How To Convert To Shia Islam, I'm writing a paper on to convert to Shia Islam... Options

[wawawawhitna]

basically...I need to know what people have to do in order to becom a Shia Muslim... certain rituals... places they have to go... things they have to say... if anyone could help out that would be great! Thanks so much!

[Moostee]

hello wawawawhitna.

Welcome to muslimonline.

It is an interesting question you have posed which demonstrates the huge misconceptions amongst non muslims and muslims alike that shias have a different proclamation of faith than other schools in Islam.

The reality is that once you have said ashadu ala ilaha illallah wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasoolullah' which translates to 'i bear witness that there is no deity but Allah and i bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah' you are a muslim already and there is nothing further to be added to become a 'shia muslim'.

It is true that shias do proclaim that 'wa ashadu anna aliyan waliyallah wa wasiyu rasoolullah' which translates to 'and i bear witness that ali is the friend of Allah and the rightful successor of the prophet'.

however this proclamation does not have to be said in order for one to become a shia. It is customary for one to say it rather than a necessity to enter the folds of shia Islam. It is sufficient for one to have said the first two verses of the proclamation mentioned above and believe the last two to be true without uttering them aloud.

with regards to rituals... there are no rituals you must perform to become a shia muslim. The way to become a shia muslim is precisely the same way to become a 'sunni muslim'. Other than the verbal proclamation mentioned above - there are no other rituals.

This proclamation can be said in private or public - as far as i know - it does not even have to be said out loud but new muslims enjoy to say it out loud and in a big congregation because it provides a great source of joy for all muslims to hear of someone coming towards the truth.

(*the reason i believe that it is most probably not necessary to say out loud is because muslims make this proclamation of faith in their daily prayers several times a day - 'ashadu ala ilaha illallahu wahdahu laa shareekala wa ashadu anna muhammadan abduhu wa rasoolu' - this is the shia version but i am 99% certain that sunnis also say the same thing or something which has virtually the same meaning which translates to the declaration of faith - meaning it would be said out loud the first time a convert says their prayers anyway!)

I hope this has fully clarified the situation for you. If you do have any further questions on this topic, please feel free to ask again.

Peace be with you.

This post has been edited by Moostee: Nov 21 2008, 02:11 PM