Tassawuff, Rafidhi (Shia) and Iran

Asslamo Allaikum,

Orya Maqbool Jan (world renowned analyst) had a TV discussion on current affairs particularly American-Iran agreement and I will translate bits of his analysis in this thread.

No! You are incorrect in your analysis on Iran (Persian empire), there are two Irans.

1. First Iran is what the Sahaba (RA) conquered and it lasts until the Safavids. This is the period in which there are thousands of Ulamah and Mashaykh of Persian origin can be seen in the Islamic world. The influence is immense! Turks/Afghans took their Tassawuff from Iran, no doubt about it
2. When the Safavids (Rafidhees) came to power in Iran they first destoryed Tassawuff (power base of Sunnees) and Sunni influence withered away as a result. I have been to Iran and Tassawuff is BANNED in Sunni and DOES NOT exit amongst Rafdhees. Today the Iranees admire Fairdowsi, why? Because he curtailed the influence of Arabic and revived Persian!

There has been a concerted effort to revive Persian and erode Arabic in Iran, in our lands and other "Non-Arab" countries and "Nationalistic influence has been planted to CUT THEM off from Islam.

Turks have done the same, gradually and on purpose their link with Islam is weakened and their proximity with Europe is emphasised.

But the hatred towards Tassawuff (from Shias) is very important to understand because they killed Suffiya and thereby undermined the spiritual heart of Sunnees

The American hatred towards Iran has been a drama all along.

1. In Iraq all America did is destoryed the Iraqi Army (which was predominantly Sunni). This enabled Shias to move into the region and there is no resistance because America broke the back of the resistence
2. In Afghanistan, the Nothern Alliance (as opposed to Pushtuns) always had clear Irani support. It wasn't possible for America to go into Afghanistan without covert Iranian support!
3. Enemies of Islam will always keep IRAN because Shia Iran is a counter-balance and threat to any emerging Sunni state
4. I covered the Hizbullah/Israel war. Israeli warplanes dessimated Lebanon BUT not a single significant war bunker of Hizbulllah was hit, how and why? I remember that Al-Jazeera Journalist stood on the only bridge left in Lebanon and proclaimed that this is the only bridge left in the city, 10 minutes after the live shot the bridge was bombed too!
5. There are Jewish weapon dealers who supplied weapons to both Iraq and Iran during the war

And if Shias hate Jews so much then how come the largest minority in Iran are Jews? I have been to Isfahan (which the Prophet mentioned in Hadeeth) and all the top traders are Jews!

So what is this Israeli drama about Iran?
 

The similitude between Saudia and Iran is of 1st and 2nd wife vying for the husband.

1. Saudi is the wife which has now become old and she is lamenting that I bore children for you (did so much for you, O America) and you abandon me when my looks have faded and my face has become wrinkled!
2. Iran is the younger, prettier wife who has the following to offer:
   1. Supply route for NATO/American Army which is cheaper, faster and more secure then Pakistan
   2. World's 4th largest oild and 2nd largest Gas Reserves
   3. Counter balances Pakistan/Afghanistan and the Sunni states
   4. Counters growing Turkish influence

Saudi Arabia (like an old wife) is just sulking! There is no doubt that they have served America with distinction!

Now lets turn to India/Iran relationship. I speak Persian and so does my family.

India (historically) always had a huge influence in Persia, many of our Shia poets (Lucknow, Hyderabad) still reside in Iran. The dean of the university (in my area) is Hyderabadi.

When Bollywood releases a movie, the same day it is available dubbed in Persian. The leaders of Afghan Northern Alliance have houses in Delhi and their kids study in Indian universities, this happens even today.

Indian company has build the Afghanistan/Iran highway and Iran has given a nod for American supplies...

When I first went to Iran someone asked me "Are you Indian?" And it made me angry and I pointed to my fair skin (stupidity from youth) and said, "Have you ever an Indian as fair skinned as me?" I am Pakistani!

So we need to understand that Shias in Iran and Afghanistan have very strong relationships with Indian.

You need to understand something about America!

When their economy tanked in 2008 they went to Rand Corporation and they issued a detailed study that Economy needs a major war. That is because the only thing Americans now excel is as weapons! China makes TV, Mobiles, iphones whatever but nobody can match American military hardware. So who has the money:

1. India: Around 180 million Muslims
2. China: Over 100 million Muslims
3. Russia: 41% of Russain Army comes from a Muslim background or state of Muslims

So the common threat is Islam and Muslims.

In 2010 USA did the largest arms sales to Saudia worth $60 billion! Why did they need $ 60 billion in Arms. Because the American made Iran appear like a threat so the Saudees decided to buy Arms

Sunni (Pakistan) and Sunni (Afghanistan) has been turned into AFPAK. American embassies now deal with India and AFPAK! I mean how did we get to AFPAK.

The idea is to turn AFPAK into a region of extremism with killings, murders, kidnappings so there is a legitimate excuse for others to wage war.

Deobandi/Barelwee is our thing.

1. Ask the Afghans do they have a Deobandi/Barelwee divide?
2. Ask the Persians do they have a Deobandi/Barelwee divide?
3. Ask the Malaysians do they have a Deobandi/Barelwee divide?
4. Ask the Indonesians do they have a Deobandi/Barelwee divide?
5. Ask the Turks do they have a Deobandi/Barelwee divide?

There are some good things in Iran which we must also admit and they are as follows:

1. Beard is required by law
2. Hijab is required by law
3. Prostration at graves is punishable crime
4. There are 3 Government TV Channels and 3 approved private Channels, no cable, no satellite...nothing
5. There are just a few Government approved Newspapers and magazines

What I am trying to say is that they have enforced "their Fiqh" which Muslim country has enforced Hanafi Fiqh or any other Fiqh? Which Muslim country has banned satellities and cable and the uncontrolled media outlets?

I admit that the Persians have done for their reasons, nevertheless it is commendable what they have acheived.