15 January 1898

Doctrines of the Shia Faith

The Shia doctrine is diametrically opposed to Islam. Firstly, it is a Shia doctrine that Gabriel erred in bringing down revelation. Secondly, they believe that the companions who were gained as a result of the prayers of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, were God forbid, not Muslim. Thirdly, the Noble Quran, is the Holy Book of Allah Almighty and God himself promised to safeguard it, yet the Shias believe that the Holy Quran is no longer present in its original form. They believe that the original Quran has been taken into hiding by the Imam Mahdi. Fourthly, they believe that sainthood is limited to the twelve Imams and until the Day of Resurrection all the rest of mankind are as savages and that God Almighty has no love for them. Fifthly, they hold that cursing the companions of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who was the beloved of God, is more worthy of spiritual reward than invoking blessings upon the Holy Prophet(sa). Sixthly, they do not consider any of the saints or pious people to be righteous. I have heard from one of my teachers that Hazrat Syed Abdul-Qadir Jilani(rh) would use foul language. The fact of the matter is that Yazid is most disgraced. As far as his involvement in the martyrdom of Imam Husayn(ra) is concerned, he is responsible for this evil, but the Shias of today, even collectively, could not offer the religious services that he rendered.

The Food of the People of the Book

Babu Muhammad Afzal Sahib asked about eating the food of the People of the Book, to which the Promised Messiah(as) responded: As far as social interaction is concerned, even the food of Hindus can be eaten. Similarly, there is no harm in eating the food of Christians. However, having said that, one must ensure that the vessel in which they eat is clean and free from any impurity.1