The esteemed author, Doctor Nasir ibn ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Ali al Qaffari, has rendered an unparalleled service with his literary work originally titled Usul Mazhab al Shia, which is the most comprehensive study of Shi’ism to have been penned to date. The author examines integral elements of Shia doctrine, from its own sources, revealing its true nature. Even aspects which are simply glossed over in most instances has not escaped the eye of the author; leaving no aspect except that it is thoroughly examined and explained.
Another unique feature of the book is the even-tempered approach of the author, free from heated and scathing remarks usually found in sensitive discussions of this nature. The author simply presents the facts, followed thereafter (when required) with refutation from the Qur’an and Sunnah, all in a calm and collected manner with which he guides the reader towards the Path of Salvation.
A Comprehensive study of the Shia creed (Usul Mazhab al-Shia)
by: Doctor Nāṣir ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Qaffāri
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The Word ‘Shia’ in the Qur’an and its Meaning
The Word Shia in the Sunnah and the Meanings Implied
The Word Shia and its Meaning in the Books of the Ithna ‘Ashariyyah
The Word Shia in the Light of Islamic History
The Technical Meaning of the Word Shia
a. Defined by the Books of the Ithna ‘Ashariyyah
The First Definition
An Analysis of the First Definition
The Second Definition
An Analysis of the Second Definition
The Third Definition of the Word Shia
Other Definitions of the Word Shia
b. Definition of the Word Shia from the Books of the Isma’ili
c. Definition of the Word Shia from Other Sources
The Definition of Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari
An Analysis of the Definition
The Definition of Ibn Hazm
The Definition of al-Shahrastani
d. The Most Appropriate Definition
The Inception of the Shia and its Historical Roots
Views of the Shia Regarding Their Inception
The First View
An Analysis of this View
The Second View (of the Shia)
An Analysis of this View
The Third View
The Views of Non-Shia Regarding the Inception of Shi’ism
The First View
An Analysis of this View
The Second View
The Third View
The Fourth View
The Preferred View
The View that it has Jewish Roots
The View that Shi’ism is of Persian Origin
The View that Shi’ism is the Home of Old Asian Beliefs
The Preferred View Regarding the Origin of Shi’ism
The Titles of the Ithna ‘Ashariyyah Shia’s
Al-Shia:
Al-Imamiyyah
Al-Ithna al-’Ashariyyah
Al-Qat’iyyah
Ashab al-Intizar
Al-Rafidah
Al-Ja’fariyyah
Al-Khassah (the special ones)
The Sects of the Ithna ‘Ashariyyah
Section One – Their Beliefs Regarding the Sources of Islam
Chapter One – Their Beliefs Regarding the Glorious Qur’an
Discussion One – Their Belief Regarding the Qur’an as a Source of Proof
a. The Qur’an Cannot be a Proof Unless it is accompanied With the Opinion of the Imam
b. Their Belief that the Knowledge of the Qur’an and its Understanding is Confined to the Imams
Analysis and Criticism of this View
Analysis of the Texts
The First Text: Wherein it is Claimed that Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
Explained the Qur’an Only to ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu
The Second Text: Whoever Seeks the Knowledge of the Qur’an from
Anyone Besides ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu will be Destroyed
The Third Text
The Fourth Text
An Analysis of this View
An Analysis of this Belief
Discussion Two – Their Beliefs Regarding the Interpretation of the Qur’an
a) The Qur’an Has Inner Meanings which Contradict the Apparent Meaning
An Analysis of This View
b) Their Belief that Most of the Qur’an was Revealed Regarding them and Their Enemies
The Origin of These Interpretations, Their Roots and a Few Examples
A Few Examples of Shi’i Interpretations of the Verses of the Qur’an
A Few Examples of Shi’i Interpretations of the Verses of the Qur’an continued
Discussion Three – Do the Shia Believe that the Qur’an was Interpolated?
The Birth of this Doctrine – as Stated in the Books of the Ahl al-Sunnah
The Spread of this Belief Amongst Them – as Explained in the Books of the Ahl al-Sunnah
What Do the Shi’i Sources Have to Say on this Subject?
The Inception of this Lie — Taken Directly from the Books of the Shia
The Spread of this Lie in the Book of the Shia
The Contents of the Narrations on Alterations in the Book of the Shia
Do the Shia Circulate Among Themselves Secret Copies?
