Definition
Shia believe that very few people have these qualities and quote several hadith in which the Shi'a Imams complain about having plenty of Shi'a, but few perfect Shi'a. Salafis have been known to quote these hadith to give the impression that the Shi'a Imams distanced themselves from the mainstream Shi'a, or that Shi'a believe most Sahaba to be apostates.
One such hadith, titled The Four Companions is as follows:
| “ | People became apostates after the death of the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi waaleehi Wasallam), except for three people: Miqdad ibn Aswad, Abu Dharr Ghifari and Salman the Persian.. | ” |
Another relates Imam Baqir's conversation with Sa'id Ibn Al-Hassan:
- Baqir: Does it happen to you that one of you approaches his brother and he puts his hand into his brother's pocket to take some money of which he is in need, without his brother preventing him?
- Sa'id: I do not know of such a thing.
- Baqir: Then truly, there are no real Shi'i among you.
- Sa'id: Shall we all perish, in that case?
- Baqir: Yes indeed, for such people do not put into action what they say. (al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi)
A longer quotation from Imam Baqir develops this theme. It is reported in Al Kafi (Volume 2, page 74, Hadith No. 3) that Muhammad Baqir addressing Jabir said
| “ | Baqir:"O Jabir, do you think without good deeds and abstinence from sins, any claim of friendship to us is of no avail.". | ” |
Read more about this topic: Real Shi'a
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