Muslims: Can I just be a MUSLIM not a Sunni or Shia?
SunniSunni Muslims are the largest group in Islam, comprising the vast bulk (80-90%) of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims, hence the title Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘ah (people of the tradition and union)
Muslims: Can I just be a MUSLIM not a Sunni or Shia?
Asalamu 'Aleikom! See, I'm born to a family who really values Allah Nada Islam. I'm very thankful to Allah that I was born having Muslim parents since not everyone are born to a Muslim family. This is a very great blessing for me because I was already introduced to Islam at a young age. However, even if my parents are both Muslims, they have particular differences of beliefs in Islam. My mother is Sunni while my father is Shia. I'm thankful that my parents never fight with each other because
of being a Sunni or Shia. At times, they would try to teach or share their beliefs with each other but they never forced each other to accept that belief. They married because they were Muslim who believes in Allah and Prophet Muhammad(pub).
Now that I've grown, each of my parents tells me and my brothers to follow their faith, particularly, being a Sunni or Shia. My mom wants us to be Sunni while my dad wants us to be Shia. However, my mom advices and teaches us this not in a place where my dad can witness it. My dad also does the same. He advices and teaches us this not in a place where my mom can witness it. I guess they just want to avoid hurting each other. They tell us why we should follow their particular faith in Islam. I?m really confused!
I usually pray Salat following the Sunni way because I first learned Salat prayer that way and I?m more familiar on it. I would share one of my experiences. Though this may sound funny, it?s a serious problem for me. When I was praying once, my father passed by. I knew that he might advice me again seeing that I prayed not the Shia way. That?s why I immediately placed my arms and hands down, a sign of Shia prayer.
Now that I've grown, each of my parents tells me and my brothers to follow their faith, particularly, being a Sunni or Shia. My mom wants us to be Sunni while my dad wants us to be Shia. However, my mom advices and teaches us this not in a place where my dad can witness it. My dad also does the same. He advices and teaches us this not in a place where my mom can witness it. I guess they just want to avoid hurting each other. They tell us why we should follow their particular faith in Islam. I?m really confused!
I usually pray Salat following the Sunni way because I first learned Salat prayer that way and I?m more familiar on it. I would share one of my experiences. Though this may sound funny, it?s a serious problem for me. When I was praying once, my father passed by. I knew that he might advice me again seeing that I prayed not the Shia way. That?s why I immediately placed my arms and hands down, a sign of Shia prayer.
--When my mom passes by, I then place my arms and hands up again in it?s position while praying the Surah Al-Fatiha and Surah al-Tawhid. I want to stop doing this because I?m communicating to Allah. I honour, love and really respect my parents that?s why I could not just choose whether I?ll be FIXED Shia or Sunni and not follow them. I know that each of them thinks what is best for their children. Now, it seems that I?m Sunni in my mom?s eyes and Shia in my dad?s eyes. I?m sad doing this.
Can?t I just be a Muslim? I know that what?s the most important of all is what Allah sees in me. I want to be a FIXED MUSLIM who?s neither Sunni nor Shia. I love Allah very much and respect Islam and Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). Why is there a diversion in Islam anyway? We should all follow what Allah says, follow the Holy Qur?an, and follow the guides of the Prophets Allah sent right?
Please do not give any marks of discrimination when answering. Thanks. Allah bless!
Sunni or Shia we're all Muslims but with different beliefs. Of course one of us is right and the other is wrong and I'm not gonna tell you who i think is right but I'm just gonna tell you to read more and learn more about each one and then see what your faith tells you
You need to understand that the way you pray may differ but it will not change the validity of the prayer as long as you do the FordODf the prayer (the necessary obligations) properly.
You can be both Sunni and Shiia
How?
Well Shiias respect Hazrat Ali a lot, so should you.
They take him as a leader and a teacher, so should you.
They do however go into sects of their own and this is what you shouldnt do.
There are some Shiia who believe that the closest companions of the Prophet have conspired against him. I do not think that such a thing is true, even if it was, it is not something you can affect or change, it is long gone. So stay within the bounds of respect towards both your parents.
