WHY IS IT THAT SHIA, DESPITE BEING RIGHT, ARE IN THE MINORITY?

[Taqavi]

 

Why is it that the Shia, despite being right, are in the minority?

 

The number of followers of a religion or faith can never be a measure of its legitimacy. Allah, in many cases, praises and exalts minorities and condemns majorities. For example, in the Quran it is stated: "They did not believe with him except a few"[1] or "Only a few of His servants are grateful"[2] and in another place it says: "If you follow the majority of people on earth, they will lead you astray from the path of God"[3] and again in another place it says: "Even if you strive, most people will not believe".[4] Based on this, it cannot be said that being in the majority causes to legitimacy or rightness.

It is on this basis that Imam Ali (a.s.), during the Battle of Camel, responded to a person who asked, "How is it possible that these important and well-known individuals be on the side of falsehood?"  He said: "Truth and falsehood cannot be recognized by the personality of individuals. Recognize the truth, then you will recognize its followers. Recognize falsehood, then you will recognize its followers."[5] According to this criterion, the larger number of followers of a group cannot be a sign of their legitimacy or rightness.

But in response to the question, why are Shiites in the minority? In principle, it should be noted that throughout history, the Shia have been viewed as opposing the ruling system and political regimes, leading to suppression and even eradication efforts against them by rulers such as the Umayyads[6] and Abbasids,[7] as well as massacres by dynasties like the Ghaznavids,[8] Ayyubids,[9] and Ottomans.[10] These are examples of such atrocities.

Despite these massacres and atrocities against the Shia, their survival in the world, with a strong and comprehensive culture and prominent scholars in all fields of knowledge, is a divine miracle to keep the light of truth shining and be a guiding beacon for truth seekers.

 

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[1] . Al-Hud: 40 ""وَمَا آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٌ

[2] . Al-Saba: 13 ""وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الشَّكُورِ

[3] . Al-An'am: 116 ""إِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

[4] . Al-Yusuf: 103 ""وَمَا أَكْثَرُ النَّاسِ وَلَوْ حَرَصْتَ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

[5] . Ansaab al-Ashraaf by al-Baladhuri: Al-Baladhuri, Vol. 2, P: 274. . «إنّ الحقّ والباطل لا يعرفان بأقدار الرّجال. اعرف الحق تعرف أهله، اعرف الباطل تعرف أهله»

[6] . Commentary on Nahj al-Balagha: Ibn Abi al-Hadid, Vol. 11, P: 44.

[7] . Al-Kamel fi al-Tarikh; Ibn Athir, Abu al-Hasan, Vol. 5, P: 129 / Sirat al-ayimat al-Iathnay eashra(AS); Hashim Ma'ruf al-Hasani, Volume: 2, Page: 324.

[8] . Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah; Ibn Kathir, Vol. 15, P: 736.

[9] . Al-Kamel fi al-Tarikh; Ibn Athir, Az-Zaidin, Vol. 11, P: 398.

[10] . For more reading on this topic refer to: A'yan al-Shi'a; Al-Amin, Sayyid Muhsin, Vol. 1, Pp: 21- 25.