I thought there were more types of Shia, other than the Extreme Shia and the Shia Ithnaa Asheriyyah. This post has helped me learn new details. It has also made me wonder if the Shia could go mainstream in the future, a la NOI.

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Signor Nur, you have compiled a nice research. I look forward to the next part.

You're quite correct that most Muslims would favor a real Islamic government in Somalia. There are no criteria necessary to convince us of the legitimacy of a prospective Islamic government; what we simply need is reach a stage where we are physically capable of rebelling the interferences of the enemies of Islam. Without those interferences, Islamic rule in Somalia will take its natural course. There was a period in the 1990's when a part of Mogadishu was ruled with Sharia; the people in that part experienced peace and prosperity. Unfortunately, the experience has alarmed the enemies of Islam, and they conspired with the Somali warlords to abort it.

Originally posted by Nur: Haddad The Shia believe the imaams to be infallible like prophets that is why they refer to them as Aleyhi Salaam, like prophets. Shukran for the clarification. I am sure the Shia are dead wrong in that belief.

Originally posted by Kowneyn: ‘Alī (عليه السلام) Perhaps my memory is rusty, but I understand when we mention one of the khulafa'ul rashidun, a sahabi or one of the most revered Islamic figures, we also say (radhiyalaahu canhu). I know Ali bin Abu-Talib (karamalaahu wajhuhu) was a unique revered Islamic figure. I have come across many ahadith when his name is mentioned, (karamalaahu wajhuhu) follows. However, I don't recall where (calayhi salam) is said after his name is mentioned. Please, clarify for me. Shukran.

Originally posted by NGONGE: What is your alternative? The alternative is to terminate the occupation.

Iraq is a war zone. Anyone going to Iraq for whatever reasons, be it to get a job or become a collaborator for the Judeo-Christian crusaders/invaders, knows the risks. Anyone going there also knows the benefits, which is you earn significant hundreds dollars per day, because you place yourself at the risk of getting killed. Contractors in Iraq make some $1,500 dollars or more per day. I would estimate truck drivers make a minimum of $200 per day. There's no country in the world, especially in the Third World and even in the First World, where a regular truck driver makes that money. Any sane Somali in Iraq (especially those working for the Judeo-Christian crusaders/invaders) would have left Iraq long ago, at least since the first beheading. But, my understanding is those Somalis still in Iraq have been enticed by the Judeo-Christian crusaders/invaders to stay for a payment of $400 or more per day. While those truck drivers are making profits, many Iraqis could be dying because they don't have enough dollars to pay treatments for wounds or second-degree burns from 1000-2000 lbs bombs dropped by the Judeo-Christian crusaders/invaders' warplanes.

Originally posted by Jumatatu: Nur, You haved initiated this thread as being educational and presenting your proofs as to why you label the Shia's as kuffars (Istaqfurullah). I haven't seen where Nur explicitly labeled the "Shia's as kuffars." I have come across such strategies of twisting what someone says in order to force being on the defensive. AFAIK, this discussion is over, and I respect Nur's silence.

It's my belief in order to grasp what the Shia order of Islam is about, one has to learn it from the people that concern it, especially the common Shiite. The common Shiite is found in Iran and Iraq. As with the Sunnis, the Shiites also have the moderates, conservatives and something else in between. There are all kinds of written materials and rumors we read or hear about the the Shiites. I as a Sunni Muslim, have lots positive feelings and perceptions about Shiite Muslims. I feel I have a lot of common with them, and little negligble differences. When I hear the word Shia mentioned, the guerilla movement Hizbollah and what they do for Muslims (rebelling the enemy, providing social services, among others) comes into my mind. How Iraqi Sunnis and Shiites live peacefully and cooperate, how they intermarry without a problem comes into my mind. I haven't read or heard about minority Sunni Iranians having problems in Iran. The Shiites know quite well who the enemies of Islam are, hardly cooperate with them and are at the forefront of those who fight them. It's my belief we Sunni Muslims need to minimize the differences we have with our Shiite brothers/sisters, emphasize and strengthen what we have in common (especially the dogmas and pillars of Islam), cooperate on rebelling the enemies of Islam and stay away from what divides us. Allahu akbar.

