The Sunni and Shi’a branches of Islam, despite sharing the same Qur'an and core tenets of faith, have significant theological differences. One of the most contentious issues is the Shi'a view of some of the Prophet Muhammad's Companions (Sahaba) and how that view has historically affected Sunni perceptions of Shiism.
Among some Sunni scholars and movements, Shi’ites—particularly certain Shi’a sects—have been labeled as disbelievers (kuffar). A common justification is that some Shi’a groups accuse prominent Companions of betrayal or apostasy, which Sunnis consider tantamount to rejecting the foundations of Islam. However, this view is not universally held, and many Sunni scholars have refrained from making such takfir (excommunication).
This article explores why some Sunnis have historically regarded Shi’ites as disbelievers based on their views of the Prophet’s Companions, and how this theological rift has evolved.
1. Who Are the Companions?
In Sunni Islam, the Sahaba (companions) of the Prophet Muhammad are revered as the best generation of Muslims. Their loyalty, sacrifices, and transmission of Islamic knowledge make them pivotal to the Sunni understanding of Islam.
Sunni theology generally holds that all of the Companions were upright and just, and criticizing them—especially the first four caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali)—is seen as an attack on Islam itself. The Qur'an praises the Prophet’s Companions in several verses, such as:
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves...” (Qur’an 48:29)
Thus, respect for the Sahaba is a doctrinal pillar in Sunni Islam.
2. Shi’a Perspective on the Companions
Shi’ism developed partly out of political and theological disagreements over who should lead the Muslim community after the Prophet’s death. While Sunnis accepted Abu Bakr as the first caliph, Shi’ites believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, was divinely appointed as his rightful successor.
This disagreement led to vastly different historical narratives:
-
Many Twelver Shi’ites believe that most of the Sahaba betrayed the Prophet’s instructions by not supporting Ali.
-
Some early Shi’a texts described key Companions—including Abu Bakr and Umar—in extremely negative terms, even accusing them of hypocrisy or usurpation.
-
Certain extremist Shi’a sects, such as the now-extinct Ghulat, went so far as to curse or anathematize many Companions.
However, not all Shi’a groups hold the same views. Today, mainstream Twelver Shi’ism (the dominant branch) respects some Companions, including Salman al-Farsi, Miqdad, and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, whom they believe remained loyal to Ali.
3. Why Some Sunnis View Shi’ites as Disbelievers
For many Sunni scholars, denying the uprightness of the Sahaba—or accusing them of betrayal or apostasy—is seen as denying part of the religion itself. This is particularly sensitive because:
-
The Qur’an and Hadith were transmitted through the Sahaba. If their trustworthiness is denied, it calls into question the authenticity of the religion itself.
-
Accusing major Companions like Abu Bakr and Umar—who played central roles in early Islamic history—of kufr (disbelief) is seen by some Sunnis as indirectly accusing the Prophet of poor judgment in choosing companions and leaders.
As a result, some Sunni theologians historically issued fatwas declaring certain Shi’a sects as disbelievers. For example:
-
Ibn Taymiyyah, a 14th-century Sunni scholar, harshly criticized extreme Shi’a sects and labeled them outside the fold of Islam.
-
The Wahhabi movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, under Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, viewed Shi’ism—especially practices like grave visitation and calling on the Imams—as idolatrous and heretical.
However, it’s important to understand that Sunni scholars are not unanimous in this takfir. Many distinguished scholars, including:
-
Imam al-Ghazali
-
Imam al-Shafi’i
-
Shah Waliullah Dehlawi
—opposed declaring Shi’ites as disbelievers. They argued that while Shi’a theology was misguided or even heretical, it did not always amount to outright kufr.
4. Differentiating Between Sects and Beliefs
Sunni scholars historically differentiated between:
-
Rafidah (extremist Shi’a sects): These groups curse the Companions, reject the Qur’an’s compilation, and sometimes hold esoteric beliefs about the Imams. They were more likely to be labeled kuffar.
-
Zaydi or moderate Twelvers: These groups express disagreement with some Companions but do not curse them or deny the Qur’an. Most Sunni scholars did not excommunicate these groups.
Today, mainstream Twelver Shi’ites (e.g. in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon) do not reject the Qur’an, believe in one God, accept Muhammad as the last prophet, and pray toward the Kaaba. These shared fundamentals lead many modern Sunni scholars to recognize them as Muslims, despite theological differences.
5. Modern Sunni and Shi’a Interactions
In the 20th and 21st centuries, efforts have been made to reduce sectarian takfir:
-
Al-Azhar University in Egypt, a major Sunni institution, under Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltut, issued a fatwa in the 1950s recognizing Twelver Shi’ism as a legitimate school of thought.
-
The Amman Message (2004), endorsed by over 200 leading scholars from across the Muslim world, affirmed that Shi’a (Twelvers and Zaydis) are part of Islam, and that takfir should not be issued lightly.
Still, political conflicts—like the Syrian civil war, the Saudi-Iran rivalry, and sectarian violence in Iraq—have exacerbated religious divisions. In these contexts, theological accusations such as labeling Shi’ites as disbelievers often serve political agendas more than genuine religious concerns.
6. A Call for Nuance and Respect
While it is true that some Sunnis have historically considered Shi’ites disbelievers because of their stance toward the Companions, it is equally true that:
-
This view is not universal.
-
Many modern Sunni scholars reject such sweeping generalizations.
-
Shi’ite theology itself is diverse, and not all Shi’ites curse or reject the Companions.
In a time when sectarian strife continues to cost lives, responsible scholarship and interfaith understanding are essential. Reducing complex theological disagreements to accusations of kufr only deepens the divide and distracts from the shared values at the heart of Islam.
Conclusion
The claim that Shi’ites are disbelievers in the eyes of Sunnis because they view some of the Prophet’s Companions as disbelievers is partially true from a historical and theological perspective—but only within specific contexts and sects. It does not represent a unified Sunni position, and many respected scholars have explicitly opposed blanket takfir of Shi’a Muslims.
Intra-Muslim theological disagreements, though significant, must be approached with nuance, historical literacy, and a commitment to peace and unity. Both Sunnis and Shi’ites affirm the oneness of God, the finality of prophethood, the truth of the Qur’an, and the importance of prayer, charity, and morality. These shared pillars offer a foundation for respectful dialogue—even amidst deep-rooted differences.
No comments:
Post a Comment