Generally, when someone is accused of being a Rafida, it means that this person (rafidi) rejects Abu Bakr and Umar al Khattab. The Shias, since the earliest time, have rejected the caliphate of Abu Bakr and Umar. The Shia considers them (the first and the second caliphs) usurpers of the Prophet Caliphate and oppressors of Ahlul Bayt (namely Imam Ali (as) and Fatima (sa)).
Based on a hadith attributed to Imam Jaffar as-Sadiq (as), re-produced below, being called a rafidi should be a source of pride.
A man came to Ja'far al-Sadiq saying that someone had warned him against becoming a Rafidi and Ja'far replied "By God, this name which God has granted you is excellent, as long as you follow our teaching and do not attribute lies to us." Muhammad al-Baqir also mentioned an instance when he pointed at himself stating "I am one of the Rafida."
as salaamu alaykum sister, this is also a nice one, from al-sadooq's 'fadhaail al-shi'a' hadith 18
ReplyDeleteHe (Abu Bassir referred to by the Imam as abu Muhammad) said: “May Allah make me your sacrifice. We have been called with a name due to which our backs have been broken, our hearts have been dead, and the governors have deemed lawful to kill us—all for a narration that their scholars have related.”
The Imam (a) said: “You mean Rafidah, do you not?”
He answered: “Yes, I do.”
The Imam (a) said: “No, by Allah. It was not they who named you so. It was, in fact, Allah Who chose this name for you. O Abu Mohammed, have you not known that there were seventy men among the Israelites who rejected the Pharaoh and his people when their deviation had been proved to them? Accordingly, they joined Moses (a) when they knew his having been the right party. Because they rejected the Pharaoh, the party of Moses called them the Rafidah –the rejecters-. They were the best worshippers among the individuals of the party of Moses. Besides, they were the most affectionate of Moses, Aaron, and their descendants.
Then, Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He, ordered Moses, by way of revelation, to record this name for those people in the Torah, for He has chosen it for them. Moses (a) did. Allah then saved this name so as to use it for you.
O Abu Mohammed, the others rejected the good and you have rejected the evil and held fast on the good.
As people went in various directions and separated into different sects, you went in with the household of your Prophet Mohammed (s). You thus opted for what Allah has opted, chosen what Allah has chosen, and wanted what Allah has wanted.
Enjoy the good tidings. Surely, enjoy the good tidings. You are, by Allah, the compassioned ones whose righteous deeds will be accepted and wrongdoings will be overlooked. For him whoever does not come to Allah, on the Day of Resurrection, with the same beliefs that you have, his good deeds will not be accepted and his wrongdoings will not be overlooked.
Excellent. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis is the hadith I was looking for.
Thanks for sharing feel free to follow or comment on my blog if you wish.
ReplyDeletebut what about zaidis who use the term rafidi against twelver and ismails.i think this word was first used by imam zaid ibn e ali against those who rejected to fight with him against hisham.
ReplyDeleteDo you have reference for this?
ReplyDeleteZaid revolted against the Ummayad. The term rafidite would probably include Zaid because he was an Alid (family of Imam Ali).