['Aalim Network QR] Imam Ali in the Kalima

[abbas@dircon.co.uk (Abbas Jaffer)]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salamun Alaykum,

The following question was kindly answered by Br Shaun Astarabadi.

Regards

Abbas Jaffer
Acting Moderator - Aalim Network

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Question:
 
I am a freshman student member of the MSA chapter at California State
University, Fullerton. Just today, I was asked by a Sunni brother, why we
shias have 2 extra lines in our kalama. Unfortunately, I didn't have a
legitimate answer to this question. But before we attempt to answer it,
please read on and let me explain how this question came about.

As a university requirement, one must take 2 World Civilization class. I am
in the 1st course right now. And at the moment we are studying Islam. I went
through our book, and found numerous flaws. I reported this to our
MSA, and they advised me to sit down with one of my class mates and
collaborate a list of flaws and present it to the professor so that she may
correct it during her lecture. We did just that, and Wednesday Nov 6th
lecture, was so good. The Professor praised Islam, and cleared all the
misconceptions of this magnificent religion. Tomorrow she will speak upon a
touchy subject; the separation of Shia and Sunni. So my classmate, whose
name is Haaya, and I got together today to exchange points of view so that
we may correct the professor. She is a Sunni. We professionally exchanged
our views and history (our goals is to show that there is no seperation
between Sunnis and Shias, they are brothers and sisters. What difference is
among them is political and that does not reflect in any sort of
discrimination against each other). In the process, the VP of MSA, Irfan,
gave his input. He then asked me to explain to him why Shias added two lines
to the Kalama. He noted that the Qur'an states "la illaha il lallah,
Muhammed dun Rasullulah" in context ( not exact words but it does state it,
which is true of course). Now I am unaware if anything about imam ali stated
in the Qur'an. And I would like to know if its stated. In actuality I would
like to know why and when the two lines to our kalama were added. I
know this is a very touchy subject, and with no means did the brother mean
harm. But in order to defend my faith, I would like to answer him with the
best and most knowledgeable way, accordingly I seek your help. If
references can be provided, they will be truly wholesome and beneficial. 

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Answer:

Since I don't know exactly what is meant here by the "two lines to our
kalama", I will assume you mean "Ashhadu anna 'Alian waliyul Allah", which
is optionally said in adhan.

The proof is in Surat al-Maeda [5:55].

  "Innama WALIYUKUM Allah wa rasuluhu wa allatheena amanu: allatheena 
   yuqeemuna al salata wa ya'toona al zakata wa hum raki'uoon."

By Mir Ahmad Ali translation:

  "Verily, verily, your guardian is (none else but) God and His Apostle 
  (Muhammad) and those who believe: those who establish prayer and pay the 
  poor-rate, while they be (even) bowing down (in prayer)."

Yusuf Ali's weaker translation:

  "Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, his apostle, and the
  (fellowship of) believers, those who establish regular prayers and
  regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship)."

The aya clearly instruct Muslims to follow three entities for guidence and
authority: (1) Allah (awj); (2) Mohammad (sawaws); and (3) Ali bin abi Talib
(as).  As he (Ali) was the one whom this holy aya was revealed about, when
he was praying and gave his ring as zakat to beggar while in the state of ruku'.

Consult any expanded multi-volume Sunni tafseer (commentary) for this aya
and you will find that this aya was revealed in none but Ameerul Moemineen
Ali bin Abi Tablib (as).  Therefore, we say "Ali Wali Allah" per Allah's
definition.

The following aya is also related, [5:56], it expands on why:

  "Whoever taketh as his guardian, God and His Apostle and those who believe, 
  verily, (he hath joined) God's battalion; They are those that shall (always) 
  by triumphant."

Allahumma Salli 'ala Muhammad wa aali Muhammad wa Sallim Tasleeman Katheera.

abu-Yousif