Few Shia actually realize that the term “shia” is used in the Quran in multiple places, and almost every single time in a negative light.
The Quran declares:
“As for those who divide their religion and break up into shias (sects), you have no part in them in the least: their affair is with Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did.” (Quran, 6:159)
The transliteration of the Arabic reads:
Inna allatheena farraqoo deenahum wakanoo shia’ an lasta minhum fee shay-in innama amruhum ila Allahi thumma yunabbi-ohum bima kanoo yafAAaloona
Shia means “sect” and all sects are forbidden in Islam based on this verse as well as many other verses:
“…and be not amongst those who join gods with Allah, those who split up their Religion, and become shias (sects) - each party rejoicing in that which is with itself.” (Quran, 30:31-32)
The transliteration reads:
Muneebeena ilayhi waittaqoohu waaqeemoo alssalata wala takoonoo mina almushrikeena. Mina allatheena farraqoo deenahum wakanoo shia an kullu hizbin bima ladayhim farihoona
“Then shall We certainly drag out from every shia (sect) all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious.” (Quran, 19:69)
The transliteration reads:
Thumma lananziAAanna min kulli shia tin ayyuhum ashaddu AAala alrrahmani AAitiyyan.
“Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into shias (sects) … for he was indeed a maker of mischief.” (Quran, 28:4)
The transliteration reads:
Inna firAAawna AAala fee al-ardi wajaAAala ahlaha shia an yastadAAifu ta-ifatan minhum yuthabbihu abnaahum wayastahyee nisaahum innahu kana mina almufsideena
The common theme in Islam is that sectarianism and the creation of sects is Haram (forbidden):
“[Ironically] they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves.” (Quran, 42:14)
We learn from the Quran (the verses cited above) that dividing religion into sects is akin to joining partners with Allah, an unforgivable sin. The reason that creating a religious sect is considered associating partners with Allah is because it is playing the role of Allah since Allah alone has the right to create a Deen (faith). These people who create sects are trying to take over this role of Allah and put themselves on par with Him.
It does not matter what a person calls his or her sect–it is not authorized by Allah. Allah condemns all sects, and those who break away from the main group. This is exactly what the Shia have done. They have broken into many small sects; in fact, there are dozens upon dozens of various branches of Shi’ism, all of which follow a different line of Imams. The Ithna Ashari sect only recently emerged. The doctrine of Ithna Ashari Shi’ism, in particular the concept of Imamah, was not even fully elaborated until the tenth century. The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) was not consulted.
We must reject all sects all of which were created years after the death of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) which were for the most part created for mere political gain. Each of these sects created new Bidah (innovations) in the Deen of Islam and adultered it with false practises.
The Quran warns us not to be “shia” again and again. And yet, so many Shia will refuse to follow the commandment of Allah, and instead choose to close their eyes to these verses. Indeed, it is almost as if Allah Almighty could send an angel down to these stubborn Shia and command “do not be Shia” but these Shia will always justify themselves: “Surely, they aren’t talking about us.” What more evidence does one need not to be a Shia than the Quran repeatedly warning not to become Shia?
We must follow only “Allah and His Messenger.” We have the Speech of Allah in the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) as our Sunnah. We must base all our laws on these two sources, not the sayings of the Imams or anyone else. This entire concept of Imamah has facilitated sectarianism within Islam.
The Nahjul Balagha is one of the most important books of the Shia, which they claim are the letters and sermons of Ali (رضّى الله عنه). In that book, we find Ali (رضّى الله عنه) delivering the following speech:
Nahjul Balagha, Sermon 126:
“With regard to me, two categories of people will be ruined, namely he who loves me too much and the love takes him away from rightfulness, and he who hates me too much and the hatred takes him away from rightfulness. The best man with regard to me is he who is on the middle course. So be with him and be with the great majority of Muslims because Allah’s hand of protection is on keeping unity. You should beware of division because the one isolated from the group is a prey to Satan just as the one isolated from the flock of sheep is a prey to the wolf. Beware! Whoever calls to this course [of sectarianism], kill him, even though he may be under this headband of mine.”
(Source: Al-Islam.org, http://www.al-islam.org/nahjul/126.htm)
Based on this, we know that a Muslim must stick with the main group of Muslims (i.e. the Jama’ah) and not break away by joining the small sects. Could it be any clearer than this? The “great majority of Muslims” belong to the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah. This is not a sect, but rather this is the main group (Jama’ah). Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah functionally translates to “orthodoxy of the Muslims” and it is merely a term used to differentiate the main group from the smaller sects that have broken away after the death of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم).
We must destroy all false beliefs that were added into Islam after the death of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم). We must be of the Muwahiddoon (the Unitarians of Islamic faith), who are the rejectors of sects. Allah Almighty says in the Quran: “This Day I have perfected your Deen for you and chosen Al-Islam to be your Deen.” (Quran, Surah Maidah) Nothing can be added or subtracted to Islam after this proclamation, and yet this is exactly what these various sects have done. Allah says in the Quran:
“And hold fast, all of you together, by the Rope of Allah and be not divided amongst yourselves.” (Quran)
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