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Then I was Guided
An autobiographical account of Sayed Tijani's search for knowledge, which aims to remove some of the barriers that exist between the schools of thought of the Ahl As-Sunnah and the Shi'a by clearing misconceptions about Shi'ism. This book is one of the many Islamic publications distributed by Ahlulbayt Organization throughout the world in different languages with the aim of conveying the message of Islam to the people of the world.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2014
61 people are currently reading
599 people want to read
About the author
Muhammad al-Tijani al-Samawi
10 books21 followersArabic-language profile: محمد التيجاني السماوي
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
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October 16, 2012this books is Miracle
June 28, 2011
then, I am guided
October 31, 2020
Tijani outlines his journey to Shi’i islam whilst dispelling myths about the theology along the way. An extremely important text as I feel there are loads of misconceptions about what Shias believe and this was excellent in arguing against certain false narratives that have arisen as, I believe, a tool to divide the Ummah and create intolerance towards eachother.
He argues that Ali was the righteous successor or the first Caliph, using both Sunni sources (Sahih, Muslim etc) & Shi’i ones that corroborate with each other. He does not include sources that can only be attributed to one side. He does, however also call out the first three caliphs & the way history has panned out as a result of their actions, as well as the prophet’s wife Aisha.
However, I think history isn’t as black and white as we have been taught or raised to believe, and I think it’s important to understand that there will always be differing opinions on what happened or what SHOULD have happened, according to some. Reading this allowed me to understand this - as I have been taught the ‘Sunni’ version of history my entire life - I do now completely recognize why so many believe Ali to be the righteous successor & how that choice was taken away from him.
In today’s world we love to focus on our differences and what separates us from other people, giving rise to intolerance, hatred and discrimination. It is so important to respect and be tolerant of other’s beliefs and emphasise what unites us, so I feel like many (Sunni) Muslims would benefit from reading this, to dispel any prejudices they may have.
He argues that Ali was the righteous successor or the first Caliph, using both Sunni sources (Sahih, Muslim etc) & Shi’i ones that corroborate with each other. He does not include sources that can only be attributed to one side. He does, however also call out the first three caliphs & the way history has panned out as a result of their actions, as well as the prophet’s wife Aisha.
However, I think history isn’t as black and white as we have been taught or raised to believe, and I think it’s important to understand that there will always be differing opinions on what happened or what SHOULD have happened, according to some. Reading this allowed me to understand this - as I have been taught the ‘Sunni’ version of history my entire life - I do now completely recognize why so many believe Ali to be the righteous successor & how that choice was taken away from him.
In today’s world we love to focus on our differences and what separates us from other people, giving rise to intolerance, hatred and discrimination. It is so important to respect and be tolerant of other’s beliefs and emphasise what unites us, so I feel like many (Sunni) Muslims would benefit from reading this, to dispel any prejudices they may have.
February 1, 2013
This book has been the most influential book I've ever read.I recommend this great book to all muslims that eagerly look for the real Islam that's SHIA. It's so helpful for Wahhabis that knows nothing about shia and oppose and hurt shia people a lot.
January 17, 2017
A good book detailing a Muslim man's soul searching and quest for "truth". The first part of the book describes his travels across the Middle East and his experiences doing the hajj. The author had a Sufi then Wahhabi background until he met some Shiites in Iraq. The man breaks through stereo-types and rumor to find the sources of belief that lead to his new convictions. While I am not Muslim, the book does explain some of the belief systems so that I can better understand Islamic thought process. The book definitely promotes knowledge and that one should look to the source of various teachings, whatever your belief, to find out if such teachings are indeed interpreted correct or part of some political agenda, as were many of the varying Islamic interpretations. The author includes a huge list of references to support all of his claims based on well explained logical reasoning.
April 1, 2013
This book was great. It is well written!
November 20, 2013
This is the best book that i have ever came across.It tells all about the questions which one sunni come across by giving references from their own book and proving that shiasm is the true religion.It has the power to convert someone to shiasm and i want to recommend it to all my muslim brothers and sisters.
January 3, 2013
I would never have known the true faith of Islam without reading theis bkk, thus being thankful to GOD that i am on the right path.
October 1, 2020
Then I was guided is an autobiography by Dr.Muhammad Al-Tijani in which he writes
down his story revolving around his search for knowledge through the Quran, History,
logical reasoning and approved texts. He encourages everyone to research and build their own ideas.
A very light and easy read that I found to be quite fruitful.
down his story revolving around his search for knowledge through the Quran, History,
logical reasoning and approved texts. He encourages everyone to research and build their own ideas.
