Ali Sharfuddin

Moosavi Baltistani A Short Biography

Hassan Musanna(H.M) Roundovi

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Ali Sharfuddin, a Shia reformist who Questioned and refuted the core of Shiism
A week ago I was introduced to Allama Ali Sharfuddin Moosvi and I am now somewhat embarrassed having to admit that until then I did not know who he is. But after my brief initial web surfing and googling, I have become intrigued by his views and I look forward to learning more from him about his thoughts on the Shi'a tradition.

Allama Ali Sharfuddin(alternative spellings of last name Mousvi, and Mosavi) was born in 1938 A.D, at Aliabad, a town in Baltistan,Pakistan. His father was the descendant of Sadaat s(Prophets lienage); in fact his last name was derived from the Ali Sharfuddin Moosvi.He was brought up in a religious family of aliabad shigar. At an early age, Ali Sharfuddin Moosvi was given home education, he "received religious nurture at the hands of his father and from a variety of teachersof his hometown.Then in 1955 A.D he moved to Iran.He received a traditional Shi'ite Islamic education at the renowned Hawza or 'seminary' of Najaf -- Karbala's 'sister city' and burial place of Imam Ali. Based on his research in Tehran and at the Hawza's in Qom and Mashhad, he articulated a very critical rereading of received knowledge in the Shi'a tradition, questioning the core of its doctrinal positions.Among his teachers at Najaf he was a desciple of Ayatollah Sadhegi Tehrani,which made his interest in quran a passion.At Qum his teacher was Ayatollah Baqir Sadar. During his studies in Najaf and Qom he copmlained againt the rule of not including Quraan in the Syllebus of these institutions.He always tried his best to make Holy Quran as the basic need for a religious institution.This thing is reflected in his books Wake up and defend Quran,Muarif e Quraan,Prophets of Quraan which are containing verses and lectures and information related to Holy Quran.It shows his love and passion towars promoting Holy Quran and Teachings.He alwas rely upon quran while he argue on some topics,these all gestures are real feelings and enthusism of Allama towars the Holy Quran. After 12 years abroad,Iran and Iraq,his studies completed he came back to Pakistan and Established an institution Darul SaqafaAlislamia which published numerous shia

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books and litratue in Pakistan.Thus it was a great triumph of Allama that his mission of preaching shia islam succeed.At early stage he managed seminars and gatherings for the arrival of Imam Mahdi.He publiushed Dua Nadba and circulated these pumphlets and was a devout waiter for coming of Mahdi. He was the early people who struggled to introduce the cocept of Guardians or custodians of this legitimate authority, otherwise known as Wilayat Faqih (Arabic) or Velayat-e Faqihthe among pakistani shia mass after Iranian Revolution.When great shia leader Arif Hussain was myrtered he was considered to be the alternate for the position leadership of Pakistani Shias. His books were published about Azadari reforms and a series of books were published in favour of azadari and sprit of Kerbala Incident and Imam hussain.His Books made a factgion of ulema and public against him. After that he wrote a book for the Reforms of Shia.That enfuriated many shias of Pakistan.Then he wrote books for the reforms in the syllebus of Hozas and religious institutions(madrassas). His books were banned and boycotted when these books of reforms were published. He wrote manay books to spread the knowledge of qurfan about 10 books were written about understanding Quran. After that he wrote against the basic foundations of shiaism like mutta,ijtehad,imamat,waseela and Imam Mahdi.His books Imam and Ummat in Quran,which caused him to rustificate from shiaism.And a series of fatwas were issued against him.He is detained to his home since last 11 years.But still he continued his struggle by writing books again and again,at last the pakistani clergy issued fatwa against him and a headmoney of three lac rupees was announced against him. Allama Ali Sharfuddin 's critique hinges on his skepticism regarding the veracity of the notion of the so-called 'Hidden Imam'. The accepted view among Shi'a Muslims is that the last of the twelve Imams recognised by the Imami or Ithna'ashariya Shi'ites, who is assumed to have been born in 869/9CE, did not die but went into 'Occultation' or Ghayba. However, on the basis of his own examination of available sources on the history of the Imams, Allama Ali Sharfuddin comes to the very radical conclusion that there is no hard evidence of the birth of this alleged Last Imam,Muhammad ibn al-

