Ahbash and the Shia: Which one is better?

By Ubah Abdusalam Seid

 The Pseudo-Sunni group called “Ahbash” has been compared to the Shia Muslim faction by many viewers. However, it is a mistake to conclude the group as a pro-Shia despite its many Shi’a like beliefs. In some grounds, for Sunni Muslims, I truly believe that the Shi’a Muslims are better than “Ahbash”. To show this, let me list some of the similarities and dissimilarities between “Ahbash” and the Shia. 

1.       Similarities: “Ahbash” and the “Shia” have similar stands on the following points.

A.)   “Ahbash” highly argue about “tabaruk” (seeking the blessing of Allah by the Prophets, the saints, the Holy Qur’an, the good deeds etc…) and “tawasul”(intersession of prophets and saints between Allah and the believer) The same Shia.

B.)    Ahbash highly promote visiting, praying and making supplications around shrines. According to “Ahbash” teachings, building and decorating of shrines (especially the graves of the saintly figures) are among the highly rewardful deeds of a believer. The Shia have almost the same view.

C.)    On the Sahaba (companions of the Prophet- s.a.w),  the Ahbash teach “You can’t slander the Sahaba. But you can criticize and slander the Sahaba who rebelled against the Khilafa of Ali Ibn Abi Talib”. And you can hear them openly cursing the Sahaba included in this category such as the mother of the believers Ai’sha bint Abubakr, Al-Zubayr ibnul Awwam, Talha ibn Ubeydullah, Mo’awiya ibn Abu Sufiyan, Amr ibn Al-As etc (r.a). The Shi’a have also the same stance (But the Shi’a’s cursing extend to the three Khulafa’u Rashidin and some older Sahaba such as Khalid ibn Walid).

D.)   In Ramadan evenings, when most of the Muslims run for the “Taraweeh” prayer, “Ahbash”  disseminate an amazing confusion. They say “Tarweeh” is “nawafil” (supplementary) prayer. But education is “Fard” (obligation). So rather than making people busy on “Taraweeh”, it’s better to teach and learn knowledge”. So almost all of them don’t go to “Tarweeh” prayer. What do the Shi’a say? (Shi’a of course says “Taraweeh is ordered by Umar, not the prophet. So it is rejected”. But the Ahbash don’t say this straight forward. They bring another reason.)

E.)    The Ahbash’s chief Sufi order is Rifa’iyyah. This order is said to be founded by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Rifa’i (12^th century).  The silsila (spiritual chain) of the order joins Sheikh Ahmad Al-Rifa’i to the Prophet (r.a) through Ali ibn Abu Talib (r.a). And as you count the spiritual figures of the chain, you will come to the twelve Imams of the Shi’a (at the end).

F.)    Ahbash has strong argumentations for Mawlid (celebrating the birth day of the prophet-.s.a.w). They promote even the Mawlid of “Fatima Zahra” (daughter of the prophet- s.a.w) and other saints. Shi’a have also the same view of Mawlid. (Remember that Mawlid was introduced to the Muslims not by the Sunni scholars, but the Fatimid rulers of Egypt around 10-11 century. And the Fatmid were not Sunni, they were Isma’ili Shi’a.)

G.)   On their creeds of the Qur’an, the Shi’a believe that Qur’an is created and not eternal (Unlike Sunni Muslims who believe Qur’an to be Uncreated and Eternal Speech of Allah). But Ahbash take a mid way between the two. They Say “Although Qur’an is Uncreated and Eternal speech of Allah, this doesn’t refer to the Qur’an we read today because Allah doesn’t speech in human language, and His Speech doesn’t have a letter or sound”.

H.)    Ahbash highly curse and criticize Sheikhul Islam ibn Ibn Teymiyah. They also curse Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdulwahhab and Imam Ibn Qayyim Aljawziyyi. The Shi’a have no difference from Ahbash on their view of these leading Sunni scholars.

2.        Dissimilarities: “Ahbash” and the “Shia” have differences on the following aspects.

A.)   Ahbash believe Muslims never struggle to form an Islamic State. They believe that an era of forming Islamic caliphate (or any form of Islamic state) already passed. Therefore, a Muslim must live a moderate life wherever he is. Participating in any group or association which calls for Islamic reform or state formation, being a member of Muslim political party, marching for the “Jihad” with Islamic combatant force etc… are invalid. However, the Shi’a has a contrary view to this. They say “a Muslim must be ready to defend his religion and the Islamic state in all ways”. And they never deny Muslim’s participation in politics.

B.)    Ahbash highly curse and hate the revivalist scholars like Sayyid Qutb, Abul A’ila Mawdudi, Jamaluddin Afghani, Rashid Rida etc... But the Shi’a has very positive views of these scholars. (For example, the Shi’a highly praised Abul A’ila Mawdudi for his effort to narrow the gap between Sunni and Shi’a Muslims.)

C.)    Ahbash is highly fanatic as compared to Shia. For Ahbash, a Muslim who doesn’t follow their teaching is either a “Kafir” (infidel) or “Khawarij” (the ousted one) or “Zindiq”( heretic). But the Shi’a don’t believe so. All what they say to other Muslim dominions is “they are misguided”.

D.)   Ahbash highly cooperate with non-Muslims than the Muslims. It’s ready to deal with enemies of Islam to attack other Muslims. But the Shi’a don’t have this behavior. They deal only with themselves (even, it’s very difficult to know the secret of the Shi’a because they don’t share any secret with all non-Shia people).

E.)    The Ahbash believe their chief enemies are those whom they call “Wahabiyya” and the “Muslim brotherhood”. But the Shia believe their chief enemy are the Zionists.

So who is better? It’s on the eye of the beholder. But for me, the Shi’a have more passion for Islams and Muslims than Ahbash.