What Kind of Shi'a Are You?

Are you a Shi'a by name? Do you walk around "proud to be Shi'a", wearing your faith on your sleeve for all to see? Are you a part of a greater movement to identify yourself as part of Shi'a Islam for socio-political gain and status in your community? What does it take to be a "real" Shi'a?

Excerpts from Ayatollah SMH Fadlallah's lecture titled "Shiism in the View of Imam Al-Baqir (a): The Attributes of the Shiite" http://english.bayynat.org.lb/infallibles/baqir.htm

Imam Al-Baqir [a] says to Jabir bin Abdallah: “Is it enough for a person to embellish himself as our Shi'a (follower) by professing love for us, the Ahlul Bayt? Nay! By Allah, a person is not our follower unless he fears Allah and obeys Him. Our followers are only recognized, O Jabir, by their humbleness, submission, honesty, abundant praise of Allah, fasting and prayers; goodness to their parents; attention to the poor, needy, debtors and orphans living nearby; speaking the truth; recitation of the Quran; holding their tongues except for good words; and trustworthiness towards relatives in all affairs”.

Imam Al-Baqir [a] sent with Khaithama Bin Abd El-Rahman Al-Jaa'fi, one of his companions a letter to his Shi’a followers and to all Muslims. He says in the letter: "Convey my greetings to our followers and advise them to fear Allah, the Magnificent, tell them that their rich should sympathize with the poor, and their strong should sympathize with the weak. They should attend the funerals of their dead and visit one another, for their meeting keeps our cause alive. And that they cannot become among our followers except by piety, communication, unity, love, and remembrance of all the vital issues that gather all people. And their main concern is Islam in all its doctrines, rulings, values, and morals…"

AH Dabaja