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Hasan, also known as the Al-Mahdi; the messianic figure said to return at the End of Times. According to Allama Ali Sharfuddin , by casting doubt on the very existence of this Last Imam, the entire Shi'ite theory of the Imamate or legitimate succession of the Prophet Muhammad is undermined. This also affects the claims made by successive generations of Shi'a clerics to being the guardians or custodians of this legitimate authority, otherwise known as Wilayat Faqih (Arabic) or Velayat-e Faqih(Persian). Because the Supreme Leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini and his successor Ayatollah Khamenei, lay claim to this guardianship, Allama Ali Sharfuddin 's position in Iran became untenable , where he still lives and works. Not surprisingly, many Shi'ites have responded negatively to his ideas; as he told: 'there have been a number of fatwas have been issued against him'. He is prominent due to his courageous and dauntless efforts to eliminate deviations and innovations from shia Islam.He is an eminent reformist and author who wrote numerous books on different topics.Due to his frank and direct criticism on his own shia beliefs he came under the huge criticism by contemporary shia scholars,some shia scholars tried their best to seduce him and they then issued some fatwa against him that he is controvercial.Ali sharfuddin in his books again and again asked these scholars that why he was controvercial??Is the revial of true shia islam a controvercial act?or inviting all sects towards unity is a contovercial persons work.He is still unable to get the answer of calling him as a controvercial person.The main purpose of these mullahs or clergymen seems that he exposed all their acts and their betrial against the shias.That would be the main thing towards the fait of these ulema.

According to Sunni traditions the likes of Ali Sharfuddin would be referred as Tafdhili Shias, a term referring to the early Shias who according to Islamic (Sunni) traditions are not considered to be heretics (unlike the later Shiites, such as the Twelvers today), this is because their main trait was favouring Ali Ibn Abi Talib over all other companions (or as some scholars say, favouring Ali only over Othman and NOT Abu Bakr and Omar), yet they did not believe in many later innovated Shiite extremist concepts such as Isma (infallibility), Rajah (the return of the Imams BEFORE Judgement day),Mutta(Temporary marriage) or the core belief of later Shias named Imamah/Wilayah i.e. the believe in divine appointment of Imams of the Imams of Ahl Al-Bayt.In fact many early Shias ar known for their deep respect and love for Abu Bakr and Omar (many favoured them even over Ali), a trait you will barely find amongst

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later Shiites, let alone the Twelver Imamite sect.Ali Sharfuddin also show his respect for Sahaba especiallay Khulafa rashideen(four Caliphs) and Muhajireen ansaar and wives of prophet muhammad S.A.W. According to Sunni traditions the early (classical) Shias (whom Sunnis narrated from in their books) did not believe in any of the heresies that the later Shiites believe and introduced as essential parts of their various sects under the pretext of Tashayyu (support of Ahl Al-Bayt i.e. Shiism). Ali Sharfuddin alike, does not believe in the divine appointment of the Imams and many other heretical Shiite beliefs. Of course according to Twelver Shiism this is makes him a non-Shia by default, as for Sunnism, his likes (just as the early Shiites) are nevertheless considerd Shiites (due to their Tafdhil, which literally means preference i.e. they preferred Ali over all other companions), although without a shred of doubt they are considered as the closest Shiites to the Ahl Al-Sunnah (Sunnis), similar to the Zaydis of Yemen. Ali Sharfuddin considered his movement, an effort to purify Islam by returning Muslims to what he believed were the original principles of that religion, as typified by the early Muslims and rejecting what he regarded as corruptions introduced by Bid'ahand Shirk Although all Muslims pray to one God Allah, the highlight of this movement was that Ali Sharfuddin was keen on emphasising that no intercession with God was possible without God's permission, which God only grants to whom He wills and only to benefit those whom He wills, certainly not the ones who invoke anything or anyone except Him, as these would never be forgiven. Most of Allama Ali Sharfuddin 's publications in only available Urdu, and the soft copies of his books are is accessible online at Darul Saqafa website. .