Originally posted by Professor S: Who thinks that women should stay in their houses, cook food and clean the house? I do. However, I would do it in a cooperative manner, with each one doing willingly what is required from him/her regarding how a husband and wife should treat each other in Islam.

What can this petition achieve? Practically nothing. Millions have protested and it didn't stop the invasion and colonization of Iraq, the murder and rape (including men and children) of tens thousands Iraqis. That's a fanciful petition to give a false impression about "Democracy" in action. The truth is only jihad can change something; all other efforts are pure waste of time.

First of all, this is a nasty invasion that has gone awry. Let me sum it up; for all you know, the US might be behind the beheading. There's a heated scandal engulfing the US military institution; what better way to deflect the attention towards a beheading by Muslims? Is the timing a coincidence? Why wasn't there a single beheading during the past year? Think about it. You think the US will not behead one of its citizens? If you don't think so, think hard. There are enough collaborators who would stage such a beheading at the orders of US politicians. There's a nasty propaganda machine at the hands of the US. Unfortunately, the US propaganda machine (embodied in US media outlets) has lost its credibility and professionalism, even among most US citizens. In this invasion, it doesn't matter who did what; what matters for the US is to convince as many people what it wants to sell.

Originally posted by Lakkad: Subxaanlah...this is exactly the probs facing the MUSLIM UMMAH, giving out irrational Anology to justify(or show dispise for america),just so as to be supporting to a cause that in itself in quetion!-- The Muslim ummah should not bother with "irrational Analogy" in order to appease the Judeo-Christians or be considered members of the "civilized world"; they need to obey and appease Allah. The Judeo-Christians will never be pleased with Muslims unless Muslims follow the way of the Judeo-Christians; that fact is in the Qur'an. Muslims have an Islamic standard to adhere with, not a Western standard. Originally posted by Lakkad: Aint it plain HENIOUS and OUTRIGHTLY BABARIC,to behead an innocent MAN? and then MENTION the NAME OF ALLAH?--isnt this defeating the justification that ISLAM is a peaceful religion?,that is so clear in the QURAN and the humble teachings of OUR prophet scw!? How do you define "an innocent MAN"? This is a war zone. There are invaders, occupiers, merceneries, collaborators and etc. Innocent Iraqi men, women, minors and childern were raped by the Judeo-Christian crusaders. Savage dogs were set to tear their body (including probably their reproductive organs) and left to die from bleeding or rabbies. In Islam, when beheading an enemy, a Muslim has to "MENTION the NAME OF ALLAH"; don't you know that?

Originally posted by Lakkad: who are they to invoke gods NAME when taking an innocent LIVE Anyone can invoke "gods NAME", including "when taking an innocent LIVE"; there's no law against doing so. People of all religions do so or have done so. It's not something new, maybe you're too young and have not heard about it. Recently, a general William Boykin claimed the God Somalis believe, Allah, is a false idol. He believes the war on terrorism (aka Muslims) is a fight with Satan. He also claimed President George Bush was chosen by God to lead the global fight against Satan (aka Muslims). The American who was beheaded doesn't apply to the definition of "an innocent LIVE"; Iraq is a war zone in which there are Judeo-Christian occupiers (with their contractors and merceneries) and Muslims. The first group has no right whatsoever to be in Iraq, even if Iraq possessed WMDs; they're simply there to colonize (among other reasons) Iraq. The second group has every right to use whatever means to kick the Judeo-Christian occupiers out of Iraq.

I know what a madhab is, but I don't specifically know which one I follow. I can guess it could be the Shaafici, but I don't believe it's a critical issue that I have to know about. The tenets of Islam is practiced by followers of the four madhabs and the Shia; that's what matters. I know there are fringe elements of the Shia who cut themselves among other practices, but they represent a tiny minority. There are also fringe elements of the Sunnis who ask help from dead sheikhs/imams among other practices, but they also represent a tiny minority. The majority of Shias do not differ that much from Sunnis. Being affiliated to a particular madhab isn't a big deal in this age. Muslims know who their enemies are and the obstacles that stand in their way in order to regain their prestige and Islamic empire; what they foremost need to do is become assertive from Western influences.

I am not sure if it's "FUNDED by KAAFIRS", but it wouldn't matter if it were funded by such. There are codes of conduct that every forum has to enforce; Somalinet obviously chose not to enforce. That's why I recently bid Somalinet farewell.