The Muslim majority has no other argument to support their views apart from the argument of majority and consensus (ijma). They believe they are right only because they are in majority and Shias are deviated because they are in a minority.
Reply
Even a cursory glance at the Holy Quran is sufficient to prove where Islam stands on the majority-minority debate. Allah the High has never considered majority as a standard of truth; in fact, the truth is to the contrary. History is witness that the majority has always been against the truth for which they have been condemned in no uncertain terms.
The Holy Quran has criticized the majority
In the following verses the Quran has condemned the view of the majority:
- And what reason have you that you should not eat of that on which Allah’s name has been mentioned, and He has already made plain to you what He has forbidden to you– excepting what you are compelled to; and most surely many would lead (people) astray by their low desires out of ignorance; surely your Lord– He best knows those who exceed the limits.
Surah Anaam (6): Verse 119
- And most of them do not follow (anything) but conjecture; surely conjecture will not avail aught against the truth; surely Allah is cognizant of what they do.
Surah Yunus (10): Verse 36
- And even if We had sent down to them the angels and the dead had spoken to them and We had brought together all things before them, they would not believe unless Allah pleases, but most of them are ignorant.
Surah An’aam (6): Verse 111
- Or do they say: There is madness in him? Nay! He has brought them the truth, and most of them are averse from the truth.
Surah Momenoon (23): Verses 70-71
- Most surely there is a sign in that, but most of them will not believe.
Surah Shoara (26): Verse 8
- And We did not find in most of them any (faithfulness to) covenant, and We found most of them to be certainly transgressors.
Surah Aaraaf (7): Verse 102
- Allah has not ordained (the classification of camels into) a bahirah or a saibah or a wasilah or a hami but those who disbelieve fabricate a lie against Allah, and most of them do not understand.
Surah Maaedah (5): Verse103
- A Book of which the verses are made plain, an Arabic Quran for a people who know. A herald of good news and a warner, but most of them turn aside so they hear not.
Surah Fusselat (41): Verses 3-4
- Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are straying farther off from the path.
Surah Furqaan (25): Verse 44
- Or, have they taken gods besides Him? Say: Bring your proof; this is the reminder of those with me and the reminder of those before me. Nay! Most of them do not know the truth, so they turn aside.
Surah Anbiya (21): Verse 24
- And most men will not believe though you desire it eagerly.
Surah Yusuf (10): Verse 103
- He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him).
Surah Saba (34): Verse 24
- The Holy Quran has praised the minority
On the other hand, there are instances where the Holy Quran has praised the minority.
- And when We made a covenant with the children of Israel: You shall not serve any but Allah and (you shall do) good to (your) parents, and to the near of kin and to the orphans and the needy, and you shall speak to men good words and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate. Then you turned back except a few of you and (now too) you turn aside.
Surah Baqarah (2): Verse 83
- And if We had prescribed for them: Lay down your lives or go forth from your homes, they would not have done it except a few of them; and if they had done what they were admonished, it would have certainly been better for them and best in strengthening (them).
Surah Nisa (4): Verse 66
- Therefore, for their breaking their covenant and their disbelief in the communications of Allah and their killing the prophets wrongfully and their saying: Our hearts are covered; nay! Allah set a seal upon them owing to their unbelief, so they shall not believe except a few.
Surah Nisa (4): Verse 155
- Until when Our command came and water came forth from the valley, We said: Carry in it two of all things, a pair, and your own family– except those against whom the word has already gone forth, and those who believe. And there believed not with him but a few.
Surah Hud (11): Verse 40
- But why were there not among the generations before you those possessing understanding, who should have forbidden the making of mischief in the earth, except a few of those whom We delivered from among them? And those who were unjust went after what they are made to enjoy of plenty, and they were guilty.
Surah Hud (11): Verse 116
- They made for him what he pleased of fortresses and images, and bowls (large) as watering-troughs and cooking-pots that will not move from their place; give thanks, O family of Dawood! And very few of My servants are grateful.
Surah Saba (34): Verse 13
- He said: Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes; and most surely most of the partners act wrongfully towards one another, save those who believe and do good, and very few are they; and Dawood was sure that We had tried him, so he sought the protection of his Lord and he fell down bowing and turned time after time (to Him).
Surah Swaad (38): Verse 24
Conclusion
These were just some of the verses condemning the majority and praising the minority. They are sufficient to disprove the argument of the Muslims that the majority is right and the minority is wrong. As we have seen from the Holy Quran, the minority is rightly guided and the majority is deviated. So Muslims must do a rethink about trumpeting their majority and mocking the Shias for being in a minority.