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Some Core Beliefs and Ideas of Ali Sharfuddin Moosvi

1-He believes that the basic Kalma of islam is the La ilaha illa allah Muhammad ur Rasoolullah.He says that including third shahdah in Kalma is innovation and it is unreliable. 2-He do not believe in the imamat of Twelve Imams of Shia.He belives that the idea of imamat was fabricated by Batniyya,and any Muslim would become Imam if he righteous. 3-Unlike most sunnis and Shias he do not believe in either the birth of Imam mahdi nor he believe in his arrival,he consider the narrations related to imam mahdi as fabricated traditions. 4-He do not believe in Waseela or Intercession.He consider it as polythism to seek or invoke someone otherthan Allah. 5-He do not consider any prophet or imam to be having a knowledge of the Unseen.It is only special attribute of Allah. 6-He consider the Ya Ali Madad as polythism.As seeking help is only for allah. 7-He do not consider imams or Prophets to be Noor(light) rather he consider them as human beings(Bashar) 8-He is strictly against mutta and misyaar.He consider both misyaar and mutta as zina. 9-He is against Taweez and consider it shirk. 10-He believe that Construction of Domes and buldings over graves and veneration of graves is not Islamic. 10-He respect all Sahaba,Khulfa rashideen and Wives of Muhammad.He says it is ignorance and unlawful to curse any of them. 12-He believes that only Quran and Sunnah is the basis and source for the guidance. 13-He is against the innovations of azadari.He is against Zuljanah,Tazia ,alam and Zareeh.He strictly prohibit horse worship and worship of Standards or flags. 14-He consider many stories related to Karbala event as false and fabricated. 15-He do not support any sect.According to him all sects are against the teaching of Islam,one should identify oneself onlyMuslim,neither shia nor sunni. 16-He is against mnaking pictures and videos.

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17-He made a good stance on Fidak and burning of Fatima House. 18-He consider that caliphate was right of Hazrat Ali ,but he was deprived of it.Still Ali cooperated and struggled for islam alongwith khulafa.So one must follow seerah of ali. 19-He consider that litrally ahl bait means wife.and wives of prophet are ahl bait,but in ayat tatheer Ahl bait are ali hassan hussain fatima according to traditions. 20-He consider that tradition about creation of universe for Muhammad is weak. 21-He believes that Holy Quran is safe from any interpolation(Tahreef). 22.He respects books of both shia and sunnah,he consider only authentic narrations. 23-He is stictly againt ghullu and ghalis. 24-He belief in Pure Tauheed and deadly against Shirk or Polythism. 25-He wrote an unbiased book on seerah of Muhammad named Muhammad Mustafa(Prophet of Quran). 26-He is against taqiyya practice and called it an appliance of Lies and liars used taqiya for there false beliefs protction.

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Some books of Syed Ali Sharfuddin Moosvi Baltistani

Numerous books has been written by Ali Sharfuddin baltistani covering all the topics of Islam. 1. Ask the Holy Quran 2. Prophets of Holy Quran(Muhammad Mustafa) 3. Quran and Mushtarqeen 4. Masculaine and feminine in the Holy Quran 5. Poets and Poetry in the Holy Quran 6. .Wake up and Defend the Holy Quran 7. .Imam and Ummat(Leader and Followers) in the light of Holy Quran 8. .Horizon of Dialouge 9. .Reply of Complaints 10. Multifurous Topics(Ijtehad,Teporary marriage,Intercession) 11. Beliefs and Rituals of Shia 12. Batiniyya(The Hidden Sect) 13. Motions of Islamic History 14. Origion of Polythism and Idol-Worship in Sects 15. Numerous Qiraat causes Interpolation 16. What are our Customs and Politics?What it should be?? 17. Hajj and Omra in the light of Quran and Sunnah 18. Mosque 19. Prophets of Holy Quran(Adam,Noah and Abraham) 20. Prophets of Holy Quran(Moses and Jesus) 21. Fasalnama adalat 22. Awami Adalat kai Shumaray 23. Shikwa Jawab Shikwa 24. Madaris deeni wa Hozaat pe nigarishaat 25. Amriyyat kai khilaaf aima Tahireen ki jidwa jihd 26. Tafseer Ashoora 27. Azadari kiyon? 28. Israar Qayam imam hussain 29. Mujam kutub muwallifeen imam hussain 30. Qayam imam hussain non-muslim danishwaron ki nazar main

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31. Tafseer siyasi qayam imam hussain 32. Qayam imam hussain ka jughrafiyai jaiza 33. Answers of Ahl Zikr 34. Intikhaab masaib 35. Misali Azadari kesay manayen 36. Fasal Jawab 37. Jawab se Lajawab 38. Mujalla Eteqad Youtube is hosting a series of videos of Allama Ali Sharfuddin Moosvi . His fans maintains a blog at: http://aghaalisharfuddinbaltistani.blogspot.com and may facebook pages and groups . (H.M Roundovi)