Letter for the youth of the world

#Letter4U

A kindly letter from an Islamic leader to the youth of the world.

Shia primary and Secondary Principles

As I said in the Previous article, Three steps to become a shiite, there are two types of beliefs in theology of Shia Islam: primary and secondary principles. Primary principles like oneness of Allah and prophecy of Muhammd must be achieved with research while, in secondary principles like Salat and Fasting we must follow a religious expert (a Mujtahid) like Ayatollah Khamenei or Ayatollah Sistani or others.

The following picture shows primary (Osule Din) and secondary beliefs (Foru'e Din) of Shia Muslims.

Conversion To Shia Islam

Shia Islam is one of the two major sects of Islam and approximately 15 to 20% of Muslims are Shia. The split between Sunnis and Shias occurred following the Prophet Muhammad’s death. Sunnis believe holy Prophet, Muhammad (SAWA) chose no one to succeed him and Muslims themselves should choose their leaders after him, whereas Shias believe the prophet chose Ali (AS) in the event of Ghadir in his last journey to Hajj. 

Although there is a division within Islam, converting to Shia Islam involves almost the same process as Sunni Islam. Converting to Islam is easy than the conversion process for other religions. 

Three Steps to Become a Shia 

Step 1 

Recite the Shahadah and mean it in your heart. The Shahadah is the Islamic profession of faith:

“There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger and and Ali is the wali of God (Vicegerent of Muhammad)” 

It must be recited in Arabic form:

اَشهد آن لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله و اَنّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله و اَنّ علیّاً ولیّ الله

ash'hado allā ʾilāha ʾillā-llāh, va anna muhammadan rasūlu-llāh, wa anna ʿalīyyan walīyyu-llāh

Reciting these, you accept three fundamental beliefs of Shia. You must also believe in two others: Faireness of Allah and Resurrection.

Now, you officially become a Shia.

Every belief follows with some rules. Shia has its own rules that you must learn and practice it in your life.

Step 2

Obtain a Quran, the Islamic holy book. Quran is the word of God spoken directly to the prophet  Muhammad (SAWA). Read passages of the Quran for a better understanding of Islam. 

Step3

Learn about 10 Ancillaries of the Faith and perform them: 

• 1 Salāt (Prayer)
• 2 Sawm (Fast)
• 3 Hajj (Pilgrimage)
• 4 Zakāh (Charity)
• 5 Khums (One-fifth)
• 6 Jihād (Struggle against enemies of Islam in special conditions)
• 7 Amr-Bil-Ma'rūf (Commanding what is good)
• 8 Nahi-Anil-Munkar (Forbid what is evil)
• 9 Tawalla (Expressing love towards Good )
• 10 Tabarra (Expressing disassociation from Evil)

 In these topics you must follow the Fatwa's of a religion expert (Mujtahid or Grand Ayatollah) like Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatollah Sistani or others.

Ashura 2014 in Iran

In Muharram 2014, Supreme leader of Iran held some Majalis in his Husseiniye. In these meetings, some prominent Shia mullah speaks about Ashura uprising and scarifices of Imam Hussein and his companions. Then he talks about disasters imposed on Hussein (AS), his followers, women and daughters and people cry on these sorrows. After this, a Maddah sings some poetry and people mourn for Imam Hossein and his companions in Karbala. Typical Mourning in Iran is striking on chest with hands, known as SinehZani. Some other types of mourning like Tatbir (Self-mutilation, Flagellation or GhameZani) which may be seen in other countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and India are forbidden in Iran, due to the Fatwa of Imam Khamenei.

The following photos are taken in the day of Ashura 2014 in Beyte-Rahbari (Husseiniye of Imam Khomeini in Iran):