One of the contemporary converts (those who have come to recognize the truth of Shi’ism) and a specialist in the human and empirical sciences is Dr. Saeed Yaqub. He was born in 1947 in Acre, Palestine, into a Shafi‘i Sunni family of Hijazi origin that had migrated there in 1899.
In 1989, after a long period of searching and verifying the truth of Shi’ism, he embraced the Twelver Shi’a faith.
Saeed Yaqub pursued his university education up to the doctoral level in philosophy in the United States.
Alongside this, he also studied medicine and specialized in neurology and psychiatry.
In addition to these, he has been active in other fields as well. Besides his academic articles, he has published 14 books. He is also a member of the Arab Writers Union and a founding member of the Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists in Damascus.
- Fields of Intellectual Transformation
- Religious Research
According to Saeed Yaqub, thought must be alive, dynamic, and free from rigidity, and this is achieved through debate and dialogue on Islamic beliefs. He believes it is a mistake to confine human thought within any rigid framework that cannot be questioned or reconsidered, as this leads to intellectual stagnation and prevents human beings from scientific progress and practical experience in all fields.
In his view, every person’s intellect must pursue understanding with great precision, taking into account the characteristics of each time and place.
With this mindset, Saeed Yaqub began researching all areas of religion and continued along this path to ensure that his beliefs were based on evidence and reasoning. He studied religious texts in depth, compared the arguments of various Islamic schools of thought, and engaged in discussions with experts and scholars.
He never hesitated in this journey because he believed that there is great benefit in keeping such dialogues alive among Muslims. He strongly believed that closing the door to discussion is completely wrong, as research is a pure spring that quenches the thirst of those seeking truth.
- Liberation from Blind Imitation
Saeed Yaqub investigated the issue of blind imitation and the uncritical acceptance of inherited beliefs from forefathers, because he believed this practice blocks the path of a true researcher and prevents one from recognizing the truth. He observed that ancestors often establish methods, principles, or institutions that they claim represent religion, insisting that these must never be questioned or abandoned.
However, imitators lack the capacity to search, as they have become accustomed to adopting the views of others without the effort of investigation or critical thinking. Their inner drive for inquiry and curiosity has faded away.
Therefore, Saeed Yaqub abandoned the blind imitation of inherited beliefs and severed ties with such notions. He engaged in research with full objectivity, allowing evidence and reasoning to guide him toward the path of truth.
Reasons for Inclination toward Shi’ism
- The Subject of Imamate
One of the most important topics that drew Saeed Yaqub’s attention was the issue of Imamate, as he realized that it plays a significant role in the lives of Muslims. Researching this subject has occupied a major part of human intellectual effort since ancient times.
He viewed Imamate as a personal human necessity, not merely a religious or doctrinal one.
Yaqub states that debate on this matter holds a unique place in Islamic culture—so much so that some people even consider discussing it to be impermissible and see approaching it as a serious risk.
- Influence of Imam Ali’s Personality
He did not pay attention to baseless claims and continued his search until he reached the life and conduct of Imam Ali as the supreme example of Imamate among Muslims. Imam Ali’s Imamate holds such sanctity that if the word “Imam” is mentioned without any qualifier, the first name that immediately comes to mind is “Ali,” because he fully embodied the qualities of the perfect human being.
After some time researching Imam Ali’s personality, Saeed Yaqub realized that following Ali is the only path that leads a person to God. Whoever is guided by the path of Ali enters the city of the Prophet’s knowledge and the realm of Muhammad’s mercy.
Through this realization, Saeed Yaqub engaged with the thought of Imam Ali’s school, drank from its spring, and understood that it guides him toward the truth.
Imam Ali is the rightful successor to the Messenger of God, and the Prophet explicitly declared his Imamate on multiple occasions.
Once the truth became as clear to Saeed as the sun in the middle of the sky, he abandoned all his former beliefs and embraced the doctrine of Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet).
– Mi’raj al-Hidaya: A Study on Imam Ali and the Method of Imamate: This work revolves around three main themes:
- a) Explaining the nature of Imamate from both an individual and social perspective
- b) Applying the results of this nature to several personalities
- c) The approach Imam Ali took to strengthen a humanistic Islam.
This book was published by the Center for Doctrinal Research in 1424 AH as part of the series Azimat ila Thaqalayn.
