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Takfir of Shiites by Sunnis

Question

Do the four Sunni schools of thought consider Imami Shia to be disbelievers (kafir)?

In the thought of Sunni scholars, there are diverse views regarding Shia Muslims. Many of them consider Shia to be Muslims and have provided evidence in their works indicating their acceptance within the framework of Islam. For example, the inclusion of Shia narrators in Sunni hadith collections and the acceptance of their testimony in legal matters, which contrasts with the rejection of testimony from non-Muslims. According to these scholars, only the denial of the essentials of Islam leads to disbelief (kufr), and from this perspective, Shia are not considered disbelievers. In contemporary times, figures such as Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout have recognized Shia as a valid Islamic school of thought and permitted following their jurisprudence.

On the other hand, some Sunni groups consider Shia to be disbelievers and justify their takfir (declaration of disbelief) based on claims such as the Shia's alleged cursing of the Sahaba (companions of the Prophet), belief in the distortion of the Quran, and exaggeration (ghuluww). These claims have been extensively critiqued and refuted by Shia scholars. The divergence between these two views highlights the diversity of perspectives on Shia among Sunnis.

The Criterion for Disbelief (Kufr) in Sunni Thought

Sunni jurists believe that denying one of the essentials of Islam leads to disbelief and apostasy. Based on this criterion, Shia cannot be considered disbelievers according to Sunni schools, as they accept the fundamental principles of Islam, including Tawhid (monotheism), Prophethood, Resurrection, and the basic rulings of Islam. The differences between Shia and other schools pertain to matters that are not considered essentials of the faith, and denying them does not lead to apostasy.[1]

Imam Nawawi, a prominent Sunni scholar, emphasized in his commentary on Sahih Muslim that no Muslim is declared a disbeliever due to sin, and only the denial of one of the essentials of Islam leads to apostasy and disbelief.[2] Additionally, numerous narrations in Sunni sources affirm the protection of the life, property, and honor of those who believe in "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no god but Allah) and "Muhammad Rasul Allah" (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), prohibiting their declaration as disbelievers.[3]

The implicit acknowledgment of Shia as Muslims by early Sunni scholars is evident in their scholarly discussions, while contemporary works contain more explicit statements. For example, Jad al-Haqq, the Mufti and Minister of Awqaf of Egypt, and Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, both emphasized the Muslim identity of Shia.[4][5]

Recognition of Shia as Muslims Among Sunnis

According to Raghib al-Sarjani in his book "Al-Shia: Struggle or Misguidance?", many Sunni scholars believe that Twelver Shia are considered Muslims.[6] Numerous pieces of evidence in Sunni texts support this view:

Narration of Hadith from Shia Narrators: Sunni hadith scholars have included narrations from Shia narrators in their collections. Sunni biographical works also contain instances where a narrator is described as Shia while being acknowledged as reliable.[7] Acceptance of Shia Testimony: In Sunni jurisprudence, the testimony of non-Muslims is not accepted. However, scholars such as Abu Yusuf al-Qadi[8] and al-Shafi'i have accepted the testimony of Shia.[9] Al-Ash'ari's Recognition of Shia as Muslims: In his book "Maqalat al-Islamiyyin", al-Ash'ari refers to Shia as one of the Islamic groups.[10] Ibn Taymiyyah's View on Muslims with Innovations: In his book "Daqa'iq al-Tafsir", Ibn Taymiyyah acknowledges the role of Muslims with innovations, including the Rafidah (a term often used for Shia) and Jahmiyyah, in spreading Islam. He emphasizes that their status as Muslims, even if they hold innovations, is better than being disbelievers.[11]

Recognition of Shia as Muslims and Permissibility of Following Their Jurisprudence

Some Sunnis believe that Shia is one of the Islamic sects, and it is permissible to follow their jurisprudence. This view has gained prominence in contemporary times, with Sheikh Shaltout, a former head of Al-Azhar University and a founder of Dar al-Taqrib bayn al-Madhahib al-Islamiyya, being a leading proponent. He issued a fatwa stating: "The Ja'fari school, known as the Twelver Imami school, is a school that is permissible to follow in Sharia, just like the Sunni schools." This text was first published in the journal Risalat al-Islam, affiliated with Dar al-Taqrib in Egypt. The fatwa was issued on 17 Rabi' al-Awwal 1378 AH and published on 3 Muharram 1379 AH.[12]

