Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent,the Merciful.

There is no difference of opinion amongstMuslim sects that the `religion' of Allah is Islam;that the only way to know Islam is through theBook of Allah and the sunnah of the HolyProphet; that the Book of Allah is what isknown as the Qur'an, without any additionor substraction.

And what difference is there, is in theinterpretation of some of the verses of theQur'an; and in believing or not believing someof the sunnah as genuine; or in its interpretation.

This difference of approach has led towardsthe difference in some basic principles and somelaws of shari'ah.As the basic principles of Islam are wellknown, I do not think it necessary to enumerate all the beliefs.

It will be sufficient if someof the important differences are described hereto give the readers a fairly comprehensive ideaof the main characteristics which distinguishthe Shi'ahs from the Sunnis.

All the Muslims argee that Allah is one,Muhammad is His last Prophet and that oneday Allah will resurrect all the human beingsand all will be answerable to their beliefs andactions.

All of them agree that anyone not believing in any of the above Three basic Principlesis not a Muslim. Also, they agree that anybodydenying the famous tenets of Islam, like salah(prayers), sawm (fasting), hajj (pilgrimage toMecca), zakat (religious tax), etc., or believingthat the famous sins, like drinking wine, adultery, stealing, gambling, lie, murder, etc., are notsins, is not a Muslim, though he might have beenbelieving in Allah and His Prophet Muhammad,because to deny such things is tant amount todeny the prophethood of Muhammad and hisshari`ah ( Divine Law).

When we go further, we come across those subjects which are not agreed amongst the Muslims, and there the differences betweendifferent sects of Islam begin.

Chapter 2

PERSON OF GOD

The Sunnis say that Allah has body, not like the bodies we know. There is a vast materialwhich can be quoted here describing that belief.But as all the Sunnis nowadays are Ash'arite(followers of Abu'1-Hasan al-Ash`ari) , I wouldlike to note down his belief on this subject.He says"We confess that God is firmly seated onHis Throne …

We confess that God has twohands, without asking how … We confess thatGod has two eyes, without asking how… Weconfess that God has a face … We confess thatGod has a knowledge … We affirm hearing andsight, and do not deny that, as do the Mu'tazila,the Jahmiyya, and the Khawarij… . We affirmthat God has a power… " (A. J. Arberry, Revelation and Reason in Islam, pp. 22 - 23; quotedfrom al-Ibana by Abu'1-Hasan al-Ash`ari) .

We, the Shi`ah Ithna Asharis  ( TwelveImam Shi'ism) believe that Allah has not gota body.

"Verily, Allah is One, Unique, nothing islike Him, He is Eternal; Hearing, Seeing, Omniscient, Living, Omnipotent, above every need.He cannot be described in terms of substance,nor body, nor, form, nor accident, nor line, norsurface, nor heaviness, nor lightness, nor colour,nor movement, nor rest, nor time, nor space.He is above all the descriptions which can beapplied to His creatures."

"He is away from both extremes: Neither He is just a non-entity (as atheists and in a lesserdegree Mu'tazilites implied), nor He is just likeother things. He is Existent, not like other existing things." (ash-Shaykh as-Saduq, al-I`tigadat ).

Of course, there are some verses in theQur'an which ascribe the words used for limbsto the person of God. But according to the interpretation of our Imdms, they are used inmetaphorical, not literal, sense.

For example, the verse:"Every thing is mortal except His face" means` except His person'. Surely, even the Sunnis cannot say that only the face of God will remain,while all His so-called limbs will die! Similarly,Allah has used the word `Hand' in several placesin the Qur'an. But it means His Power and HisMercy, as in the verse:"But His hands are outspread".

Chapter 3

CAN ALLAH BE SEEN?

As a direct result of the above mentioneddifference, the Sunnis say that Allah can beseen. Some of them, like Imam Ahmad ibnHanbal, say that He can be seen in this world,as well as in the life hereafter. Others say thatHe can be seen in the life hereafter only.On the other hand, we, the Ithna 'asharis,say that He cannot be seen anywhere, because He has no body, and because Allah says in the"Sight cannot reachHim" (6:103).

The Sunnis use the following verse as theirProof:"Some faces on that day (of judgement) willbe fresh, looking towards their Lord" (7522-23).