A very light and easy read that I found to be quite fruitful.
Read
September 26, 2007This book is about journey of someone to the adventure of mind and faith. Across the line of madhzabs and found the truth that might he knows before but blinded by dogma, since the journey released him and thought freedomly.
September 21, 2007
This book is great!!!a true story wrote in a very interessting way of description..!
October 10, 2024
I am guided Alhamdulillah
January 30, 2024
Tijani opens his book with "I would like to dedicate this book to every healthy mind".
And so I would like to start my review with,
I would like to recommend this book to every curious mind.
I will forever be grateful for this book, since it opened a gate for more knowledge and understanding of where all of this went south.
I grew up in an shia enviroment and have been convinced since birth. But I always wanted to go on a journey of understandig it as well as the other side of the story fully, and what better way to have started. Not only did I learn more about the incidents that concretized the seperation of these two beliefs and take on history but I understood a perspective of humanity:
We are all born in a house with one religion - sometimes two, and decide on whats most convient for us. Not what our minds conclude through logic; If our father is of a religion, well we are born that, and that we remain. We remain in our comfort zones. We defend it like our lives depend on it. We advocate it with the facts fed to us. Never having picked up a book that made us sit for a moment and think. We live a life where our cage of truth is never broken, and every other source is either none of our concern or is considered a joke to laugh at.
But this book has proven me otherwise. It has shown me that if we are really willing to set aside ego and prejudice, we can ultimately reach an answer that isn't necessarily convenient or comforting, but one that is right.
And Al Tijani wonderfully presents that. The fact that even though he was a reputable Sufi from a repuatble lineage and had nothing but his country and people to give up and dissapoint, he went on to study the Sunni sect and thereafter by coincidence the Shia sect, which like everyone else I know around me was nothing for him but a concept looked severely down upon.
This not only encouraged me to delve deeper into Sunni islam, but find sources that would help me look at mine and compare, and through a complete objective mind find what I deem true through logic.
Doubt can either grow you closer to your own religion or farther, or the latter and then the former again.
But when they are told, "Follow what God has bestowed from on high," some answer, "Nay, we shall follow [only] that which we found our forefathers believing in and doing." Even though their fathers did not understand anything and were not guided.
- Ayah al-Baqarah (2:170)
Let us not be amongst the lost.
And so I would like to start my review with,
I would like to recommend this book to every curious mind.
I will forever be grateful for this book, since it opened a gate for more knowledge and understanding of where all of this went south.
I grew up in an shia enviroment and have been convinced since birth. But I always wanted to go on a journey of understandig it as well as the other side of the story fully, and what better way to have started. Not only did I learn more about the incidents that concretized the seperation of these two beliefs and take on history but I understood a perspective of humanity:
We are all born in a house with one religion - sometimes two, and decide on whats most convient for us. Not what our minds conclude through logic; If our father is of a religion, well we are born that, and that we remain. We remain in our comfort zones. We defend it like our lives depend on it. We advocate it with the facts fed to us. Never having picked up a book that made us sit for a moment and think. We live a life where our cage of truth is never broken, and every other source is either none of our concern or is considered a joke to laugh at.
But this book has proven me otherwise. It has shown me that if we are really willing to set aside ego and prejudice, we can ultimately reach an answer that isn't necessarily convenient or comforting, but one that is right.
And Al Tijani wonderfully presents that. The fact that even though he was a reputable Sufi from a repuatble lineage and had nothing but his country and people to give up and dissapoint, he went on to study the Sunni sect and thereafter by coincidence the Shia sect, which like everyone else I know around me was nothing for him but a concept looked severely down upon.
This not only encouraged me to delve deeper into Sunni islam, but find sources that would help me look at mine and compare, and through a complete objective mind find what I deem true through logic.
Doubt can either grow you closer to your own religion or farther, or the latter and then the former again.
But when they are told, "Follow what God has bestowed from on high," some answer, "Nay, we shall follow [only] that which we found our forefathers believing in and doing." Even though their fathers did not understand anything and were not guided.
- Ayah al-Baqarah (2:170)
Let us not be amongst the lost.
October 3, 2014
Wonderful book, really gave me new insights into the major differences between the sects; a must read for any body who wants to know about the Shia. Very readable style, keeps you intrigued till the end.
Subhanallah
Subhanallah
November 17, 2018
A comprehensive guide to Shiism
The author is unequivocally clear with his points and references every claim to a tee. If you’re looking for an introduction to Shiism from another school of Islam, look no further than Al-Tijani’s masterpiece.
