ISLAAMIC REVOLUTION OF IRAN

Due to recent political developments we find international focus and attention being directed towards South Africa. This has resulted in an upsurge of delegations and representatives of various ideologies visiting this country. This development has created a very real threat to the Imaan and religious convictions of the Muslims of this country. One very formidable and deceptive force of BAATIL which will definitely attempt to exert its influence in our country is the of the followers of the Shi'ite sect. It has been observed that in various countries representatives of this sect from Iran have firmly planted their roots and begun their propagation of falsehood. Generally, their modus operandi is to prey on the love of the Qur'ân in the hearts of sincere Muslims by holding Qur'ânic recitals. While the reciters employ the concept of Taqiyya (a process of deception where true beliefs of the Shiás are concealed - this act of deception is considered an Ibaadat by the Shiaás - ref. 'A Shi'ite Creed' p. 96) thus concealing the beliefs lurking in the hearts of these Qaaris.

Furthermore, we observe the general decline of the Muslim Ummah from their position of honour and rulership to that of passivity and servitude to the West. This sad state of affairs has given rise to intense feelings of resentment towards the West in the hearts of the Muslims and a general desire for radical and revolutionary change. The second and more dangerous ploy of the Shias is to exploit these very instincts of revolution and rapid change rampant especially in the hearts of our youth. The 1979 revolution of Iran by Khomeini is portrayed as an Islamic revolution and cited as a glowing example of the type of Islamic courage and defiance of the West which the Muslims so much desire. These type of tactics are uncouth and unprincipled and these agents of Baatil are merely exploiting a vulnerable situation and creating a picture of falsehood. Any objective study of current history will clearly illustrate the untold harm to Islam on an international scale caused by the so called 'Islamic revolution of Iran'.

Nevertheless, being a body of Ulama and having an incumbent duty and responsibility towards our Muslim brethren we felt it necessary that since the recent insurgence of Iranian interest in our country, there exists a very real possibility that the same devious tactics will be employed against our innocent brethren in South Africa, hence necessitating a brief discussion of what the Shiás really are. As they say 'forewarned is forearmed.'

The question we will address are:

1. In the light of the beliefs and ideologies of Khomeini and the general Shiás can the Iranian revolution ever be called an Islamic one; and,

2. Just what beliefs the Shiás hold with regard to the Qur'ân which they so 'beautifully' recite.

In the interest of brevity we have opted to suffice with just a few authentic quotations taken generally from Shiá original sources that have been printed after the revolution and translated by Shiá translators themselves. Any Muslim with a vesitage of Imaan in his heart will easily be able to judge for himself.

ABOUT THE SHI'A BELIEFS ON IMAAMAT

1. The Imaams possess all the knowledge granted to the angels, prophets and messengers. (Al-Kaafi p. 255)

2. The Imaams know when they will die and they do not die except by their own choice. (Al Kaafi p. 258)

3. And our belief concerning him who denies the Imaamat to the Prince of Believers Áli bin Abi Talib and the Imaams after him is that he is the like who denies the apostleship of all the prophets, on whom be peace. (A Shi'ite Creed p. 94)

ABOUT THE QUR'ÂN

1. On the contrary we say that so much of revelation has come down which is not embodied in the present Qur'ân, that if it were to be collected, its extent would be 17,000 verses (A Shi'ite P. 77)
   
   (Incidentally the Holy Qur'ân contains 6,666 verses)

2. The complete Qur'ân is with the 12th Imaam who is in hiding (See A Shi'ite Creed page 110 and Islamic Government page 45)

ABOUT THE SAHÂBAH

1. The Prophet said: 'He who wrongs Ali as regards my successorship after my death, it is as though he has denied my apostleship and the apostleship of all the Prophets before me. (A Shi'ite Creed page 93)
   According to this quotation all the Sahaaba (RA) become Kaafir (May Allah save us).

2. Ali Mathahir reported that Ahmed bin Ishaq al-Qummi al-Ahwas said: 'Verily the day Úmar was murdered is the greatest day of celebration, the day of pride and honour, the day of the great purification and the day of blessing and consolation.'

3. Khomeini himself on Muáwiya (RA): 'The greatest disaster that befell Islam was the usurpation of rule by Muáwiya from Ali' (Speeches and declarations of Imaam Khomeini page 2000) also '…Muáwiyah who was no better than any other dictator.' (Echo of Islam page 68)

4. Khomeini about Fathima (RA): She was an angelic creature who had appeared in human form. She, who was a divine angelic creature, who took on the form of a woman. (Echo of Islam page 68)

When Allah Taãla himself declares His pleasure with the Sahâbah (RA) in the Qur'ân and even says: 'When you will bring Imaan like how the (the Sahâbah) brought Imaan then only you will be rightly guided' (Baqarah 137); then we need to say no more. Consider the following statement of Nabi (Sallallaahu`alaihiwasallam): 'On the person who reviles my Sahâbah rests the curse of Allah and of angels and of men combined. Neither his Fardh nor his Nafl is accepted by Allah.'

We are absolutely convinced that the above is more than sufficient for any believer to become convinced of the wretchedness of the beliefs of these people. Really some of their beliefs and statements of blasphemy against the Sahâbah and the Qur'ân are too disgusting to even write. Anyone wishing to obtain more detailed discussions on the matter may obtain the relevant books from the Jamiat offices. We beg our brethren, especially our youth for the sake of your Imaan and the love of Allah and His Rasul (Sallallaahu`alaihiwasallam) that you have in your heart: Do not be beguiled by these impostors for association with them could only be at the cost of your Imaan and Aakhirat.