Title: About Shias Question: Dear brother, it's been so much priviledge to have people like you Islam, with neutral theology and thier submission to the cause of Islam without any greed. I have read your sections about all topics and found you very positive on every aspect. But for some, they don't want to understand simply. I am asking you a straight question, and beside that I am giving you a "thought" in the means of asking another question. Note to all readers: this is my individual thought and many people can differ. Q1- Can a Sunni Guy marry a shiya Girl? If yes then why? If not then why not? I know it depend upon individuals understanding about different factions of Islam. I am just asking you your opinion. Straight question. Q-2- Why not is this easy, to declare shiya a Non-Muslim? I have read your sections about that, but for my understanding it is very clear that Shiyas are not Muslim. The Basic, and clear evidence is that they have Added in Kalima tuyyuba---which is the basics of Islam--- there is no sense of any imam have declared that addition. One can think clearly that-- Our Prophet (PBUH) never asked people to add into Kalima, Hazrat Ali (RA) himself never desire to add his name in Kalima-- AND last of all-- the Victims of Karbala--Hazrat hussien- never triggered that change. There is completely NO SENSE OF ADDITION IN KALIMA. Thus I draw this conclusion that we can clearly state shiya's Non-Muslim. I know, people like yourself, cannot draw this fatwa or decision, but how could a normal Muslim can do it? This is the main duty of Moulvi's, who know Islam better than any regular Muslim. Please let me know if I am wrong. I know declaring shiya's non-Muslim, would not bring any good to us (Sunni) this will additionally a step of loosing brothers and sisters. BUT to the extent of TRUTH- we have to do it. To stop this FITNA- I wonder, how Hazrat Ali (RA) would feel about this addition which he did not asked for in his name, but people are doing ON HIS SHOULDER. Answer: You said you ask us straight question, allow us to answer straight: Can a Sunni Guy marry a shiya Girl? If yes then why? If not then why not? Yes he can, for the simple reason that it is lawful for a chaste Muslim to marry a chaste Muslimah (and the chaste among Ahl-Alkitab ). Why not is this easy, to declare Shiya a Non-Muslim? I am not sure how being "easy" is relevant here. Either some one is non-Muslim so you call him non-Muslim, or some one is Muslim and you call him Muslim. There is nothing in between that might demand easy or difficult effort. It is not possible to declare Shia as non-Muslim simply because there is no basis for doing so. In the absence of any basis for doing so, it could be a grave sin to give this inappropriate title to Shia Muslims. To review what are the bases for announcing some one as Non-Muslim please refer to the following: Another Exchange on 'Declaring Someone non-Muslim' You said: "The Basic, and clear evidence is that they have added in Kalima tuyyuba ... thus I draw this conclusion that we can clearly state shiya's Non-Muslim." I am afraid I cannot see any clear evidence above (and not even in the argument you put forward which I summarized when quoting you): Firstly, I am not sure in which context you are referring to Shia adding to the Kalima Tayyibbah . Yes it is true that they add a statement about Ali (ra) in the Shahadah . However, they do not add this in the Shahada that is read in prayers. Even in Azan and Iqama , where they do add this sentence, it is not part of Azan or Iqama according to the Shia theology. These are the only two occasions in which the Shia declare Shahada (or Kalima Tayyibbah as you referred to it). Secondly, I am not sure based on what divine law or based on what agreed upon view you think that adding something to religion (if it does not directly conflict with the basic beliefs of the religion) will necessarily make a person non-Muslim. Please note I do appreciate that it is absolutely forbidden to add anything as an additional obligatory belief to the religion. This however does not mean that necessarily such an act can make some one non-Muslim. If you are aware of any verses of the Qur'an or any consensus among the scholars about this (declaring some one as non-Muslim merely because one has added something to the Islamic belief) please let us know. Third, you said you have drawn this conclusion. However you then said, "This is the main duty of Moulvi's ." I hope you do not believe that declaring some one non-Muslim is something that can be done by any individual while rejecting to call some one non-Muslim is something that can be done only by scholars (or as you said Moulvi's ). In any case, being a scholar or regular Muslim does not make any difference. An individual, or groups of individuals, no matter how learned they might be, are not in any capacity to declare some one non-Muslim. The capacity of the scholars is only to educate about non-Islamic beliefs and ideologies, however they do not have the authority to declare individuals as non-Muslims. It is only the collectivity of Muslims who have such capacity (refer to the link I provided above) Even then, this announcement only applies for our worldly affairs and it does not necessarily mean that in the hereafter and before God the almighty, this announcement is meaningful. You said: "we have to do it. to stop this FITNA". I do not think that announcing about 15% of Muslims (including the main habitants of two countries) will stop any Fitna . I think it will just start it. You said: "please let me know if I am wrong" In this reply I have done my best dear brother to let you know very humbly and respectfully that (to our understanding) the way you think about this issue can be best described with the word "wrong," both in terms of approach and in terms of conclusion. Abdullah Rahim February 26, 2005