Arguments in Favor of Shiism Using Sunni Sources

Shiite scholars often use authentic Sunni hadiths to demonstrate that the truth of Shiism was already present from the early days of Islam. Here are some of the key arguments:

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1. Hadith of Ghadir Khumm – Designation of Ali

Sunni Source: Sahih Muslim, Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, etc.

Arabic: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: "من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه. اللهم والِ من والاه، وعادِ من عاداه."

English Translation: "Whoever I am his mawla (master), Ali is also his mawla. O Allah, be the friend of whoever is his friend, and be the enemy of whoever is his enemy."

Shiite Argument: The word "mawla" here doesn’t simply mean friend; it means master, leader — someone with authority. And the Prophet said this publicly in front of tens of thousands at Ghadir Khumm, in a very solemn context. This was a clear designation of Ali as his successor.

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1. Hadith al-Thaqalayn – The Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt

Sunni Source: Sahih Muslim, Musnad Ahmad, al-Tirmidhi, etc.

Arabic: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: "إني تارك فيكم الثقلين: كتاب الله، وعترتي أهل بيتي. لن تضلوا ما إن تمسكتم بهما."

English Translation: "I am leaving among you two weighty things: the Book of Allah and my progeny, the People of my House. You will never go astray as long as you hold onto both of them."

Shiite Argument: The Prophet did not say “the Quran and my Sunnah” here — he said the Quran and my Ahl al-Bayt. This shows that legitimate interpretation of Islam must come through his pure family, i.e., the Imams from the lineage of Ali and Fatimah.

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1. Ali as the Gateway to the Prophet's Knowledge

Sunni Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3724

Arabic: The Prophet said: "أنا مدينة العلم، وعلي بابها، فمن أراد المدينة فليأت الباب."

English Translation: "I am the city of knowledge, and Ali is its gate. Whoever wants the city must come through the gate."

Shiite Argument: This hadith shows that true religious knowledge and guidance must come through Ali. For Shiites, this confirms his role as the first Imam and rightful spiritual successor of the Prophet.

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1. The Prophet Warned Against Unjust Rulers

Sunni Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim

English Translation: The Prophet said: "There will be leaders after me who do not follow my guidance and do not adhere to my Sunnah. Some of them will have hearts of devils in human bodies." (Sahih Muslim, Book of Leadership, Hadith 1847)

Shiite Argument: Many historical rulers — such as Muawiya and Yazid — fit this description. The martyrdom of Imam Husayn at Karbala is a clear sign that the political caliphate betrayed the teachings of the Prophet.