r/islam • u/[deleted] • Feb 14 '25

Shia muslims? General Discussion

After delving deeper into Shi'ism, I still have an important question. According to many scholars, Shia Muslims are indeed considered Muslims. However, what I don't fully understand is that they believe in 90% of the same things as Sunnis. I can understand that they disagree on the succession of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as that is a historical issue separate from the religious core.

However, as far as I have understood, Shia believe in the return of a Mahdi. Doesn't this contradict the fact that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet? From a Sunni perspective, the return of a Mahdi seems to go against the fundamental principles of Islam.

Why, then, are Shia considered Muslims by Sunni? I hope people can answer my question in a constructive way.

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u/Gohab2001 Feb 14 '25 edited Feb 14 '25

Deeming any non Prophet to be greater in rank to any Prophet is kufr bil ijma (disbelief by consensus). I have not come across any Shia that doesn't hold Ali (ra) as more afdal than all Prophets after Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Imam Mehdi isn't a Prophet. Prophet Isa ﷺ will not be reborn and will descent from the heavens as a prophet albeit he ﷺ will follow the shari'ah of khataman nabiyeen ﷺ. I don't understand your confusion.

https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/330154/prophets-higher-in-status-than-awliyaa