But in Arabic language the word "nazar"does not imply 'seeing'. Often it issaid: 'nazartu ilal hilal falam arahu' (I lookedtowards the new moon but I did not see it).Therefore, the verse cannot imply that theywill see God. According to our interpretation,it means that they will be looking forward forthe blessings of Allah.

Chapter 4

ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH

According to the Shi'ah Ithna ' asharis,attributes of Allah can be put in two distinct  groups: First, those attributes which denote Hisperson; second, those attributes which denoteHis actions.

ash-Shaykh as-Saduq says:

"For example, we say that Allah was forever 'Hearing, Seeing, Omniscient, Wise, Omnipotent, Having power, Living, Self-existent;One and Eternal. And these are His personalattribute;.

"And we do not say that He was from everCreating, Doing, Intending, pleased, displeased,Giving sustenance, Speaking; because these virtues describe His actions; and they are noteternal; it is not allowed to say that Allah wasdoing all these actions from eternity. The reasonfor this distinction is obvious. Actions need anobject. If, for example, we say that Allah wasgiving sustenance from ever, we will have to admit the existence of sustained things from ever.

In other words, we will have to admit that theworld was from ever. But it is against ourbelief that nothing except God is Eternal.

"It appears that the Sunnis have no clearview of this distinction. And they say that allHis attributes are Eternal. And that was theactual cause of their belief that the Qur'an,being the kalam (speech) of God, is Eternal,not created. Because they said that He wasmutakallim (speaking) from ever. "The Hanbalites so far as said that `Not only were the .wordsand sounds of the Qur'an eternal, so that evenits recital was uncreated, but its parchment andbinding shared the same qualities … In the socalled Testament of Abu Hanifah … a more moderate view is expressed: `We confess thatthe Qur'dn is the speech of Allah, uncreated,His inspiration, and revelation, not He, yet notother than He, but His real quality, written inthe copies, recited by the tongues … The ink,the paper, the writing are created, for they are the work of man' " (A. J. Arberry, Revelationand Reason in Islam, pp. 26 - 27).

But as we, the Shi'ah Ithna ' asharis, distinguish between His personal virtues and Hisactions, we say:

"Our belief about the Qur'an is that it isthe Speech of God, and His revelation sent by Him, and His word and His book… And that Allah is its Creator and its Sender and its Guardian… " (al-I'tiqadat).

The bitter quarrels among two groups ofthe Sunnis (Mu'tazilites and Ash'arites) on thissubject are well-known, and there is no needto relieve them.

Chapter 5

PLACE OF REASON IN RELIGION

This is one of the most important distinction between the Sunnis on one side, and theIthna ' asharis on another. To be more exact,I should have used the word Ash'arites, in placeof Sunnis. But all the Sunnis nowadays are Ash'arites. Mu'tazilites have become extinctlong ago, though some of the great scholarsof the recent times like Justice Amir `Ali wereMu`tazilites.

Any how, the Shi'ahs say: that irrespectiveof religious commandments, there is real meritor demerit in different courses of actions, andit is because a certain thing is good that Godorders it, and because the other is bad that Heforbids it.

The Sunnis deny this conception. Theysay that nothing is good or evil in itself. Onlywhat God has commanded us is good and whatHe has forbidden us is evil. If a thing is forbidden by God it is bad; then if God cancels thefirst order, and allows it, it will become good,after being bad.

In other' words, the Shi'ahs say that Godhas forbidden us to tell lie because it is bad;the Sunnis say that lie has become bad because God has forbidden it.

The Shi`ahs recognize the relation of causewith effect. The Sunnis deny it. They say thatthere is no cause except Allah. And it is just ahabit of Allah that whenever, for example, we drink water He quenches our thirst. Based upon the above difference of attitude about the  position of reason in religion are the following differences:-

The Shi'ahs say that God never acts without purpose or aimlessly. All His actions arebased on wisdom and intelligent purpose. Proof Because it is not commendable, rationally, toact without purpose. The Sunnis on the other hand, because of their denouncement of rational merit or demerit, say that it is quite possible for God to act aimlessly.

It follows that, according to the Shi`ahs,,God does nothing which has inherent demeritin it. The Sunnis deny it.The Shi'ah say that all actions of Allahare intended for the benefit of His creatures.Because He Himself has no need; and if His actions become devoid of benefits for His creation also, they will become aimless, which isrationally not commendable. The Sunnis denyit., because of their stand about rational meritor demerit.

