Answer: As it is been said earlier, some historians have completely denied the existence of Abdullah Ibn Saba, considering him a purely fictional character with no real historical basis. As a result, they reject his alleged role in the sedition and assassination of Caliph Uthman. Below are the views of some scholars on this matter:
1. Muhammad ibn Abdul Hayy Sha‘ban
Despite extensively covering the sedition surrounding Uthman’s assassination and the related conflicts, this historian does not mention Ibn Saba or the Sabaiyyah (his alleged followers) at all in his book. (Reference: 475)
2. Hashim Ja‘it
Following the same approach, Hashim Ja‘it has conducted an even more comprehensive study on the sedition of Uthman’s assassination. He concludes:
"The narration that portrays Abdullah Ibn Saba as the central figure in the sedition is completely unacceptable." (Reference: 476)
3. Ahmad Lawasani
In his book, Ahmad Lawasani argues that the entire story of Abdullah Ibn Saba was fabricated by influential Jewish figures and later introduced into Islamic history. He suggests that these individuals only pretended to convert to Islam to achieve their hidden objectives. (Reference: 477)
These historians, among others, reject the traditional narrative of Abdullah Ibn Saba’s role and believe his story was artificially inserted into Islamic history for political or sectarian purposes.
4. Egyptian Author: Ahmad Abbas Saleh
In his book "Al-Yamin wal Yasar fi al-Islam" (The Right and Left in Islam), Ahmad Abbas Saleh states:
"Here, the name of Abdullah Ibn Saba frequently appears—described as a Jewish man who converted to Islam. Historical books depict him as a devil behind the assassination of Uthman and, in fact, behind all major conflicts and seditions... Writers have taken contradictory stances regarding him; some completely deny his existence, while others consider him the root of every strange and deviant sect that entered Islam. Without a doubt, Abdullah Ibn Saba is a mythical figure." (Reference: 484)
This statement reinforces the idea that Ibn Saba's story is largely fabricated or exaggerated, serving as a scapegoat for historical events.
5. Dr. Abdul Aziz Halabi
In his book titled "Abdullah Ibn Saba", Dr. Abdul Aziz Halabi states:
"In summary, our conclusion regarding Abdullah Ibn Saba is that he is an imaginary figure with no real existence. And even if he did exist, he certainly would not have had the audacity to play the role that Sayf ibn Umar attributed to him—neither politically nor ideologically." (Reference: 481)
This statement also supports the view that Ibn Saba is either a fictional character or, at most, a historically insignificant figure whose role in Islamic history has been greatly exaggerated or fabricated.
Answer: The Khawarij (also known as Kharijis) is an extremist sect that emerged during the first civil war in Islamic History (Fitna) in the 7th century CE. They originally supported Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in the Battle of Siffin but later turned against him and formed a separate extremist movement.
Answer: A major war broke out between Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and Mu'awiya (illegitimate governor of Syria) known as “The Battle of Siffin” (657 CE)
Imam Ali's army was about to win when Mu'awiya ordered his soldiers to raise copies of the Quran on their spears, demanding arbitration instead of battle to avoid shameful defeat. Imam Ali (AS) warned that Mu'awiya's tactic was merely a trick to avoid defeat, but a group of Imam Ali's soldiers insisted that once the Quran was raised, continuing the battle would be against the command of Allah. They forced him to accept arbitration, thinking it was a peaceful solution.
Answer: The word "Rawafidh" (روافض) is a plural of term “Rafidhi” which comes from the Arabic root "R-F-D" (رفض), which means "to reject" or "to abandon."
The term "Rawafidh" (روافض) is a derogatory term historically used by the tyrant rulers of the Muslim world followed by some Sunni scholars and groups to refer to Shia Muslims, particularly those who reject the legitimacy of the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman) and believe that Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was divinely appointed as the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him & his progeny).
