Who Are the Shia Muslims, and Why Do They Fight Against Oppression?

Who Are the Shia Muslims, and Why Do They Always Fight Against Injustice?

Throughout history, Muslims—especially Shias—have actively fought against injustice, showcasing their commitment not just through words but through their actions. This is particularly evident today in the resilience of Iranians, Yemenis, and the Resistance Front against the Zionist regime and its allies, including the United States and Europe.

In today’s world, of course, no free and conscientious person can tolerate the oppression and atrocities committed by child-killer Israel and America. Yet, what sets Shias apart as the vanguard in the struggle against oppression and imperialism? Where does this spirit of resistance originate from? Indeed, who are the Shia Muslims, and why do they carry the banner of truth?

In this article, we will first provide a comprehensive introduction to the Shia faith, establishing its legitimacy through the Quran and authentic hadiths, supported by reason and logic. We will then give an overview of how Iranians embraced Shiism throughout history.

Who Are the Shia Muslims, and What Do They Believe in?

Linguistically, “Shia” has two meanings: one refers to agreement and coordination among individuals on a specific issue, while the other denotes following an individual or group as mentioned in verse eighty-three of Surah As-Saffat [1]. In a more specific sense, Shia refers to Muslims who believe in the succession, caliphate, and leadership of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) and the other twelve infallible Imams after Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) culminating with Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his advent) [2]. There are explicit references in narrations from Prophet Muhammad regarding the number and even names of these twelve Imams (Peace be upon them) [3]. According to these narrations, the Prophet himself referred to the followers of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) as “Shias” during his lifetime when he stated: “By Him in whose hand is my soul, he (Ali) and his followers are the winners on the Day of Resurrection [4].”

Proving the Legitimacy of Shiism Based the Verses of the Quran and Authentic Hadiths

Countless arguments support the validity of Shia Islam, demonstrating the Imamate (leadership), Wilayat (divine guardianship), infallibility, religious authority, and the virtues of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) and the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them). Although the event of Ghadir Khumm, where Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) officially introduced Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) as his successor, is sufficient and clear for any wise person to understand the truth, examining the tafsir (interpretation) of the verses of the Quran including verse of Indhar (26:214), verse of Tathir (Quran, 33:33), verse of Ulil Amr (Quran, 4:59), and hadith Thaqalayn is highly important in this regard.

Regarding Imam Ali’s virtues as the father of all the other infallible Imams (Peace be upon them), it suffices to know that he was the first to believe in the Messenger of God. He is the one about whom the Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family) said, “I am the house of knowledge, and Ali is its door; whoever seeks my knowledge must enter through him. The Prophet also said, “I swear by He Who holds my soul, Ali and his Shias will undoubtedly achieve heaven and salvation on Judgment Day [5].”

Proving the Legitimacy of Shiism Based on Reason, Logic, and the Human Innate Nature (Fitrah)

Regarding the question “Who are the Shia Muslims?” and from a self-knowledge perspective, it is crucial to understand that we humans are inherently perfectionists and desire for infinity. For this reason, nothing but the Absolute Perfection—i.e., Allah—can truly satisfy us. Essentially, the purpose of human creation revolves around becoming similar to God as closely as possible and ultimately connecting with Him.

From this viewpoint and based on the principle of the Primacy of Expertise, humans need to refer to the manufacturer or an expert approved by the manufacturer when navigating any phenomenon. This principle becomes even more crucial when it comes to understanding human beings with their complexity and greatness. Consequently, throughout life in this world, humans require an expert who can guide them and ensure their true bliss along that journey [6]. This expert must be infallible and free from error; otherwise, any mistakes they make would lead their followers astray [7]. According to verses from the Quran and authentic hadiths, these infallible experts are none other than the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) [8], while Sunni Muslims typically regard only Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) as infallible, believing that he alone was sent for human guidance.

