Why do shi'a Muslims even exist?

Question

There whole thing is based on a political division after Muhammad (s) death. How did they become their own doctrine of Islam?

Why do they beat themselves bloody on Ashoura if doing such acts are specifically haram?

I mean the "identity" of Shi'a Muslims. Shouldn't Muslims just be Muslims?

Also, what is up with cursing the wives and companions of Muhammad (s)? That is so wrong!

Answer 1

Yes politics and religion should not always mix, as is this case here. The whole beating thing is totally haram and only extreme shi'as do that (although there seem to be a lot of those)

Answer 2

You SHOULD be asking why Shiia AND Sunni Muslims exist...Muslims should be Muslims.
Yes, SOME Shiias take it overboard with the swords and whips, but there are PLENTY of Shiia Muslims that still Practice Ashoora and Respect what happened in a proper way.
The Sunnis were the ones that started this division in the first place...They should NEVER have killed the man that Prophet Mohammed said should be followed after him...That was Haram.

Answer 3

Good questions. It is a political division more than a religious one, but through time Shia Islam took a life of it's own.

Shi'as comprise less that 10% of Muslims, so they are truly in the minority.

As a Sunni Muslim, I don't agree with their Ashoura rituals, but this is more a tradition or cultural byproduct than a religious one. Unfortunately, it does not portray mainstream Islamic views, but this is what is continually displayed in magazines and media outlets, which tend to mislead people about the relationship of these harsh rituals to 90% of the world Muslims.

Most Muslims don't parade in the streets and bloody their backs and heads by flogging themselves with chains...I agree with you, it should be classified as "makruh" first...

Answer 4

1. Shi'ah means party. Originally they were called Shi'at Ali (Party of 'Ali). Before Muhammad's death, He appointed 'Ali as His successor. This appointment was verbal, not written. As a result, the most powerful members of the community, led by Umar, chose a political appointee as the first "caliph". In this sense, Umar broke the covenant which Muhammad had established. Shi'ahs are those who remained faithful to Muhammad's own chosen successor and His descendants. These successors are known as the "Twelve Imams", who were infallible interpreters of the Qur'an and the rightful spiritual leaders of Islam.

2. The same reason Christian penitents in the Middle Ages beat themselves. It is a result of religious fanaticism.

Answer 5

Haha I agree. The Shia beat themselves becasue they didn't help a descendant of Muahmmad(PBUH*) from getting killed in war so that's why they hit themselves. Also yes all Muslims no matter Sunni or Shia should just be Muslim as the Prophet(PBUH*) ordered Muslims not to divide themselves into sects like the Christians and Jews. I'm just a Muslim.

Answer 6

They have different theological beliefs and not all of them beat themselves with sticks. It's like saying all Sufis spin around, you can't generalise! I'm a Sunni and I've met some Shia who are really nice.

After the death of Muhammad(AS) they believed that Ali should've been the rightful leader and they felt like Muhammad's family were put to one side.

Now theologically, they believe that Qur'anic knowledge from Ulama should take precedent, ergo rather than the basic Sunnah/hadith they follow acumen from imams.

Answer 7

Similar to Catholics and Protestants i guess.
Iraq at the moment is like Northern Ireland with the two religious groups killing each other for no reason and an occupying force trying to keep the peace but caught in the crossfire.

Answer 8

They hold that Ali was the rightful heir, I believe, and mourn his death during Ashoura by self-flagellation. They hold only the those born of Fatima to be the rightful leaders, not the caliphs.

Answer 9

Just because Catholics or Anglican exist.

Yes it is all political. They don't consider getting bloody on Ashura as haram.

Answer 10

It is because unfortunately they haven't listened to what Profit Mohamed (pbuh) said and then they decided to divide themselves into groups, like the Christians. Profit Mohamed (pbuh) said don't split yourselves into groups, but unfortunately they did.