And remember that they have been brought up to believe certain things, none of these things have anything to do with your personal faith in God. Stay true to the Islamic tenets and show respect to the Prophet, thats all you need in order to go to Heaven. ^^
seriously... does it really matter? the answer is NO, it does not matter. if it was that crucial, your parents would have killed each other long before you were born, kind of like what's been happening for the past millennium in Iraq. lighten up, why would you even want to follow a religious group who would kill you or vise verse over the way you hold your hands when you pray?
Well, it sounds like your parents are not compatible with each other- a good marriage is based on trust, and if they are each in competition with each other over your faith, that is not a trusting relationship.
Discuss this with both of them openly, at the same time, in the same room.
Also, keep an open mind- your path just might not be Islam. Read about all faiths, and read about the lack of faith. You can't truly make an informed decision if you don't have all the facts.
Allah asks us to follow His Words- The Holy Quran and Obey His messenger- Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). You can just be a Muslim without a label. Call yourself a 'Muslim' as Allah called us in that name. Abraham was a Muslim, Jesus was a Muslim (PBUT). Remember Sunni-Shia was not a problem until US invaded Iraq. The media & the west wants to exaggerate the minor differences and cast enmity between Muslims. Why to get confused about prayer. We are all asked to pray how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed. Which is very clearly narrated in his traditions.
I KNOW IT WOULD BE HARD FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU ARE MISLEAD IN YOUR FAITH. WHY WOULD YOU ACCEPT A FAITH THAT WANTS TO KILL ANYONE THAT IS NOT A MUSLIM.
WE NEVER KNOW IF A MUSLIM IS HERE TO DO US HARM OR LIVE IN PEACE. BUT DUE TO THE QUARAN SAYING ANYONE THATS NOT A MUSLIM SHOULD BE KILLED ...... WHAT ARE WE TO THINK???
IF SO MANY HATE AMERICA.............WHY DO THEY KEEP MOVING HERE??? DO THEY HAVE PLANS TO HARM US? OTHERWISE WHY CAN'T THEY JUST ALL STAY IN IRAQ AND BE HAPPY TOGETHER?
WHY ARE THEY ALWAYS FIGHTING AND SO ANGRY? YET THEY 'seem TO BE RELIGIOUS WHEN THEY PRAY?
Unfortunately, I think media attention on the differences is a "divide and conquer" sort of ploy.
But I pray that your family will remember MOST of all that we are members of ONE Ummah. This division is shameful.
When you pray, you are praying for Allah, not your parents, so don't worry about hand positions, etc. so much. I know that's easier for me to say since I'm not in your position, but I hope you'll be able to get your parents to understand that.
I don't understand why some people feel the need to belong to a certain sect or denomination of a religion. If you want to be a Muslim then I don't see why you can't just be a Muslim without claiming any particular branch. But what do I know. I could be totally wrong.
At the beginnings of Islam and during its rising and flourishing eras such differences didn't exist .
The differences between Sunni and Shina Muslims aren't about major Islam teachings like whether Muslims should fast in the Holy month of Ramadan , it's just about some minor branches in Islam like the way we should stand for prayer like you said . Imam Malek says that it's OK for Sunnis to copy shies and shies to copy Sunnis in minor issues of Islam as long as it's away from the major beliefs .
Your parents seem to be very understanding and I'm sure you'll find a way to please them both without disobeying God .
The true Muslim as prophet Muhammad PBUH instructed is to follow Quran and whatever prophet Muhammad instructed nothing more. If you do that you will be OK. You don't need to label yourself with Shia or Sunni. However you need to find out what really prophet Muhammad said and did. In this regard Sunnis has better track record. Ask yourself one question, what would prophet Muhammad have done? Did he call himself Sunni or Shina? Did he call any of his followers by this label? I suggest you educate yourself on both sects and follow the one that is authentic. I think you will find the true path. If you were to ask me who to follow I suggest you follow your mother, but try to find out for yourself. Anything that has been invented in religion after prophet Muhammad's death is not true. He never appointed 12 imams for example.
Your case resembles also some mixed marriages in the
christian world. A catholic marrying a protestant and having
children who get as confused as you. Though their parents
are both Christians there are differences in how they practice
Christianity, and maybe like your parents they also encourage
their children to join the church where each of them belong.
It is correct to assume then that religion is a very complex
part of our lives and it is up to us and nobody else to adhere
to what sect we want to be part of as long as we respect
what others believe in to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
Muslims: Can I just be a MUSLIM not a Sunni or Shia?