A pressing question arises regarding the status of Muslims following the martyrdom of the Messenger of God (Peace be upon him and his family). In an era when he no longer walks among us, what is the responsibility of individuals who were born after his passing or even centuries later? Do they not have the right to benefit from the guidance of an infallible expert? Is it truly the wisdom of the All-Knowing God that leaves those who come after him deprived of a flawless role model? If this were the case, wouldn’t it raise concerns about God’s justice? The notion that God’s specific grace and mercy only apply to those who lived during the Prophet’s lifetime, leaving others throughout history to navigate their spiritual paths alone, is illogical and unreasonable—almost heretical.

Why Did Iranians Convert to Islam?

To understand why Iranians embraced Islam, we first need to look at how Islam was introduced to Iran. Contrary to what detractors of Islamic Iran portray in the media, Iranians did not convert to Islam out of coercion but out of awareness and understanding. Iran boasts a rich civilization spanning 14,000 years. From the outset, Iranians have been eager for knowledge and enlightenment, and when they encountered a religion that conveyed divine and humanitarian messages, they welcomed it wholeheartedly [9].

When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him and his family) sent a letter to Khosrow Parviz, the king of Iran at that time, inviting him to embrace Islam, Khosrow arrogantly rejected the invitation and tore up the Prophet’s letter [10]. It is important to recognize that the mission of the Seal of the Prophets was to spread Islam across the globe. Therefore, comparing Islamic conquests to military campaigns of other nations aimed solely at territorial expansion is misguided. The Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family) was commissioned by God to deliver Islam—the religion accepted by Him—to all humanity and to eliminate any barriers preventing the spread of monotheism and Islamic teachings. However, there was no compulsion in accepting this faith, as this is part of God’s law. Consequently, after the martyrdom of the Prophet (Peace be upon him and his family), when Muslims began to conquer Iran, Iranians had another option: They could pay jizya (a fixed tax paid by the People of the Book yearly to the Islamic government and remain as People of the Book) [11]. By choosing this path, they would be under Islamic governance with defined rights and protections guaranteed by the Islamic state. Thus, Iranians converted to Islam purely out of their genuine interest in its pure teachings.

Who Are the Shia Muslims? Why and When Did Iranians Become Shia?

Iranians became Shia for many of the same reasons they converted to Islam! Disillusioned with the tyranny and corruption of the Sasanian government, Iranians sought justice—the core message of Islam. Unfortunately, after converting, they discovered that justice was often absent because Islamic governance had strayed from its principles. Tyrannical rulers of the time committed numerous injustices during the Umayyad dynasty. In this context, Iranians learned that true Islam—a beacon of justice—continued through the family of the Prophet (Peace be upon them). The Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) were seen as those who remained loyal to the original messages of Islam [12].

Moreover, the Iranian society was highly intelligent, cultured, and in search of truth and knowledge. After their conversion, they realized that their best reference for addressing intellectual and doctrinal challenges lay with the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them). While Ahl al-Hadith (a group of Muslims who solely referred to the Quran and Sunnah) restricted rational thinking, and Mu’tazila (those Muslims who only believed in reason, not hadith or sunnah) downplayed the importance of hadith, similar limitations existed in other sects as well. In this environment, Iranians found the school of the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) to be progressive; it had a balanced approach that harmonized inner guidance, namely reason, with prophetic traditions and teachings connected to divine revelation and knowledge. As a result, they viewed this sect’s teachings as responsive to their scientific and spiritual needs.

Many pinpoint the Safavid era as the pivotal moment for the Iranians to become Shia, but this is inaccurate. Iranians embraced Shia Islam long before. The Safavid period simply marked the formal recognition and political support of Shia Islam as the official state religion. From the very beginning, Iranians admired Imam Ali’s (Peace be upon him) justice, considering him a role model [13]; many of Imam Ali’s soldiers were Shia. Additionally, the presence of prominent Shia Iranian scholars, scientists, and poets, particularly after the Buyid era, strongly supports this. Figures like Ferdowsi, Rabi’ al-Khorasani, and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi stand out.