The author is unequivocally clear with his points and references every claim to a tee. If you’re looking for an introduction to Shiism from another school of Islam, look no further than Al-Tijani’s masterpiece.
May 26, 2020
Brilliant read! All Muslims need to read this, all those who want to learn their religion and not just inherit it. The misconceptions and inaccuracies of hadiths some of them which I have always questioned. Logic and reasoning which satisfies an inquisitive mind.
January 2, 2008
i read this book a long time ago and i remember being really drawn to it. i should read it again.
March 21, 2014
I realy like it,especially the traditions that are about ahl albait.to download this book:
http://www.al-islam.org/then-i-was-gu...
http://www.al-islam.org/then-i-was-gu...
August 16, 2023
Absolutely beautiful. Every Muslim should read this; incredibly enlightening.
March 27, 2017
I came upon "Then I was Guided" after someone told me they embraced Shi'ism after reading it. I didn't really like this book primarily because reading it doesn't make you a better person. This isn't really an inspirational book or a book of guidance.
It does go into some depth about why history as understood by Shi'as is better than history as understood by Sunnis. But I'm not much interested in that topic. I'm interested in growing closer to God. This book might argue that the Ahlul Bay, the family of the Prophet, are a valuable resource to growing closer to God, but it stops there. It doesn't describe how we should change our lives to better understand the Ahlul Bayt; it doesn't describe what lessons, in particular, we should learn from the Ahlul Bayt. And for that reason, I don't think it really had much of an impact on me.
This book can be summarized as, "follow the ahlul bayt." But I think that advice, by itself, is as hollow as telling someone "follow the map" without actually providing them the map. That's what this book does. It discusses why we should follow the map of the Ahlul Bayt, but does not actually provide us that map (i.e., it does not provide what specific examples of the Ahlul Bayt we should follow).
This book also really could have benefited from having someone just casually edit its contents; there are so many egregious typos, and it really distracts from the book's message.
This is a good book for a Shi'a who's insecure about the validity of his or her sect, and wants reassurance that it's best for him or her to remain Shi'a. It's also a good book to humble a Sunni who believes that Sunni theology has a monopoly on truth and that Shi'as are heretics; that most definitely is not the case, and this book explains why.
But for someone who's already Shi'a, I'm not sure if this book has much benefit. Reading it won't make you a better person. But then again, that's just my opinion. Again, I read this book only because someone told me they became Shi'a after reading it. So this book can definitely be powerful and life-changing for some people.
It does go into some depth about why history as understood by Shi'as is better than history as understood by Sunnis. But I'm not much interested in that topic. I'm interested in growing closer to God. This book might argue that the Ahlul Bay, the family of the Prophet, are a valuable resource to growing closer to God, but it stops there. It doesn't describe how we should change our lives to better understand the Ahlul Bayt; it doesn't describe what lessons, in particular, we should learn from the Ahlul Bayt. And for that reason, I don't think it really had much of an impact on me.
This book can be summarized as, "follow the ahlul bayt." But I think that advice, by itself, is as hollow as telling someone "follow the map" without actually providing them the map. That's what this book does. It discusses why we should follow the map of the Ahlul Bayt, but does not actually provide us that map (i.e., it does not provide what specific examples of the Ahlul Bayt we should follow).
This book also really could have benefited from having someone just casually edit its contents; there are so many egregious typos, and it really distracts from the book's message.
This is a good book for a Shi'a who's insecure about the validity of his or her sect, and wants reassurance that it's best for him or her to remain Shi'a. It's also a good book to humble a Sunni who believes that Sunni theology has a monopoly on truth and that Shi'as are heretics; that most definitely is not the case, and this book explains why.
But for someone who's already Shi'a, I'm not sure if this book has much benefit. Reading it won't make you a better person. But then again, that's just my opinion. Again, I read this book only because someone told me they became Shi'a after reading it. So this book can definitely be powerful and life-changing for some people.
July 21, 2020
It is a book written by a muslim scholar for muslim scholars. If you don't know in details the four sunni madhhabs, shi'i traditions , early islamic history, the Quran in arabic ( yep key terms are not translated to English), the sufi orders of North Africa - especially the tijanni tariq, then the book will be likely incomprehensible to you. It is an excellent read however for those equipped with such knowledge.