Chapter 6

LUTF: GRACE

Based upon the above differences, is thedifference about their attitude towards theGrace of Allah.

The Shi`ahs say that the Grace is morally,incumbent upon Allah. "By the Grace is understood that action on thg part of God which  would help to bring His creatures nearer to Hisdevotion and obedience and facilitate theirmoral correction, (which is) morally incumbenton Him.

"Allah has commanded us to be just, whileHe Himself treats us with something better,namely Grace (tafaddul).

"The Sunnis, on the other hand, say, "Godleadeth astray whom He wills and guideth arightwhom He wills, and it is not incumbent uponGod Most High to do that which may be bestfor the creature." (Creed of an-Nasafi )

Chapter 7

GOD'S PROMISES

Based upon our stand on Justice and Graceis our view that

"Whatever God has promised as rewardfor a good work, He will fulfil it; but whatever  He has threatened as punishment for a badwork, it is upon His discretion. If He metedout the punishment, it will be by His Justice;if He forgives it, it will be by His Grace." (ashShaykh as-Saduq, al-I`tiqadat )

We are confronted both by the Kharijite sand Mu'tazilites on one side and the Ash'ariteson other side. The Mu'tazilites and Kharijitessay that it is incumbent upon God to fulfil His threats also. He has no power to forgive. TheAsh` writes, on the other hand say that it is not incumbent upon Him even to fulfil His promises ofrewards. They go so far as to say, "Even if Allahwas to send the prophets in Hell, and Satan toParadise, it is not against virtue, because thereis no inherent demerit in any action. "

Chapter 8

WHY BELIEVE IN GOD

The Shi'ahs say: Man is obliged by his reason to know God, and to obey His commands.

In other words, necessity of religion is proved,first of all, by reason.The Sunnis say: Reason has nothing to dowith anything. Of course, it is necessary to believe in Allah, but not on account of reason. Itis necessary because Allah has ordered us toknow Him. According to the Shiite view, thistype of proof creates vicious circle. Believe inGod. Why? Because God has ordered it. Butwe do not know who is God. Why should weobey Him?

Chapter 9

LIMIT OF LAW

The Shi `ahs say: God cannot give us acommand beyond our strength, because it iswrong rationally. The Sunnis do not agreewith it.

OUR ACTIONS: TAQDIR

Are our actions really ours? Or are we justa tool in the hands of Allah? The Shi'ahs say:"taqdir means that, 'Allah possesses foreknowledge of human actions. But He does not compel any man to act in any particular way.' "(al-I'tiqadat )

To make it clear, it should be explainedhere, that man's conditions or actions are oftwo kinds (i) Those actions about which hecan be advised, ordered, praised or blamed.Such actions are within his power and are dependent upon his will. (ii) Such conditions about which he cannot be praised or blamed,like life, death, etc. Such conditions are outsidehis sphere of will or power. For example, wecan advise a patient to consult this or thatdoctor and remain under his treatment; but wecannot advise him to become cured. Why this difference? Because getting treatment is underhis power, but getting cured is not in his power.It is something which comes from Allah.

But even our freedom of action is a gift ofAllah. He has given us the power, the freedom,the strength, the limbs, the wisdom and everything with which we do any' work. Therefore,we are not independent of Allah, because ourfreedom is not only given but even sustained byHim. But our actions are not compelled by God,because He, after showing us the right and wrongways, and after enjoining us to do right, has leftus to our own freewill. If we go wrong, it is ourown choice. ash-Shaykh as-Saduq says: "Ourbelief in this respect is what has been taught byal-Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq: `There is no compulsion (by God) and no relinquishing the authority (of God) ; but a condition between thesetwo conditions.' Then the Imam was asked:'How is it?' He said: `Suppose you see a manintending to commit a sin; and you forbade him;but he did not listen to you; and you left him;and he did commit that sin. Now when he didnot pay heed to you and you left him, it cannotbe said that you ordered him or allowed him tosin.' " (al-I'tiqadat )

