What can we do to combat Anti-Shia propaganda?
Al Salam Alaykum Brothers and Sisters.
I recently joined a subreddit called r/antitheistcheesecake; this subreddit prides itself on being anti-extremists, viewing everything with logic, and is moderated by moderators who apparently "touch grass." Unfortunately, they also have a discord server that is highly biased against the Shias due to the Sunni presence. This made it clear to me that the internet is flooded by Sunnis blinded by and spreading hate towards the shia.
I recently was engaged in a discussion regarding taking an oath by other than Allah. When I presented proof as to why swearing by other than Allah is permissible, one of our Sunni brothers wrote, because you are a Shia, " you are by default my wrong." I was taken aback by his reaction and was disinterested in continuing the discussion because I felt my time was going to waste. Unfortunately, the internet is being affected by mob mentality, and we -the Shias- are the victims of this situation. Let us combat the hate and misinformation about the Shias by being more active in interfaith discussions and dialogues and learning more about our creed. I truly wanted to find common ground with our Sunni brothers, but they deliberately spiralled down the discussion to multiple topics and degenerate hate.
Do not let our small numbers discourage you, arm yourselves with the knowledge and wisdom of the household of the prophet, and then go engage in civil interfaith discussions and even cross-religious discussions. When one is armed with the wisdom of the prophet's household, what is it that he fears? Only Allah, a true Shia, fears.
When Jordan Peterson released his youtube video "Message to Muslims." I felt his message was off-putting to me, as I naively thought that, of course, people are trying to find common grounds and not hold on to their differences. So I saw no point with Jordan Peterson's video, but now I know what He was getting at. I am not calling for a Neoislamic era; I respect each sect's differences, but I refuse to accept the blatant ignorance that our Islamic nation holds, and I call for our intellectual shias to change the current state.
We are now more able than ever to respond to Imam Hussain's call for a victor to victor Imam Hussain. With God's will, there will be more opportunities for our educated shias to preach the prophet's message and clear the misinformation out there, but with how things are going right now, it is not acceptable. When there are people who still believe we have "Mushaf Fatima" then clearly, our efforts were not effective. So this will be a new era for the shia and a means to victor our awaited saviour.
I urge our shia youth to equip themselves with weaponry of knowledge and wisdom, to be careful of the misinformation, and to ask Allah to guide them through their journey and to hold their feet on the grounds of allegiance to Ali Ibn Abi Talib, and to grant them patience in facing falsehood. Changing society will not be easy and pleasant, but it is our duty as shias to do our role in this world.
May Allah shower you with knowledge, wisdom, love for the prophet's household, and repudiation from his enemies, and grant you the highest of honours.
Wa al-salam
Posted Jul 21, 2022, 4:57 PM UTC · edited
Nothing, dont worry about it because its outside your control
I don't think giving up is the answer. One should seek Allah's help.
No, its not giving up. The best thing we can do to promote shia is to focus on improving and being good examples. Its the most effective dawa.
That is one way of combating the propaganda.