The beginning of the book is very engaging. It narrates the young man's intellectual and actual journeys, his confrontation with Shi'i scholars and etc... the latter half of the book is largely a shi'i propaganda. Yes, I have chosen my word carefully. The narrator went from open, intellectual, sympathetic to a full blown, one sided shi'i propagandist who outright denies every aspect of Sunnism in odds with his newly found passion. Hence it fails to present Shi'ism in the best light.
Conclusion:
The book is a good read, despite my criticism aforementioned, it is still a well researched book containing many verifiable facts that Sunni scholars fail to acknowledge or deliberately ignore. It also shows me that truth is never singular, a nation, a religion's collective truth is simply the culmination of a collective emotion forged in a succession of decisive historical moments. And we, trying to discern such "truths" must take both opposing sides into equal consideration.
it is perhaps worthy to mention that my own intention of starting this book was due to my growing curiosity and sympathy towards shi'ism. By and large, The book somehow unintendedly did the opposite job. I am able to see clearly why such a significant portion of Sunni muslims hold Shi'ites in contempt. Having said this, it still confirmed some of my positive views on Shi'ism and I am grateful for the author's effort.
The beginning of the book is very engaging. It narrates the young man's intellectual and actual journeys, his confrontation with Shi'i scholars and etc... the latter half of the book is largely a shi'i propaganda. Yes, I have chosen my word carefully. The narrator went from open, intellectual, sympathetic to a full blown, one sided shi'i propagandist who outright denies every aspect of Sunnism in odds with his newly found passion. Hence it fails to present Shi'ism in the best light.
Conclusion:
The book is a good read, despite my criticism aforementioned, it is still a well researched book containing many verifiable facts that Sunni scholars fail to acknowledge or deliberately ignore. It also shows me that truth is never singular, a nation, a religion's collective truth is simply the culmination of a collective emotion forged in a succession of decisive historical moments. And we, trying to discern such "truths" must take both opposing sides into equal consideration.
it is perhaps worthy to mention that my own intention of starting this book was due to my growing curiosity and sympathy towards shi'ism. By and large, The book somehow unintendedly did the opposite job. I am able to see clearly why such a significant portion of Sunni muslims hold Shi'ites in contempt. Having said this, it still confirmed some of my positive views on Shi'ism and I am grateful for the author's effort.
June 26, 2021
This is an excellent book to clear popular misconceptions about Shias and the history of sectarianism. It is written from the perspective of a Sunni scholar who previously believed the negative narrative of Shias until he actually met one and took a journey to Iraq to learn about the basics of Shias. After leaving Iraq, he is troubled by doubt and in order to be at peace and rid himself of bias, he researches Shi'iism through Sunni hadiths agreed by both sects. Whether you are Sunni or Shia, I believe you can benefit from this book to learn your Islamic history as well as understand how this propaganda against Shias started and spread throughout history. If you aren't muslim, I still believe you could benefit from reading this to learn more about Islam and why Shias are a minority demonized by some that belong to the Sunni majority. This book is a good way to build your foundation and gives you a push to research these topics and more yourself. To not just follow either sect blindly but with assurance and information.
April 9, 2018
so profound. this book reminded me that the greatest blessing we have is our deen and the knowledge that comes with it. it is a vulnerable autobiography of a man learning to think freely and critically of his faith, which is something that resonates with me so much. often times, I think that we follow our religions blindly for fear of ostracization and even persecution, but i was reminded that with the strength only found in God, there should be no fear in seeking the truth.
October 13, 2021
Dalam pencarian kebenaran tempatkanlah hati diapit dua jurang kefanatikan dan egoisme, karena sesungguhnya kebenaran memang terkadang pahit, maka terimalah segetir apa pun itu.
Saya sangat merekomendasikan buku ini kepada Anda yang sampai detik ini masih sama sekali tidak tahu-menahu dengan mazhab Syi'ah, yang hanya bermodalkan perkataan dari temannya, ustadznya, atau bahkan sebatas membaca di sumber-sumber informasi yang sangat diragukan kebenarannya. Buku ini mampu menjelaskan dengan sangat apik dan fair perihal segala fitnah maupun cemoohan terhadap madzab Imam Dua Belas ini.
Intinya membacalah, karena dengan membaca kita jadi bisa membuka cakrawala-cakrwala baru di luar sana. Sungguh saya pribadi merasa kasihan kepada murid-murid seperjuangan di sana yang tidak boleh dibiarkan membaca sendiri, mengkaji sendiri, alih-alih hanya disuruh mengikuti apa kata gurunya. Walau dengan dalil bahwa sejarah itu sudah gelap dan tidak dapat dipercayai lagi kebenarannya, tapi ketahuilah, bahwa cahaya kebenaran milik-Nya pasti akan terus menyinari bagi yang memang sungguh ingin mencari. Long live Dr. Tijani!
