A Brief History of Shi’a Muslims

Ayatullah al-Uzma al-Hajj ash-Shaykh Nasir Makarim Shirazi
We believe that the Shi’a sect was founded in the lifetime of our prophet, and its name was taken out of his words and we have many clear reasons to prove that many commentators of the Qur’an believe the following verse refers to Imam ‘Ali(a.s) and his sectarians (Shi’a): "Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, are the best of creatures." (Holy Qur’an, 98:7)
Soyuti, the famous commentator has narrated in his Durul Mansur that Jabir said: "We were in presence of the prophet, when Imam ‘Ali(a.s) arrived there. As soon as the prophet saw him he said: ‘Upon him, to whose hands lays my life, ‘Ali and his Shi’a (sectarians) will have salvation on doomsday'. Then the prophet recited the above-mentioned verse. After that, whenever Imam ‘Ali(a.s) came to a gathering of the prophet, we used to say: `the best of god's creatures has come’." This tradition with a little difference is also narrated by Ibn Abbas, Abu Barza, Ibn Marduya, and Atiya Ofi.
Therefore the name ‘Shi’a’ was given to the lovers and followers of Imam ‘Ali(a.s) by the prophet himself and not by the Safavies dynasty as some with very low knowledge have said. We respect and esteem all the other Islamic sects, and stand in one line of prayer with them, and perform the rites of pilgrimage as they do, and cooperate with them in all common Islamic goals and fields. Yet as a Shi’a we do have some particularities which were noted by our prophet, and this is why we have chosen this school.

The Legacy of the Prophet's Household
The followers of this school (Shi’a) have so many traditions from the prophet which are conveyed through Imam ‘Ali (a.s) or other Imams. These have all been collected and classified, and form the main source of Shi’a’s religious jurisprudence. The most important books among the collections are four, and are known as Kutub al-Arba’a (Four Books). These are firstly, Kafi, secondly, Man la Yazaraul Faki, thirdly, Tazeeb and fourth of all, Estibsar. Not that, all the traditions found in these four books, or elsewhere are indisputably correct or acceptable.
Each tradition as we said, has a series of documents and narrators that are to be analyzed and confirmed. If all the documents and narrators prove to be right and trustworthy, then the tradition may be considered true and accepted. Such investigations about the traditions are the task of religious experts and scholars. Therefore the Shi’a's collected works in the field of tradition differs with that of the Ahlul Sunnah. The way Bokhari and other Sunni scholars such as Muslim approached such matters in their collected works differ from that of our authors.
Their criterion of right and wrong is only the author's distinction. So to understand the belief of a Sunni, it is enough to get access to their important tradition books, called ‘Sahih’. Contrary to that, Shi’a have collected all the traditions that they could; narrated by the Imams just to be investigated, judged, approved, and then be accepted for action. This is only to be undertaken by learned and trusted authorities and religious specialists.

The Two Important Books
Among the important sources of Shi’a, there are two very important books. The first one is known as Nahjul Balagha, a work collected by Sharif Razi a thousand years ago, consisting of the speeches, letters, and some quotations of Imam ‘Ali (a.s). The eloquence in the verses is so great and the meanings so deep, that it makes the work so strangely attractive to all sorts of minds! We wish not only the Muslims, but the non-Muslims too could be acquainted with this amazing book, in order to know what is to be known in the fields of monotheism, resurrection, ethics, social and political affairs.
The second important book is called Shahifa Sajadiya, a collection of the best and the most beautiful verses on prayers having the deepest meaning. It may teach us how to pray to the Lord and to purify our soul by that prayer. The whole book is the collection of many fervent prayers in the form of hymns, and narrated by our fourth Imam, ‘Ali Ibn Hussain (a.s), who is titled ‘Sajad’ (One who Often Bows to God).

The Last Word
Whatever we wrote in this collection is a summary of the opinion and belief of the followers of our prophet's household; i.e. the Shi’a sect of Islam. This is without any change or deviation, confirmed by Holy Qur’an and to a less extent by traditions. We aimed to write the subjects in brief and this, we did. It may be concluded here that this work:
1. Is a trustworthy reference that clearly presents the Shi’a belief and ideas. Here by all the other Muslims and non-Muslims many have access to firsthand information about the Shi’a.
2. This work can be reasoning for God, to those who judge us with inadequate information, or take their information about us, from doubtful persons or our enemies; or from books of no importance.
3. To study this work will show the reader that the difference between Shi’a and other Islamic sects is not that much to prevent us from peacefully living together, and cooperating in important fields and affairs. Common aspects of our belief are many, our enemies are also common too.
4. We believe that some mysterious hands are working hard to separate us, and to create disputes and hatred among Muslims, to kindle the fire of enmities! These mysterious hands do not want, Islam to play its vital role after the smash of communism, and to fill the vacancies of materialism. Muslims should not leave their enemies unattended so that they may succeed their impure goals. There now exists a good opportunity for us to present Islam to the world, as it really is.
5. We believe that if all the scholars and the leading men of all sects sit at a round table to discuss the problems sincerely, with pure hearts and far from fanaticism and obstinacy; they will surely solve all the problems they have, and the differences would be reduced if not entirely erased.
Such a meeting was recently held in Zahidan. Shi’a and Sunnis sat at a round table. They had several sincere meetings and as a result came to an end to most of their differences. To end, I pray to our Lord and say: "Our lord! Forgive us and our brothers who embraced the faith before us, and leave not in our hearts any malice (hatred) towards the faithful. You are compassionate and merciful." (Holy Qur’an, 59:10)