Why do Sunni Muslims call themselves Sunni? (Sunni view) [closed]

Question

I heard this from a cleric and it took me to a deep intake, he said Sunni's are neither Shia nor Sunni and Shia Muslims are both Shia and Sunni! Strange at the first sight but then he explained it as follows:

Shia Muslims are followers of Imam Ali A.S. as the first Caliph after the holy prophet S.A. passed away, so they are called Shia (the group on Ali's side). Then also they can be considered as Sunni as they try to undergo the Sunnah of the holy prophet S.A. in their lives. Ok, I agree that not all people having the title of Shia Muslim doesn't behave such but at least it has been always recommended in our books and by our clerics, see the book titled "Sunan-on-Nabi (سنن النبی)" by the writer of Almizan as only one example for such recommendations, also there are Hadiths recommending us to learn the Sunnah of the holy prophet just as we should learn Quran.

On the other hand there are Sunni Muslims, they cannot be considered as Shia for Ali A.S. (if I have understood correctly they are most likely the Shia for Umar, e.g., although Ali A.S. is also their 4th Caliph). Also it was claimed by the mentioned cleric that they can even not be considered as Sunni Muslims as some of the Sunnah's that they follow are modified by the three first Caliphs, primary the 2nd one. Then he counted a few of such Sunnah's like the forbiddance of temporary (Mut'ee) marriage in Sunni Islam (only forbidden by Umar and not before him even by Abu-Bakr) and allowance of Mustahab-Salah in Jimaa'a.

Are these assertions true? Please give the answers with explanation, not simple yes or no. The Sunni view is targeted for this question as I guess other Shia Muslims would also have the same sight if they ever note these points.

Answer 1

The creed of Ahlus Sunnah is that we love all the Companions of the Prophet (radiallahu anhum). Moreover, our stand concerning the love for each companion is moderateness that is between extremism and negligence. We do not fanatically elevate any companion to a level befitting to only Allah or his Messenger (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) neither do we belittle or revile them. We love them as we were told by the Messenger (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم). We love them all because Allah says in the Qur'an:

And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct - Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment. [Surah At-Tawbah:100]

Allah mentions that he is pleased with the Muhajireen and the Ansar without any exceptions. Allah declares that in Qur'an. How many of us have that status? I don't know if Allah is pleased with me or not. I still live in a state of hope and fear. But, here are a group of people whom Allah is pleased with. How would I or anyone dare to speak bad about them? Anyone who would speak bad about them should consider their status with Allah. Moreover, in the authentic sunnah of the Messenger (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم), it is reported:

Narrated Abu Sa`id: The Prophet said, "Do not abuse my companions for if any one of you spent gold equal to Uhud (in Allah's Cause) it would not be equal to a Mud or even a half Mud spent by one of them."

Secondly, I see you seem to make a rift between 'Ali (radiallahu anhu) and the other three Caliphs. I wonder why when 'Ali (radiallahu anhu) himself said that after Allah's Apostle (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم), the best people are Abu Bakr and Umar. I also see many other hadiths where Ali (radiallahu anhu) shows much respect for Abu Bakr and Umar. If you were really Shi'at Ali, then you would follow Ali in his way of respecting Abu Bakr and Umar too. We love all the four caliphs but we love the way the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) himself loved.

Narrated 'Amr bin Al-As: The Prophet deputed me to read the Army of Dhat-as-Salasil. I came to him and said, "Who is the most beloved person to you?" He said, " 'Aisha." I asked, "Among the men?" He said, "Her father." I said, "Who then?" He said, "Then 'Umar bin Al-Khattab." He then named other men.

Hence, we love Abu Bakr the most, followed by Umar, followed by Uthmaan and finally, Ali (radiallahu anhum). The virtues of Abu Bakr(radiallahu anhu) is seen in many statements of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم). Abu Bakr(radiallahu anhu) was very close to the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) and he was entrusted with affairs when the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) was not available. The Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) also called him a Siddiq and he would have taken him as a Khalil (friend).

In the same hadeeth as before, Umar (radiallahu anhu) is referred to as a martyr. Regarding the allegations you made about Umar (radiallahu anhu): It was not him who prohibited Mut'ah but the Prophet himself (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم):

Ali bin Abi Talib narrated: "The Prophet prohibited the Mut'ah with women, and the meat of domestic donkeys during (the campaign of) Khaibar."

