Which Is The Right Faith- Sunni Or Shia?
Question
I am a sunni muslim, married my cousin (maternal uncle's daughter). My Uncle is kind of an illiterate person, not serious about his faith or religion. His wife, my aunt is Shia, I happened to know this reality when I was to marry my love interest, but after it was brought to my notice, I was clear in all my explanations and conditions that my wife (cousin) would follow Sunni faith and all sunni traditions.
She knows very little about Islam, but has a sound knowledge on Hazrat Ali's life history. We have had many heated discussions, she claiming the Shia's to be on the right path. Nevertheless, I had strictly warned her to follow Sunni faith, and she is honestly doing that.
But I will like to know the exact details as to how do I prove her about the right faith of Sunnis and whats wrong in Shias faith.
Response
I think it does not matter what I believe is wrong with the Sunni or the Shi'a faith. My question to you would be that why do you believe in the Sunni faith? If it is because you were just born a Sunni and inherited this faith, then I would say that Shi'as have also been told the same thing, and they also believe that they are on the right path. Then the question arises that how does one know that they are on the right faith. It is possible that you could have been born a Shi'a and told all your life that Shi'a is the correct faith whereas Sunnis are misguided!
My brother, there is no reason why you should believe that you are necessarily on the right path, and there is no reason why she should believe the same. We, as Muslims, are required to recite "Show us the right path" seventeen times every day in our prayers. Obviously, we are always in the need of the right path and that is why God has required us to ask for it from Him.
As to the solution, there are two separate things that both of you need to do.
Firstly, God has laid an immense duty upon us to treat others well, especially our husbands, wives and our parents. Your wife's parents are to you as your own parents are. It does not matter what we think of each other, we have to treat parents and our partners in life with as much respect as possible, and possibly avoid discussions that can lead to heated debates. Example of the Prophet (pbuh) is perfect in this regard: People used to bully him but He always prayed to God to show them the right path. In our case, not only should we pray to God to show our relatives and the beloved ones the truth, but we should also pray for ourselves that God show us the path of His liking.
Secondly, I think both you and your wife should turn to God and His word. Quran has been revealed to us for nothing but guidance. It prescribes the way we should live and deal with others and solves all the problems, including the one that you are facing. There is only one ultimate truth and that is the Quran. I think both of you should study Quran together, and help each other understand the Quran with an unbiased and honest attitude. After that, you may realize that you have differences of opinion. If your intentions are honest, these minor differences shall not be of concern. And when you understand something in Quran different from what you believe in, then you should change your ways and believe in Quran for it is the word of the Lord of the Worlds.
In addition, there is no concept of sects in eyes of God, instead we have been called by only one name - Muslims. The righteous path, therefore, is to understand the wants of God and get closer to him. Neither should one allow anything to intervene in their relationship with the Almighty.
And always use intellect and keep yourself open to the truth, that is what real Islam is. When you get a new point of view that looks even stronger on reasoning, you should not waste time in accepting it. Remember, we will be judged on our effort in finding the truth and our understanding of it. And if the intentions are honest, you will find that ultimate truth is only in understanding the Quran, that is what Muhammad (pbuh) brought with so much trouble after having being oppressed by his opponents, and not only that, he set up a society to practice it and show it to us. Let us be fair to the Book of God.