Answer: Sunni and Shia Perspectives on the Term:
Sunni View: Many Sunni scholars used "Rawafidh" to describe Shia Muslims negatively, accusing them of being "rejecters of the mainstream Muslim community" (Ahl al-Sunnah) while they do not reject the mainstream Muslim Community and do not curse the companions of the holy Prophet. However, they reject all injustice rulers throughout the history. Unfortunately, Some Sunni scholars used the term negatively, associating it with heresy and rejection of the Companions (Sahaba) for example:
Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328 CE):
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 855 CE):
"The Rawafidh are those who curse Abu Bakr and Umar. But the Shias are those who prefer Ali over them without cursing." (Al-Majmu’ al-Fatawa, Vol. 4)
Al-Dhahabi (d. 1348 CE):
Shia View: Shia scholars and historians argue that "Rawafidh" was used politically to discredit those who supported Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and the Ahlul Bayt.
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) on the Label "Rawafidh":
"They called us Rawafidh because we rejected oppression and adhered to the truth. Blessed are the Rawafidh!" (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 68, p. 97)
This means that rejecting falsehood and standing with Ahlul Bayt (AS) is not a negative thing but rather an honour for them.
A famous poetry of Imam al-Shafi'i on the "Rawafidh" (Lovers of Ahlul Bayt)
Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i (D. 820 CE), the founder of the Shafi'i school of Sunni jurisprudence, was Due to his love and respect for Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and his descendants; he was sometimes accused of being a "Rafidhi" (one who rejects the first three caliphs). He said:
إن كان رفضًا حب آل محمدٍ فليشهد الثقلان أني رافضي
"If loving the family of Muhammad is being a Rafidhi,
Then let all of mankind and jinn bear witness that I am a Rafidhi!"
(Diwan al-Imam al-Shafi'i, Collected Poems of Imam Shafi'i)
Answer: The term was first propagated by some Umayyad and Abbasid-era scholars to discredit Shia Muslims.
Zayd ibn Ali (RA), a descendant of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), is reported to have been called a "Rawafidhi" when some of his supporters refused to acknowledge Abu Bakr and Umar’s caliphate.
The term later used by some Sunni Scholars to defame Shia Muslims and it became a general label for Shia Muslims, especially the Twelver (Ithna Ashari) and Ismaili Shi’a sects.
Answer: The term "Rawafidh" is mainly a historical insult used by anti-Shia groups.
Final Thought: Being called "Rawafidh" for loving and following the Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) is not an insult, but rather a badge of honour for those who stand for justice and truth.
Answer: The word "Ghulat" (غلاة) is plural of word “Ghali” (غالی) which comes from the Arabic root "Ghuluw" (غلو), meaning "excess" or "exaggeration".
The Qur’an condemns Ghuluw (excessive belief), as seen in Surah Al-Nisa (4:171):
"Do not commit excess (ghuluw) in your religion, nor say about Allah anything but the truth."
Definition in Islamic Context:
"Ghulat" refers to those who exaggerate religious beliefs by:
Answer: The 12 divine Imams from Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them all) strongly condemned the Ghulat as deviants and liars.
📌 Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:
"Two groups will be ruined because of me: those who exaggerate their love for me and those who hate me." (Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 127)
📌 Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:
"Beware of the Ghulat, for they distort the truth and introduce falsehood into our religion." (Al-Kafi, Vol. 2, Hadith 377)
📌 Imam Ali al-Ridha (peace be upon him) said:
"The Ghulat are worse than the enemies of Ahlul Bayt. They claim divinity for us, and we seek refuge in Allah from them." (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 25, Hadith 273)
📌 Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said:
"Beware of those who exaggerate in their beliefs about us (Ghulat). We are only servants of Allah and His creatures." (Al-Kafi, Vol. 8, Hadith 232)
🚫 The Imams clearly distanced themselves from Ghulat beliefs and warned their followers to reject such ideas.
Answer: While most of the “Ghulat” disappeared, some extreme sects today hold Ghulat-like beliefs, including:
🚫 Some extremist sects in Iran, Iraq, and Syria who exaggerate the status of Imams.
🚫 Some groups in Lebanon and Pakistan who claim Imam Ali (peace be upon him) created the universe.
🚫 A few extreme movements that reject Islamic obligations and claim that "love for Ahlul Bayt" is enough.
📌 Mainstream Shia Muslims reject these beliefs.
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