SHIA The Misunderstood Islam - By: Sheihu Dalhu Abdul Mumin

Author's Note:

As a matter of fact, by the mercy of Allah, the Almighty on me, I personally made a move for the needed change by travelling to the Holy City of Qum in the Islamic Republic of Iran. There, I studied Islamic Sciences in a very broad and wider scope under great learned and God fearing Islamic Scholars. I got to know that a lot of wrong, false and baseless accusations were directed to the Shia Sect as a result of compound ignorance. Indeed, there are a lot of highly misunderstood Islamic concepts against the Shia Muslims by the Sunni Muslims which when studied from the Shia authentic sources and the Sunni authentic sources will leave no alternative or reservation apart from accepting the Shia concepts as the pure and original Islam.
During my studies in the Islamic Republic of Iran, I got the real practical application of the verse of the Holy Qur’an (2:256) that - “There is no compulsion in religion”. I was in Iran an Islamic country with 95% of the Muslim population as Shia. I was practicing my faith as a Sunni Muslim with many other Sunni students as well from all over the world with total freedom in our worship according to our then Sunni Concepts. We had total freedom and access to both the Sunni and Shia books for serious studies, research and references. This is my personal and practical experiences that led me to the understanding that, the negative message given out by some Ahlul-Sunnah wal Jama’at (Wahabiyah)clerics about Shia Islam, are false, baseless and signs of shear ignorance of the truth.We need therefore, for seeking the truth, to go to the authentic Shia sources themselves through their Books and their Clerics and not the sources of their enemies who do not really have the correct knowledge of the Shia Islam.
I therefore found it absolutely necessary and a divine responsibility to explain the facts and truth about the Shia Islam to all those who want to know the truth. There are several dimensions and areas of discussions of interest to seekers of the truth about Shia.
However, in my experience as a Shia cleric, many serious students and concerned intellectuals have been contacting us with a lot of questions from the misconceptions received from some Ahlul-Sunnah wal Jama’at (Wahabiyah) clerics and their books about Shia. I therefore deem it obligatory to tackle this subject in the form of a Book answering some of these misconceptions for wider benefits to all seekers of the truth.
I know in the course of reading this Book, you might be facing some mixed reactions as a result of the convincing facts that you might be reading for the first time about Shia Islam contrary to your preconceptions. You might be excited or even surprised about the reality before you. However, all is to encourage you to read more in a diversified and broader manner about Islam at large. Do not be angry, have patience to compare facts, references and contrast for the best and unavoidable conclusion It is my humble wish and hope that this Book in “ THE MISUNDERSTOOD ISLAM” which is referring to the Shia of the 12Imams, will add up to the several great Books written by learned Shia clerics with the sole aim of bridging the gap between the Shia Muslims and the Sunni Muslims by way of providing more information and education about the Ahlul-Bait (AS).
We are brothers of the same faith (Islam) with diversified views. Indeed, as Muslims what brings us together are by far greater than what divides us. We are brothers to one another.
Allah, the Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an (21:92): “Verily, this Ummah of yours is one Ummah and I am your Lord therefore worship me”.“And hold fast to the Cord of Allah together and do not be divided” (Qur’an, 3:103).
May Allah, the most Merciful crown our humble efforts with ultimate success and bless us all with the blessings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the Infallible Ahlul-Bait (AS).

SHEIHU DALHU ABDUL-MUMIN
(Chief of Zango, Tamale)