Okay before I begin let me say that please do not turn this into an argument and let’s respect all opinions. Apologies if this has been discussed before.
My question is that do you think it is okay for non-shias to attend shia majlises during Muharaam, Safar and the other months? As a shia, do you mind sunnis attending them or are you welcoming?
My mom and I have many very close Shia friends and we do attend their majlises if we have time. The lectures are always good. We however, do not participate in the matam and move to the back of the hall. I also attended Eid-e-Ghadeer’s milad and Shaam-e-Ghariban this year.
My friends say that they are okay with non-shias attending them and are in fact welcoming. Apparently, in Pakistan every one is welcome to attend. Is this true?
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
I've never been to one, but as far as I know, majlis are just lectures about Islam. I don't think they are intended for only Shia. Just like how Masjids don't shut their doors for anyone... Even non-Muslims.
As long as the intention is to learn about religion and not anything malicious, I don't see why it would be an issue.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
See, if Shias are welcoming you, then it means there is noting malicious in their hearts against anyone or sunnis (like a common misconception that in their Majaalis, they curse sahabas and all that crap), and the gathering is purely to remember the life and death of Imam Hassan and his companions. I really dont see anything wrong with that.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
All are welcome even non-muslim/pakistani
" Apparently, in Pakistan every one is welcome to attend. Is this true?"
Yes but depending on different regions, some might feel uncomfortable due to security issues as they will be closely observed but its usually on the men side and in volatile areas
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
no, i do not subscribe to their madhab so i will never ever go to such events...i do NOT wish to listen to things that are contrary to my beliefs...it's better to stay away.
if it's purely a social event...[other than maatamii majaalis], i will NOT have any problem at all as long as i do NOT have to hear anything against my beliefs.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
^ you can still go to eat niaz/tabarruk etc after the speech ...
Some people do that ..
no...i do NOT believe in niaz or tabarruk etc. prasad bhii miltaa thaa iNdia men magar maiN ne kabhii haath tak nahiiN lagaayaa.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
hmm true. a lot of times the majlis lecture topic will be on good issues such as bringing up children, modernization, hijab- every thing under the sun and related to islam :) then, the topic goes to the events that happened in Karbala etc (which i also listen to respectfully)
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
All are welcome even non-muslim/pakistani
" Apparently, in Pakistan every one is welcome to attend. Is this true?"
Yes but depending on different regions, some might feel uncomfortable due to security issues as they will be closely observed but its usually on the men side and in volatile areas
you may be right. i think people in pakistan be may be more conscious of non shias attending because of security reasons. here the shias are not as the community is pretty small.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
Lectures are social events…? Even if it is considered a social event, if you congregate to discuss your religion, isn’t it worth it?
“The Prophet (SAW) as saying Allah (SWT) has mobile (squads) of angels, who have no other work to attend to but to follow the assemblies of Dhikr and when they find such assemblies in which there is Dhikr (of Allah (SWT)) they sit in them and some of them surround the others with their wings till the space between them and the sky of the world is fully covered…” Source.
Shias are also Muslims, let’s not forget that. They believe in the same stories as Sunnis. They lecture and teach about the same events/ people/ etc.
I’m really curious, exactly what do you think they talk about that is “contrary to your belief”?
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
I think we all are Muslim first and then belong to any other firqa/fiqqah. Apart from knowing the reality, we have been given common sense to differentiate between what is right and what is wrong. I don't think there is anything wrong about attending Majalis. I would just make sure that the incidents discussed there are true (if any of them makes me doubtful).
A shia's majlis to me is as same as any other Islamic Lecture given somewhere else. If any thing that keeps me in doubt, now whether discussed in a Shia Majlis or Islamic Lecture related to anyother firqa, I will make sure to search for the truth and would try to find it under the light of authentic Ahadiths and Quran Pak.
… wow.
since Kkf still hasn’t responded to my question, I’m hoping you can shed some light.
With out getting disrespectful, would you please explain where you heard/ learned the things you stated above? I’ve never been exposed to any of the above, except the difference in prayer. And the only difference is that they pray with their arms to their sides, as opposed to how the Sunni’s pray, with their arms crossed infront of them.
Again, since they are also Muslims:
1 - How are their beliefs different?
2 - What are the differences in their kalima, adhaan, and wudu?
3- and if you can find a source of where Hazrat Ali (R.A.) is labled as the first caliph, that’d be appreciated as well.
I’m not trying to point fingers or raise questions for the sake of argument. I’m genuinely curious. I’ve never heard of such differences.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
Being a sunni who went to Habib Public school and listen to the lectures given to us by ulema (shia) I do believe they are different than going to a jumma prayer khutba. I almost converted because of the authority that the shia ulema have over Quran. They dont talk more than a sentence without bringing in a reference from Quran.
Re: Non-Shias attending Shia majlises/milad- is it ok?
MM prince is right. I have heard it too.
Beliefs different, they have some misconceptions about the rest of the three caliphs. I have heard an incident from a Shia friend of mine and that drove me completely crazy. I wouldn’t share the incident here but it disrespected one of the Caliphs.
Don’t know about adhaan and wudu, but kalima, yes, it just doesn’t end on Rasool Allah but it continues to Ali-un-wali-ullah. I know because I have had a lot of shia friends.
Also I might not be able to provide you a source but I guess their famous book Najhal-ul-Balagah is something you can get some clues from. Still, I haven’t read this book but it is known to be really famous among Shias. Yes, they strongly believe that Hazrat Ali R.A had to be the first caliph.
I am sure your dear grandmother appreciated this noble gesture by her best friends.
What was the response of your dear grandmother? Did she reciprocate the noble gesture by her best friends by accompanying them to Taraweeh prayers?
I am sure this gesture would have been appreciated by her best friends. (I am sure she did - she would not let her best friends down, would she?)
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That is not a relevant question per this thread. The question is if we think that his grandmother’s Sunni friend are still considered Sunni after attending those majaalis? What you say ibn sadique?