Saya sangat merekomendasikan buku ini kepada Anda yang sampai detik ini masih sama sekali tidak tahu-menahu dengan mazhab Syi'ah, yang hanya bermodalkan perkataan dari temannya, ustadznya, atau bahkan sebatas membaca di sumber-sumber informasi yang sangat diragukan kebenarannya. Buku ini mampu menjelaskan dengan sangat apik dan fair perihal segala fitnah maupun cemoohan terhadap madzab Imam Dua Belas ini.
Intinya membacalah, karena dengan membaca kita jadi bisa membuka cakrawala-cakrwala baru di luar sana. Sungguh saya pribadi merasa kasihan kepada murid-murid seperjuangan di sana yang tidak boleh dibiarkan membaca sendiri, mengkaji sendiri, alih-alih hanya disuruh mengikuti apa kata gurunya. Walau dengan dalil bahwa sejarah itu sudah gelap dan tidak dapat dipercayai lagi kebenarannya, tapi ketahuilah, bahwa cahaya kebenaran milik-Nya pasti akan terus menyinari bagi yang memang sungguh ingin mencari. Long live Dr. Tijani!
July 25, 2018
Perjalanan, pengembaraan, pencarian haruslah melepaskan akal dan jiwa untuk berfikir dan merasa secara bebas. Pencarian tidak semestinya kepada sesuatu yang belum diketahui, boleh juga tentang menjumpai kebenaran terhadap sesuatu yang telah pun diketahui, tetapi dibutakan oleh dogma. Tradisi dan dogma haruslah dipecahkan dengan mencari dan meneliti banyak sumber yang pelbagai, merentasi kepercayaan, menembusi dinding-dinding sektarian, melangkaui sempadan budaya dan geografi, mencantas agenda politik dan meraikan interpretasi yang berbeza-beza.
Buku ini mudah dibaca, sangat baik ditekuni oleh semua Muslim, agar kamu kenal-mengenal, supaya tidaklah nanti kamu menentang dan menyakiti mereka kerana kejahilan kamu di dalam memahami mereka.
Buku ini mudah dibaca, sangat baik ditekuni oleh semua Muslim, agar kamu kenal-mengenal, supaya tidaklah nanti kamu menentang dan menyakiti mereka kerana kejahilan kamu di dalam memahami mereka.
September 10, 2019
mmmm...
this is my first time reading this kind of book..
i have mix feeling after i read his journey to become shia..
i like some story from this book but at the same time i feel uncomfortable when the book tell me story about sahabah, especially abu bakr and umar.
i recommend for a beginner to read this book because its very light to read and give us clear and basic understanding the difference between shia and sunni for us.
this is my first time reading this kind of book..
i have mix feeling after i read his journey to become shia..
i like some story from this book but at the same time i feel uncomfortable when the book tell me story about sahabah, especially abu bakr and umar.
i recommend for a beginner to read this book because its very light to read and give us clear and basic understanding the difference between shia and sunni for us.
February 10, 2025
A great book to read from a great scholar. Unlike many other books related to this topic that are full of references and read like a documentary, the author of this book has managed to educate the readers with the power of story telling. We get immersed into the authors world and the struggles, trials and tribulations they faced in changing their faith and finding light. An enjoyable and enlightening read.
June 26, 2018
Sebagai seorang sunni yang bersikap terbuka terhadap syiah, saya dapati buku ni banyak membuka mata saya. Bacalah dengan hati terbuka tanpa sifat prejudis dan kebencian nescaya anda akan lebih berlembut dengan fahaman syiah ini.
Bahasa yang digunakan juga mudah difahami dan ditulis ala memoir\travelog gitu.
Semoga lebih ramai muslim membaca buku ini.
Bahasa yang digunakan juga mudah difahami dan ditulis ala memoir\travelog gitu.
Semoga lebih ramai muslim membaca buku ini.
May 2, 2019
A nice story about a Sunni Sufi who came to the path of the Ahlul Bayt after learning the truth about Islamic history by some amazing shia scholars.
Introduced some strong points for the shias cause and has good arguments as well for why our worldview is more accurate.
Book can be boring at times. Good book for beginners.
Introduced some strong points for the shias cause and has good arguments as well for why our worldview is more accurate.
Book can be boring at times. Good book for beginners.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews