Who are the Shia?
By Louai
The word Shia simply means a party, group, or follower of someone. The Quran helps define this word when used in Chapter 37 verse 83,” وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِيمَ—And indeed, among his kind( شِيعَتِهِ) was Abraham.” Allah highlights that the word Shia has special purposes. Allah could have used another word. This ayah shows that Ibrahim was a Shia of Nuh. Or a follower of Nuh. Allah wanted to highlight that he chose Prophet Noah to guide us and we can use Noah to create a connection back to Allah. In the technical sense, the Shia of Ali started before the death of the Prophet and during his lifetime. Someone once asked the Prophet a question in regards to Chapter 98 verse 7 which says, “Indeed, they who have believed and done righteous deeds – those are the best of creatures.” He asked who Allah was referring to when he said “best of creatures.” The prophet responded and said Ali and his Shia.
Imam Jafar al Sadiq(as) says, “If you were to pray the size of mount Uhud, without the wilya of Ali it wouldn’t be accepted.” Throughout the Quran and Ahadith, Allah wanted to highlight to us that you can use prophets to get closer to him; you can use messengers to get closer to him. And in the same way, you use Imam Ali as a connection to Allah. In other words, we use Imam Ali as a wasila to God. Imam Ali used to tell the people ”ask me, ask me before you lose me.” This highlights his dedication towards his Shia and the religion of Islam. We do not raise Imam Ali above the Prophet. We actually follow Imam Ali to expand and know even more about our prophet! Many verses expand on these ideas. For example, in Chapter 5 verse 35– “O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard in His way that you may be successful.”
The means of nearness are Ali and Muhammad. Allah expects you to go out and find the people who will get you closer to him!
‘Wassalam