Takfir of Shia

A third group among Sunnis considers Shia to be disbelievers. Some of these individuals declare Shia as disbelievers in absolute terms, without specifying particular individuals.[13] Most of those who declare Shia as disbelievers follow this approach. Salman al-Awdah, a Salafi scholar, states: "A group of scholars have ruled that Shia are not Muslims. However, this ruling does not mean declaring their leaders or individuals as disbelievers."[14] Another smaller group declares specific Shia individuals as disbelievers based on specific actions.[15] These individuals provide reasons for declaring Shia as disbelievers:[16]

Shia hold exaggerated beliefs about some created beings (the Shia Imams), equating them with God. Shia believe that the companions completely removed certain chapters of the Quran, such as Surah al-Nurayn and Surah al-Wilayah. Shia declare most of the Sahaba (companions of the Prophet) as disbelievers and insult them. Shia consider Sunnis to be disbelievers and impure, to the extent that when a Shia shakes hands with a Sunni, they purify their hands afterward. These arguments have been critiqued by Shia and some Sunni scholars, with various responses provided.[17]

  1. ↑ Rajabi, Hussein (2009). An Examination of the Fatwa of Takfir in the View of Islamic Schools. Tehran: Mash'ar Publishing. p. 27.
  2. ↑ Nawawi, Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf (1972). Sahih Muslim with Nawawi's Commentary. Vol. 1. Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi. p. 150.
  3. ↑ Nawawi, Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Sharaf (1972). Sahih Muslim with Nawawi's Commentary. Vol. 4. Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi. p. 1871.
  4. ↑ Jad al-Haqq, Ali (2008). Collected Fatwas. Vol. 2. Giza: Dar al-Faruq for Cultural Investments. pp. 82–85.
  5. ↑ Imara, Mohammad (2009). Landmarks of the Civilizational Project in the Thought of al-Banna. Cairo: Dar al-Salam. p. 73.
  6. ↑ Sarjani, Raghib (2011). Al-Shia: Struggle or Misguidance?. Cairo: Dar al-Kutub al-Misriyya. p. 138.
  7. ↑ Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Ahmad ibn Ali (1908). Tahdhib al-Tahdhib. Vol. 7. India: Matba'at Da'irat al-Ma'arif al-Nizamiyya. p. 337.
  8. ↑ al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Ahmad ibn Ali (N/A). Al-Kifaya fi 'Ilm al-Diraya. Medina: Al-Maktaba al-Ilmiyya. p. 126. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  9. ↑ al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Ahmad ibn Ali (N/A). Al-Kifaya fi 'Ilm al-Diraya. Medina: Al-Maktaba al-Ilmiyya. p. 120. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  10. ↑ al-Ash'ari, Ali ibn Ismail (1980). Maqalat al-Islamiyyin. Wiesbaden, Germany: Franz Steiner. p. 5.
  11. ↑ Ibn Taymiyyah (1984). Daqa'iq al-Tafsir. Vol. 2. Damascus: Mu'assasat al-Quran. p. 144.
  12. ↑ Salhab, Hassan (2008). Sheikh Mahmoud Shaltout: A Reading in the Experience of Reform and Islamic Unity. Beirut: N/A. p. 154.
  13. ↑ Ruhayli, Ibrahim ibn Amir (2008). Takfir and Its Regulations. N/A: Dar al-Imam Ahmad. p. 117.
  14. ↑ al-Awdah, Salman ibn Fahd (N/A). Lessons by Sheikh Salman al-Awdah. Vol. 43. N/A: N/A. p. 118. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |year= (help)CS1 maint: year (link)
  15. ↑ Ruhayli, Ibrahim ibn Amir (2008). Takfir and Its Regulations. N/A: Dar al-Imam Ahmad. p. 118.
  16. ↑ Falah Tafti, Mohammad Reza; Husseini, Seyyed Mohammad; Mo'meni, Abedin; Davarzani, Hussein (2019). "Non-Takfir of Shia from the Perspective of Sunni Schools". Comparative Jurisprudence (14): 61–82.
  17. ↑ Falah Tafti, Mohammad Reza; Husseini, Seyyed Mohammad; Mo'meni, Abedin; Davarzani, Hussein (2019). "Non-Takfir of Shia from the Perspective of Sunni Schools". Comparative Jurisprudence (14): 61–82.
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