Basic differences between Shia Imamia Ithna Ashari Akhbari and Usooli
Sn. AKHBARIs Believe
1. Quran and Ahadees as the only source
of Divine law (ahkamat)
2. Ijtehad in religion is forbidden
3. Practice on opinion (rai) and guess work
(qiyas) is forbidden (haram) and
innovation in religion (biddat).
4. Taqleed (Unconditional surrender) is
obligatory (wajib)
5. Taqleed of only 14 infallibles as
obligatory
6. Supreme Authority (Ulil Amr) are 14
infallibles only, using this word for
others is forbidden.
7. Using the term Imam for any one other
than 12 Imams is forbidden
8. Deputy (Naib) of an Imam is Imam only.
9. Only infallible can do istembaat
(Deducing religious solutions)
10. Alian Walliullah is an integral part
without which the kalema is incomplete.
11. The prophet and 13 infallibles are equal
and same in all and every aspect
12. The right to interpret the Quran is only 12. Mujtahid can interpret Quran through
with the 14 inflalibles who have complete
in-depth knowledge (Rasekhuna fil ilm)
13. Subtractions and alterations were made
in Holy Quran.
14. Gaining knowledge about divinity
(Marefate Noorania) of Prophet
Mohammed (S.A) and His Progeny (A.S).
Is compulsory
15. Practice on knowledge of principles of
jurisprudence (Usul e Fiqh) is forbidden
16. The self blood shedding (khooni matam) 16. Self blood shedding (khooni matam) in
while mourning of Imam Hussain (A.S) is
according to islamic law
17. Salvation is only through deep love and
affection for Imam Ali (A.S) and through
gaining knowledge of his divinity.
(Practices (aamal) are intensively
demanded).
18. Accept all the attributes of God, but
request generosity for sins.
19. Apparent practices are indications of
faith.
20. Ahadees are either right or wrong
Sn. USOOLIs Believe
1. Quran and Ahadees are insufficient
source of law, and adds intellect (aql)
and consensus (ijma) to it.
2. Ijtehad in religion is necessary
3. Practice only on opinion (rai) and guess
work (qiyas)
4. Taqleed is lawful only for followers,
forbidden for mujtahid.
5. Only taqleed of a mujtahid is lawful.
6. Fallible (Ghaire Masoom) as Supreme
Authority (Ulil Amr).
7. The fallible are also Imams.
8. Fallible are deputy of Imams.
9. Mujtahid have right to do Istembhat
(Deducing religious solutions)
10. Alian Walliullah is not an integral part.
11. 14 infallibles are not equal and the
same.
reasoning (tafseer bil rai).
13. No subtraction and alterations were
made in Quran.
14. Gaining of spiritual knowledge is not an
imposition in religion (takleefe sharai)
but takes it only as a verbal meaning.
15. Practise on knowlegde of principles of
jurisprudence only.
the mourning of Imam Hussain (A.S) is
forbidden (haram) and innovation in
religion (biddat).
17. Salvation is through apparent practices
(Mutazela believe the same).
18. Accept justice (adl) to the extent that
they deny generosity (karam) from God.
(Mutazela believe the same).
19. Apparent practices are integral part of
faith.
20. Ahadees are categorized into sahih,
zaeef, mousaqh, hasan, ahaad etc.