Iran as the Central Shia Hub

Beyond the Iranian people’s deep love and intellectual commitment to the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them), it was also God’s will that Iran would become a central hub for Shia Islam. From a civilization-building perspective, and in line with divine will, Iran’s crucial end-time role in clearing the path for Imam Mahdi’s advent meant the Ahl al-Bayt (Peace be upon them) showed Iran special attention from the outset [14]. Salman the Persian, a close companion of both the Prophet and Imam Ali (Peace be upon them), was Iranian; his standing was so high that the Prophet declared, “Salman is one of us, the Ahl al-Bayt [15].” Besides Imam Reza (Peace be upon him), who journeyed to Iran and was martyred in Mashhad by the Abbasid Caliph, Mamun, the other Imams, throughout their lives and as circumstances demanded, sent their descendants and representatives to various regions of Iran to prepare the people for their vital role in shaping future civilization. Iranians embraced these descendants wholeheartedly, seeing them as role models [16]. No other place in the world boasts the same number of shrines dedicated to the descendants of the Shia Imams as Iran; among these are the sacred sites of Lady Fatima Masoumeh, Hazrat Shahcheragh, Hazrat Soltan Ali ibn Mohammad Bagher, and Abdol Azim Hasani (Peace be upon them).

Who Are the Shia Muslims, and Why Are They Champions of Truth and Justice?

Shia Islam’s historical role as a leading force for truth and against oppression rests on two core beliefs: First, the concept of Wilaya (divine guardianship or leadership); and second, the conviction that only Wilaya leads to truth. The well-known hadith, “Ali is with the truth, and the truth is with Ali [17],” highlights that those seeking truth must find it in Ali, God’s divinely appointed Imam and Caliph. The Shia intellectual tradition, rooted in the teachings of Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) and subsequent Imams, rejects the acceptance of injustice. A clear distinction between right and wrong is fundamental. Therefore, Shia Muslims, seeing Imam Ali and his descendants (Peace be upon them) as their ultimate guides, have always felt compelled to stand up for what is right.

This commitment is exemplified by Imam Hussain’s courageous stand at Karbala in the event of Ashura. The tyranny that persecuted and martyred Imam Ali’s sons did so because of their unwavering opposition to injustice. Consequently, anyone identifying as a Shia Muslim cannot remain silent in the face of injustice; they must actively oppose falsehood and defend truth. This unwavering commitment to sacrifice stems from the belief that the Imam, as an infallible authority, possesses unparalleled knowledge of truth and the path to it.

Those who accept the Imam’s Wilaya understand that discerning truth can be challenging, given the complexities and deception inherent in human actions. It requires profound insight into the workings of the universe and a deep understanding of humanity’s purpose and destiny. Therefore, Shia Muslims follow this guiding principle. Because defending the truth and upholding the Imamate (leadership) has always meant opposing oppression and supporting the oppressed, Shia history is replete with examples of their tireless struggle for justice [18].

In response to the question “Who are the Shia Muslims, and why do they always fight against injustice?” we must say that a core Shia belief is the eventual arrival of a world of peace and love following the advent of the Twelfth Imam. Hadiths and Quranic verses unequivocally promise a savior who will end tyranny and establish universal justice. While the belief in a messianic figure is shared by other faiths, Shia Muslims uniquely possess detailed knowledge about this Savior—his lineage, his role, and the signs preceding his arrival—all passed down through the Prophet’s and Imams’ teachings. They even understand the prerequisites necessary for his return. The exact timing, however, remains known only to God.

Consequently, Shia Muslims, citing Quran 28:5, believe that the oppressed will ultimately inherit the earth. The use of “inherit” is significant; inheritance follows death. This verse signifies that when the forces of truth triumph over falsehood, the long-oppressed will finally inherit a world free from injustice—a future they strive toward in their ongoing struggle against oppression.

References

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