The taraweeh in Jama'h was also not something Umar (radiallahu anhu) himself came up with. This answer will explain that better. And why should I not follow the command of Umar (radiallahu anhu) when Prophet(صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) himself said:

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "Among the nations before you there used to be people who were inspired (though they were not prophets). And if there is any of such a persons amongst my followers, it is 'Umar."

That was the status of Umar (radiallahu anhu) with the Prophet(صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم). And we believe he followed the Prophet(صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) and he did not come up with something by himself.

We also love Ali (radiallahu anhu) because there are many many virtues and merits of him reported. However, this answer is more of clarification about Abu Bakr and Umar (radiallahu anhum). We strive to follow all the four caliphs and the muhajireen and the ansar in good conduct. That is why we are Sunnis and since they are the best ones who followed the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم)'s sunnah, we strive to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet and the Sunnah of the Rightly-guided Caliphs. This is because of the statement of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم):

You must then follow my sunnah and that of the rightly-guided caliphs. Hold to it and stick fast to it. Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error.

In the famous hadeeth of seventy three sects, the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) said:

"The Jews have split and divided into seventy-one sects and the Christians have split and divided into seventy-two sects and my Ummah would split into seventy-three sects. All of these sects will be in the Fire except one." They said, "And which one is this o Messenger of Allaah?" He said: "The Jamaa’ah." [ Related by at-Tirmidthee (no. 2641). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (no. 1348)]

This is the most popular narration of this hadeeth, and it is an authentic narration. In another narrations which explains this one, the Messenger of Allaah (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) , when asked about the group that would be saved, said:

"The one that adheres to what I and my Companions adhere to." [Related by al-Haythamee in Majma’uz-Zawaa‘id (1/189). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami‘ (52/9).]

Notice, he (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) didn't just say what I adhere to but also included what his companions adhere to with no exceptions.

My intellect doesn't allow me to prefer one companion and discard others in light of all these narrations. Even more so, when the companion of the Prophet whom the Shi'a claim to love so much, himself had much love and respect for the other three companions. I feel I am obeying and following Ali more by respecting and honoring Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan (May Allah be pleased with all of them).

PS: We also call ourselves Sunni because our rituals, rules and fiqh are formed based on authentic reports from the Prophet(صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) himself. So we follow the Sunnah according to the authentic hadiths.

Answer 2

Islam very often tries to solve the dispute between Christians and Jews about the religion of Ibrahim(pbuh).

Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was one inclining toward truth, a Muslim [submitting to Allah]. And he was not of the polytheists. (Quran 3:67)

So if a similar approach is taken wrt to the Prophet(pbuh), you will notice that he was neither a Sunni nor a Shia...BUT he was a muslim.

A) "Shias are shias BUT Sunnis are shias too"

[Adhere to it], turning in repentance to Him, and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allah

[Or] of those who have divided their religion and become sects, every faction rejoicing in what it has.

(Quran 30:31-32)

This verse from the Quran very clearly states that making sects is wrong. The words used for sect is actually Shia شِيَعًا. By calling our religion anything besides Islam and calling ourselves anything besides "Muslims" would be considered making sects. This would include "sunni muslim", "shia muslim", "hanafi muslim" or "jafari muslim".

B) "Sunnis are Sunnis BUT Shias are sunnis too"

If someone follows the sunnah of Prophet(pbuh), he would technically be a "sunni". I know many people who call themselves "shia", but grow the beard or sit while drinking water etc.

Islamic history VS Muslim history

This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion. (Quran 5:3)

According the the verse above "Allah had completed the favor" of Islam on us. Anything after would be consider Muslim History.

One must understand that the sunni-shia thing showed up years after the prophet(pbuh) passed away. Hence it is a part of Muslim history and NOT Islamic history.

Sunni VS Shia practices

Most of the disputes between the two groups is ignore-able, irrelevant or easily solvable. Anybody who thinks that these are monstrous or hard religious differences would actually be going against the essence of "sirat al mustaqeem" which means "straight path". Our religion is easy, we are making it hard on ourselves.