In other words, we believe that God hasgiven us power and will and then has left usfree to do what we like. At the same time, Hehas taught us, through the prophets, what isright and what is wrong. Now, as He is Omniscient, He knows what will be our actions indifferent times of our life. But this knowledgedoes not make Him responsible for our actionsmore that a meteorologist can be responsiblefor cyclones and storms, if his forecasts cometrue. True forecasts are the result, not the cause,of the impending event. The Sunnis on the otherhand say that Allah is the Creator of all our acts."No act of any individual, even though it bedone purely for his benefit is independent ofthe Will of Allah for its existence; and theredoes not occur in either in physical or extra-terrestrial world the wink of an eye, the hint ofa thought, or the most sudden glance, exceptby the degree of Allah… of His power, desireand will. This includes evil and good, benefitand hurt, success and failure, sin and righteousness, obedience and disobedience, polytheismand belief." (al-Ghazali: as quoted in Shia ofIndia, p.43)

Chapter 10

PROPHETHOOD

Based upon their belief of lutf (Grace),the Shi'ahs believe that it is incumbent upon Allah to send prophets or their successors inthis world to put people on right path. The Sunnis say that it is not incumbent upon Allah,because they do not accept necessity of lutf.

The Shi'ahs and Sunnis in first instance,and then the Sunnis among themselves, disagree about the theory of 'ismah (sinlessness) of the prophets.

Sinlessness:

What is our conception of `ismah ? It is lutf( Grace) of Allah which helps a person to refrainfrom sins, without. effecting in any way his willand power. A ma`sum (sinless) person has powerto commit sins; but he does not even thinkabout sins because his spiritual standard is sohigh that such inferior things do not enter hismind.

The Sunnis do not speak with one voice upon this subject: They first differ about the point when `ismah begins. Some say it is afterthe declaration of prophethood; others say thatit is since childhood.

Second Difference: Scope of `ismah before declaration of prophethood: Some say that it covers all sins; majority say that they are protected from kufr (infedility) only.

Third Difference: Scope of 'ismah after declaration of prophethood; it is agreed that the prophets could not tell a lie after prophethood. But what about other sins? Some say that they could commit other sins either intentionally or unintentionally; but the majoritysay that they could commit it unintentionally,but not intentionally.

Fourth Difference: About minor sins:They say it was possible for the prophets to commit minor sins, even intentionally. But that they were protected from such minor sins which mighthave degraded them in the esteem of people.

The Shi'ah Ithna 'asharis' stand about'ismah is that all the prophets were sinlessand infallible; they could not commit any sin,whether capital or minor, and whether intentionally or unintentionally; and that they werema'sum from the beginning of their life tilltheir last breath.

The Prophets:

ash-Shaykh as-Saduq says about prophets that

"Their word is the word of God, theirorder is the order of God, their forbiding is theforbiding by God … And that the Chiefs ofthe prophets are five - and they are (called)"ulul `azm " - and they are Noah, Abraham,Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (be blessingsof Allah upon them all) and that Muhammadis their Chief and best of all." (al-I'tigadat)

Imams:

The Shi'ahs say that Imam must be appointed by God; that appointment - may beknown through the declaration of the Prophetor the preceeding Imam.

The Sunnis say that Imam (or Caliph, asthey prefer to say) can be either elected, or nominated by the preceeding caliph, or selectedby a committee, or may acquire power througha military coup. If he is elected, it is enough thatone man should do bay`ah (allegiance) to him.The Shi'ahs say: That Imam must be ma'sum(sinless).

The Sunnis say (including Mu'tazilites)that 'ismah is not a condition for caliphate.Even if he is tyrant and sunk in sins, Hanbalites,Shafi'ites and Malikites forbid people to rise against that caliph. They say that they should persevere.

The Shi'ahs say that Imam must possessabove all such qualities as knowledge, bravery,justice, wisdom, piety, love of God etc. The Sunnis say it is not necessary. A person inferiorin these qualities may be elected in preference to a person having all these qualities of superior degree.

The Shi'ahs say that `Ali was appointed by Allah to be the successor of the Prophet, and that the Prophet declared it on several occasions.

The Sunnis say that the Prophet did not appoint anybody to be his successor.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - INTRODUCTION

Chapter 2 - PERSON OF GOD

Chapter 3 - CAN ALLAH BE SEEN?

Chapter 4 - ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH

Chapter 5 - PLACE OF REASON IN RELIGION

Chapter 6 - LUTF: GRACE

Chapter 7 - GOD'S PROMISES

Chapter 8 - WHY BELIEVE IN GOD

Chapter 9 - LIMIT OF LAW

OUR ACTIONS: TAQDIR

Chapter 10 - PROPHETHOOD

Sinlessness:

The Prophets:

Imams: