Question:
Who are the Shia and are they the Rafidah? How do we distinguish between them?
Answer:
The Rafidah are the Shia; rather, the term “Shia” is more general than “Rafidah.” This is because the term “Shia” is applied to anyone who venerates Ahl al-Bayt (the Household of the Prophet ﷺ) more than what is rightfully due to them. As for the Rafidah, they are those who rejected Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) when they came to him and questioned him regarding Abu Bakr and Umar. He praised them both with goodness and said: “They were the two ministers of my grandfather.” Consequently, they rejected him.
This is because the Rafidah, out of their ignorance, believe that whoever praises Abu Bakr and Umar has slandered Ali, and whoever loves Abu Bakr and Umar has hated Ali. And this is due to their ignorance, for Ali ibn Abi Talib himself (may Allah be pleased with him) recognized the truth concerning those who deserved it. He used to say publicly: “The best of this nation after its Prophet is Abu Bakr, then Umar.” He said this openly. However, some of the Rafidah say: “The worst of this nation are Abu Bakr and Umar”—we ask Allah for safety. They claim to be the loyal followers (awliya) of Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Household of the Prophet ﷺ (Ahl al-Bayt), yet Ali ibn Abi Talib and the Household of the Prophet are innocent of their way.
This is especially so since some of these Rafidah claim that certain individuals among those they call their Imams possess a status that neither an intermittent angel nor a sent Prophet can attain. That is to say: their Imams are superior to the Prophets and the Angels. Furthermore, there are those among them who say that the Imams are the ones who manage the universe, thereby excluding Allah—the Mighty and Sublime—from the management of the universe—we ask Allah for safety. This is Major Shirk (polytheism) that ejects one from the fold of Islam.
Whoever claims that the universe has a manager other than its Creator—the Mighty and Sublime—is a disbeliever (kafir) and an apostate from Islam, even if they pray, fast, supplicate, perform Hajj, and perform Umrah; none of that will benefit them. Allah, the Exalted, says: “And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.” (al-Furqan: 23).
The Rafidah consist of numerous different sects. However, whoever follows the path I have described to you—meaning they believe that there is a manager of the universe among the Imams besides the Lord of the Universe—is a disbeliever (kafir), and there is no doubt regarding their disbelief.