not amount to a mudd of one of them nor half of it.” (Agreed upon – al-Bukhārī and Muslim).
And he (ﷺ) also sternly warned: “When you see those who revile my Companions, say: May the curse of Allah be upon your wickedness.” (al-Tirmidhī).
Thus, they (the noble Companions) are indeed the true embodiment of Allah’s words about the pious and righteous believers in the Noble Qur’an.
O Allah, be pleased with Abū Bakr, ʿUmar, ʿUthmān, and all the Companions, and with the Tābiʿīn (the Followers) and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Judgment. And show us the truth as truth and grant us the ability to follow it, and show us falsehood as falsehood and grant us the ability to avoid it.
THE SECOND SERMON
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. The end is for the righteous, and there is no enmity except against the wrongdoers. May peace and blessings be upon the noblest of all Messengers, our master Muḥammad, whose Lord aided him as His servant, strengthened his soldiers, and defeated the confederates by Himself alone.
To proceed, O honorable servants of Allah! Allah the Exalted has declared in His decisive Revelation concerning what the enemies are doing – and they will never cease plotting and striving to uproot the religion of Allah and to strip mankind of it entirely if they are able – yet Allah refuses except to perfect His light, even though the disbelievers detest it:
“إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّوا عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ”
“Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah. So they will spend it; then it will be for them a [source of] regret; then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve – unto Hell they will be gathered.” (Qur’an, al-Anfāl 8:36).
O servants of Allah, the Zionist war of Israel has now become a war against humanity at large, and against Muslims in particular. The matter has escalated to the extent that it also affects Muslims in other countries, and indeed it extends across all Arab nations without exception. So what then can be said of nations where Muslims are a minority?
The living proof of this is what recently happened, as the Nigerian Security Agency arrested the leader of the Palestinian community (Abu Ibrahim) in Abuja last week. This followed Nigeria’s and Israel’s affirmation of their commitment to deepen cooperation in the field of security, especially in confronting what they claim to be terrorists. But who exactly are the “terrorists” in their records?
Beware, beware, O servants of Allah—especially senior scholars and Islamic organizations—lest they support this move that leads to our destruction as Muslims, instigated even by some of our supposed Sunni callers.
We ask Allah, the Almighty, to grant victory to Islam and the Muslims, and to raise high the banner of the religion.
Supplication:
O Allah, honor Islam and grant victory to the Muslims, and humiliate shirk and the polytheists. O Allah, we entrust to You Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), its people, and all of Palestine. Grant victory to our brothers in Palestine, and make for them triumph, honor, strength, and awe. Heal their sick, accept their martyrs, by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
O Allah, grant a mighty and swift victory to the Mujahideen stationed in Your path in Palestine. Support the Palestinian resistance factions, make their feet firm, grant them perseverance, victory, and empowerment—together with all Muslims.
O Allah, return Palestine and al-Masjid al-Aqsa to us in a beautiful return. O Allah, You are not unaware of our situation, and our weakness is evident before You. So grant us victory by Your victory, forgive us our sins, and conceal our faults, O Most Merciful of the merciful. Do not hold us accountable for what we have done.
O Allah, we ask You for security, safety, tranquility, and peace in our land and in the lands of the Muslims. O Allah, āmīn.