Sunni + Shia = One Ummah. Part 7

Asalam u Alaikum, hope everyone is doing well Insh'Allah.

Sorry if this seems like I'm dragging the topic of the Caliphate on forever, but it is a sensitive topic in my opinion.

I was going through Islamic channels on the TV earlier and I came across Hidayat TV. Their topic was the birth of Ali r.a. and a man phoned up and claimed that if Ali r.a. is not included in the Shahadah during the Adhan then the Salah is not valid. I was shocked at this. Why would the Salah not be valid? And why do we need to include Ali r.a. in the Adhan? The Shahadah is claiming that you believe in no God but Allah and Muhammad P.B.U.H is His messenger. When the first people accepted Islam they said this, they did not include Ali r.a. in the Shahadah - why would they? We all believe that he was a great companion of our dear Prophet P.B.U.H and was a part of his family, we respect him. But some people take this respect to an entirely new level! I am not attacking the Shia sect and have no intention of doing so by any means, but I am merely stating the facts and my opinions. Whenever I've read or watched something by the Shia's I've always come across them talking about Ali r.a. or Hussain r.a. - I've very, very rarely seen or read anything where they are talking about the Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H! After Allah comes the Prophet, the other Prophets and Messengers (Peace be upon them all) and then come their companions. And as I have already said in a previous post, many people from both sects do not respect some of the companions and this is not right - a true Muslim respects Allah, respects His Prophets and Messengers P.B.U.T. and all their companions; no exceptions. Respect them but within limits. Do not go over the limits by directly or indirectly giving them a higher status than they deserve.

But going back to what I was saying, I've heard much more about Ali and Hussain r.a. from some Shia's than I have of the Prophet P.B.U.H himself and this has really confused me. Surely, the Prophet P.B.U.H as a person and his lifetime hold more importance? We all like learning about the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and their lives, but then some Shia innovate and go over the limits when talking about Ali r.a. or Hussain r.a. Whilst I was watching Hidayat TV, another person called up on the show and said that Ali r.a. killed someone and then brought him back to life and asked that person what he thinks of him, and he replied that Ali is god- Naudhubillah! Shirk at its highest. I am not saying all Shia think this, but the person who phoned up obviously believed this. How can people say such things?! Naudhubillah, Astaghfirullah.

I have said before, and I will say again, do not cross the limits. Ali r.a. was a great man, a great companion of the Prophet P.B.U.H, he deserves respect but to a certain extent. Innovating, giving him a higher status, committing shirk is not the way forward and it is certainly not the way to be rewarded with Jannah. Some Shia repeatedly say Ya Ali Madad - how is he going to help them? Is he going to come and help people individually? No. Is he alive among us that they call upon him? No. Why do and say such things? Why lead yourself astray so easily? Why ignore the solid facts and follow innovations? Why make rewards from Allah after death, harder for you to achieve? Why make it harder for others? Think. Just think. That's all I ask. Do not think in the state of mind of whichever sect you belong to, think as someone who needs to learn the truth, do not hold anything against the other sects. Follow what is true, do your own research, read the translation and tafseer of the Qur'an by Ibn Kathir, read the Sahih Hadith -not the weak ones! - and you will easily know where you had gone wrong and where you were right.

May Allah guide us all Insh'Allah. Ameen.

Walaikum Salam.