– Among his other works, especially in the field of medicine, are the following:
A Study on the Mechanisms of Psychological Adaptation
Horizons of the Human Soul
Psychology and Psychiatry among the Arabs
The Historical Biography of Arab Civilization
The Dialectics of the Soul and Poetry among the Arabs
Child Psychology
Jan 28 2026
Converted to Shia Islam – Saeed Yaqub
One of the contemporary converts (those who have come to recognize the truth of Shi’ism) and a specialist in the human and empirical sciences is Dr. Saeed Yaqub. He was born in 1947 in Acre, Palestine, into a Shafi‘i Sunni family of Hijazi origin that had migrated there in 1899.
In 1989, after a long period of searching and verifying the truth of Shi’ism, he embraced the Twelver Shi’a faith.
Saeed Yaqub pursued his university education up to the doctoral level in philosophy in the United States.
Alongside this, he also studied medicine and specialized in neurology and psychiatry.
In addition to these, he has been active in other fields as well. Besides his academic articles, he has published 14 books. He is also a member of the Arab Writers Union and a founding member of the Union of Palestinian Writers and Journalists in Damascus.
According to Saeed Yaqub, thought must be alive, dynamic, and free from rigidity, and this is achieved through debate and dialogue on Islamic beliefs. He believes it is a mistake to confine human thought within any rigid framework that cannot be questioned or reconsidered, as this leads to intellectual stagnation and prevents human beings from scientific progress and practical experience in all fields.
In his view, every person’s intellect must pursue understanding with great precision, taking into account the characteristics of each time and place.
With this mindset, Saeed Yaqub began researching all areas of religion and continued along this path to ensure that his beliefs were based on evidence and reasoning. He studied religious texts in depth, compared the arguments of various Islamic schools of thought, and engaged in discussions with experts and scholars.
He never hesitated in this journey because he believed that there is great benefit in keeping such dialogues alive among Muslims. He strongly believed that closing the door to discussion is completely wrong, as research is a pure spring that quenches the thirst of those seeking truth.
Saeed Yaqub investigated the issue of blind imitation and the uncritical acceptance of inherited beliefs from forefathers, because he believed this practice blocks the path of a true researcher and prevents one from recognizing the truth. He observed that ancestors often establish methods, principles, or institutions that they claim represent religion, insisting that these must never be questioned or abandoned.
However, imitators lack the capacity to search, as they have become accustomed to adopting the views of others without the effort of investigation or critical thinking. Their inner drive for inquiry and curiosity has faded away.
Therefore, Saeed Yaqub abandoned the blind imitation of inherited beliefs and severed ties with such notions. He engaged in research with full objectivity, allowing evidence and reasoning to guide him toward the path of truth.
Reasons for Inclination toward Shi’ism
One of the most important topics that drew Saeed Yaqub’s attention was the issue of Imamate, as he realized that it plays a significant role in the lives of Muslims. Researching this subject has occupied a major part of human intellectual effort since ancient times.
He viewed Imamate as a personal human necessity, not merely a religious or doctrinal one.
Yaqub states that debate on this matter holds a unique place in Islamic culture—so much so that some people even consider discussing it to be impermissible and see approaching it as a serious risk.
He did not pay attention to baseless claims and continued his search until he reached the life and conduct of Imam Ali as the supreme example of Imamate among Muslims. Imam Ali’s Imamate holds such sanctity that if the word “Imam” is mentioned without any qualifier, the first name that immediately comes to mind is “Ali,” because he fully embodied the qualities of the perfect human being.
After some time researching Imam Ali’s personality, Saeed Yaqub realized that following Ali is the only path that leads a person to God. Whoever is guided by the path of Ali enters the city of the Prophet’s knowledge and the realm of Muhammad’s mercy.
Through this realization, Saeed Yaqub engaged with the thought of Imam Ali’s school, drank from its spring, and understood that it guides him toward the truth.
Imam Ali is the rightful successor to the Messenger of God, and the Prophet explicitly declared his Imamate on multiple occasions.
Once the truth became as clear to Saeed as the sun in the middle of the sky, he abandoned all his former beliefs and embraced the doctrine of Ahl al-Bayt (the family of the Prophet).
– Mi’raj al-Hidaya: A Study on Imam Ali and the Method of Imamate: This work revolves around three main themes:
This book was published by the Center for Doctrinal Research in 1424 AH as part of the series Azimat ila Thaqalayn.
– Among his other works, especially in the field of medicine, are the following:
A Study on the Mechanisms of Psychological Adaptation
Horizons of the Human Soul
Psychology and Psychiatry among the Arabs
The Historical Biography of Arab Civilization
The Dialectics of the Soul and Poetry among the Arabs
Child Psychology
By english • Shia converts magazine • 0 • Tags: Converted to Shia, Converted to shia Islam, Mostabserin, Reborn, Saeed Yaqub