Shia Muslims form 15% of the global Muslim population.
Yet, for the past fourteen centuries, Shias have been misunderstood and misrepresented, persecuted and dismissed as 'non-believers'.
The word "Shia" appears in the Holy Qur'an and translates as "followers".
Shia Muslims follow the tradition ordained by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who said in his last sermon:
"I leave amongst you to two weighty things:
* The book of Allah (SWT) - the Holy Qur'an in which there is right guidance and light, so hold fast to the Book and
* The members of my Household (Ahlul Bayt) and I remind you of your duties to the members of my family."
In an age of sectarian division and violence, this unique book attempts to resolve major theological differences in the form of a Q&A: providing answers, with references, to the 50 key questions that Sunni Muslims pose to Shia Muslims. The aim is to try and bridge the gap of (mis)understanding between the two great schools of Islam.
All the answers are based on verses from the Holy Qur'an and traditions from books compiled by leading Sunni, not Shia, scholars. Allah (SWT) has blessed us with the power of reasoning. It is a gift that should be utilised to read and ponder over the answers provided, and to share the knowledge with others - both Sunni and Shia, both Muslim and non-Muslim.
