Assalaam u 'Alaikum
I intend to make the position of mainstream Islam on Yemeni Shias clear.
** The Yemeni Shias (known as Zaydi Shias) are regarded as Muslims, ** and have very little difference from mainstream Islam.
I don’t expect any Yemeni Shia to visit this forum, but in case someone has, then I offer my apologies. Generally, when I use the term “Shia”, I refer to the Rafidi Shias (they include the Ithna 'Ashari - like most of the Paki/Iranian Shias), and ** NOT ** the Yemeni Shias.
** Yemeni Shias (Zaydis) are Muslims ** and are not very different from Mainstream Islam.
Some shia at the time of the Alid Imam Zayd ibn 'Ali demanded that he make a declaration of innocence (tabarra) from whoever disagreed with 'Ali’s right to be Imam. When Zayd refused, they rejected him, and became known as the “raafida” or rejectors. Those who followed Imam Zayd became known as Zaydis, and have very little difference from mainstream Islam. The Raafidi evolved into the the various Imami shia sects, the largest of which is the Ithna 'Ashari.
** The Zaydi Shia hold no real differences of aqeedah, ** but only the political position that the Caliph should be from the descendants of 'Ali.
The Zaydis believe that Ali was the superior Imam than say Abu Bakr and Umar and Uthman and believe that Ali should have been first ** but accept the khalifite of the three others. **
The Zaydis do differ as far as “rulership” in regards to the imamat. They also differ in fiqh, and one of the major things you’ll notice is that they pray with their hands to their sides.
The other Shia sects do not look upon favorably on the Zaydis. ** The 12er shia ** do not accept zaydis as shia, and actually place them among the sunnis ** in their classification. And ** other shia sects ** have from early on ** labeled ** the Zaydi as ** Rafidi !!! ** However, ** mainstream Islam, ** does not regard them as Rafidi, and ** accepts them as Muslims. **
Also, the ** Yemeni (Zaydi) Shias ** do ** NOT curse ** the Sahaaba or the Mother of the Believers, Hadhrat 'Aishah (R). When the name of the Noble Companions of the Holy Prophet (S) such as Hadhrat Abu Bakr (R) or Hadhrat 'Umar (R) is mentioned, the ** Yemeni Shias say "Radiallahu 'Anhu " (May Allah be Pleased with him). ** Likewise, when the name of the Mother of Believers, ** Hadhrat 'Aishah (R) ** , the ** Yemeni Shias ** say ** "Radiallahu 'Anhaa " ** (May Allah be pleased with her ).
Also, the ** Yemeni (Zaydi) Shias pray ALONG ** with the ** mainstream Muslims **.
And, I do ** NOT ** see the ** Yemeni (Zaydi) ** Shias trying to ** DIVIDE ** the ** Mainstream Muslims. ** After having talked to my Yemeni friends, and read a little about them, they apparently, are ** NOT ** filled with ** HATE ** for the ** Mainstream Muslims. **
So, the point is that the ** Yemeni (Zaydi) Shias ARE Muslims **, and are ** different ** from the ** Rafidi Shias. ** And, generally, whenever I refer to “Shias” in my posts, I refer to the Rafidi Shias, and NOT the Yemeni (Zaydi) Shias.