Imam Reza (pbuh) and the Claim of Being Shi ah

This article exposes the characteristics of Shi’ah in the light of the words of Imam Reza (pbuh). Imam Reza(pbuh) considers that the distinctive characteristics of one’s being a true Shi’ah are: obedience to Glorified God, performance of divine duties, and avoiding inviolable things and disobedience to God. Piety, obedience to God, humility and meekness, trustworthiness and constant remembrance of God, performing prayers and fasting, beneficence to one’s parents, attending to neighbors, to the poor and to orphans, truthfulness, reciting the Qur’an, beneficence to people are other characteristics of Shi’ah.Really trustworthy Shi’a are known to their relatives and people for their honesty and trustworthiness. One’s mere claim of being a friend of God and the Prophet’s household (pbut), can never be a plausible excuse for one’s deliverance from hell. The criterion of loving and being a friend of the Prophet’s household (pbut) is obedience to God and the criterion of enmity with them is disobedience to God.