The “Copy of ‘Ali”
Do All Shia Believe in the Authenticity of these Narrations and Regard them to be Mutawatir?
Do those who Reject this Kufr (from the Shia) do so on Account of Taqiyyah?
Ibn Babawayh and His Rejection of that which is Attributed to His Sect
Al-Tusi and His Rejection of Tahrif
Al-Sharif al-Murtada and His Rejection Tahrif
Al-Tabarsi and his Rejection of Tahrif
Chapter Two
Their Beliefs Regarding the Sunnah (Ahadith)
The Beginning of the Compilation of Ahadith by the Shia
Types of Narrations – According to the Shia
Chapter Three
Their Beliefs Regarding Ijma’ (consensus of the Ummah)
Section Two – Their beliefs regarding the fundamentals of Islam:
Chapter One – Their belief regarding the Oneness of Allah as the Ilah (deity).
Discussion One – Interpreting the Verses of Tawhid to be a Reference to the Imams
Discussion Two – Wilayah is the Basis for the Acceptance of Deeds
Discussion Three – Their Belief that the Imams are the Intermediaries between Allah and the creation
Discussion Four – Their Belief That the Imam can Prohibit and Make Lawful What he Desires
Discussion Five – Their Belief That the Sand of Hussain’s Grave is a Cure for Every Sickness
Discussion Seven – Istikharah in ways That Resemble the Divination of the Days of Ignorance
Chapter Two – Their Beliefs Regarding the Oneness of Allah in Terms of Him Being the Rabb
Discussion One – Their belief that Rabb is their Imam
Discussion Two – Their Belief That This World and the Afterlife Both Belong to the Imam
Discussion Three – Attributing Cosmic Occurrences to the Imams
Discussion Four – A Divine Portion has Translocated into the Imams
Discussion Five – Their Belief That Days and Nights Secure Benefit and Cause Harm
Chapter Three – Their Belief Regarding Allah’s subhanahu wa ta ‘ala Names and Attributes
Discussion One – Tajsim (Anthropomorphism)
Discussion Two – Their Denial of the Attributes of Allah
Discussion Three – Describing their Imams with the Names and Attributes of Allah
Discussion Four – Interpolation in Order to Support Their Stance of Denial
Chapter Four – Their beliefs regarding Iman and its components.
Discussion One – Their view regarding iman, the promises, and warnings of Allah
Discussion Two – Their belief regarding the fundamentals of iman
Their belief regarding the fundamentals of Iman Part 2
Section Three – Their fundamental beliefs and principles which are confined to the Shia:
Chapter one – Imamah
The concept of Imamah according to the Shia and its inception
The Ruling regarding a Person who denies the Imamah of One of the Twelve Imams
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
The Doctrine of the Mahdi and Occultation
Evidence for the Occurrence of the Ghaybah
The Representation of the Hidden Mahdi
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
The Doctrine of Zuhur (Emergence)
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Section Four – The Contemporary Shia and Their Link with Their Predecessors
Chapter One
Relationship in the sources of Talaqqi (acquisition)
Chapter Two
Their Link with the Ancient Sects
Chapter Three
The Doctrinal Connection between the Early Scholars and the Contemporaries
Discussion One – 1 : The Belief of the Contemporaries Regarding the Book of Allah
The first perspective
The First Reaction: Outright denial of its existence in their books
The Second Reaction: Acknowledging its Existence and Attempting to Give a Plausible Explanation
The Third Reaction: Defiantly Proclaiming and Providing Evidence for it
The Second Angle/Perspective to the discussion:
The Viewpoint of the Contemporaries regarding Interpreting the Book of Allah
Discussion 2: The Sunnah according to the Contemporaries
Discussion 3: Consensus of the Ummah according to the contemporaries
Discussion 4: Their Belief regarding the Fundamentals of Din
Discussion 6: ‘Ismah (Infallibility)
Discussion 7: Raj’ah (the return)
Chapter Four
The Ideology of its Founder – Firstly: Polytheistic leanings
Fourthly: Extremism in Shia Belief
Fifthly: His view regarding the Comprehensive Authority of the Jurist
The Constitution of the State of the Scholars
Chapter Five
Their influence on the Muslim world
The Doctrinal and Ideological Sphere
The Second Discussion – The Ruling regarding their Kufr
The translation of this book is complete, Alhamdulillah.
The Pdf. file has also been updated.