Shia Islam

Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It began with the belief that after the prophet Muhammad passed away, his cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib was the right person to lead the Muslim community. Shia Muslims think Ali was chosen by Muhammad himself to be the leader, or caliph, but this was not accepted by others. Instead, another man named Abu Bakr became the first caliph, which Shia Muslims see as a mistake.

Shia Muslims believe that leadership should have stayed within Ali's family. They respect Ali and his sons, Hasan and Husayn, and many other family members as holy leaders called imams. Important places for Shia Muslims to visit include holy sites like the shrine of Ali in Najaf and the shrine of Husayn in Karbala.

Today, Shia Muslims make up about 10–13% of all Muslims, with around 200–260 million people following this faith. They are most common in countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. There are also big communities in places like Lebanon and parts of India. Shia Islam has several groups, but the three main ones are Twelverism, Isma'ilism, and Zaydism.

Terminology

The word Shia (or Shīʿa) comes from shīʿatu ʿAlī, meaning "followers of Ali." In Arabic, "Shīʿa" means supporters. Shia Islam is also called Shiism, and Shia Muslims are known as Shiites.

The term Shia was used even during the time of Muhammad. Today, it refers to Muslims who believe that after Muhammad, the leadership of the Muslim community should have gone to ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, who was Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, and to his successors.

History

Main article: History of Shia Islam

The original Shia identity referred to the followers of Imam ʿAlī, and Shia beliefs began to form after the hijra in the 7th century CE. The first Shia governments started by the end of the 9th century. The 10th century is often called "the Shiite Ismaili century in the history of Islam."

Origins

Main articles: Origin of Shia Islam, Ali ibn Abi Talib, and First Fitna

The Shia, originally the supporters of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, Muhammad's cousin and Fatima's husband, began as a group loyal to him during the First Fitna (656–661). Shia belief centers on the idea that ʿAlī was chosen to lead the Muslim community after Muhammad's death in 632. While the origins of Shia Islam are debated, many historians see it as more of a political group at first rather than a religious movement.

Shia Muslims believe Muhammad clearly chose ʿAlī as his successor during a speech at Ghadir Khumm, saying, "Anyone who has me as their leader, has ʿAlī as their leader." When Muhammad died in 632 CE, ʿAlī and his family were busy preparing his body for burial. During this time, Abū Bakr, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, and Abu Ubaidah ibn al Jarrah met with leaders in Medina and chose Abū Bakr as the first caliph. While Sunni Muslims see this as a legitimate choice, ʿAlī's supporters felt it went against Muhammad's wishes. Abū Bakr led from 632 to 634, followed by ʿUmar (634–644) and ʿUthmān (644–656).

Hasan, Husayn, and Karbala

Main articles: Hasan ibn Ali, Husayn ibn Ali, and Battle of Karbala

After ʿAlī's death, his older son Ḥasan became leader. After some conflicts, Ḥasan agreed to give up leadership to Muawiyah in exchange for peace. Ḥasan later died in Medina in 670 CE.

Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī, ʿAlī's younger son, was asked to lead by people in Kufa but was intercepted by Yazid's army near Karbala. Rather than surrender, Ḥusayn and his followers chose to fight. In the Battle of Karbala, Ḥusayn and about 72 of his family and followers were killed. The Shia community sees Ḥusayn as a martyr and an important leader. The Battle of Karbala is seen as a key moment that separated Shia and Sunni Islam. The event is remembered on the Day of Ashura.

Imamate of the Ahl al-Bayt

Main article: Imamate in Shia doctrine

Later, most Shia groups, including Twelvers and Ismāʿīlīs, became Imamis. Shia Muslims believe Imams are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad. They are seen as just leaders who can guide the community and understand religious law. ʿAlī was the first Imam, followed by male descendants of Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah.

Imam Mahdi, last Imam of the Shia

Main articles: Mahdi, Muhammad al-Mahdi, Occultation (Islam), and Reappearance of Hujjat Allah al-Mahdi

Further information: History of Shia Islam and Imamate in Shia doctrine

In Shia Islam, Imam Mahdi is seen as a future leader who will bring justice before the Day of Judgment. He is expected to rule for several years and will be helped by Jesus, who is also important in Islam.

Dynasties

Main article: List of Shia dynasties

In the centuries after the Battle of Karbala (680 CE), several nations appeared that were led by or had many Shia people.

• Idrisids (788–985): a Zaydi dynasty in what is now Morocco.
• Qarmatians (899–1077): an Ismaili Iranian dynasty. Their headquarters were in Eastern Arabia and Bahrain.
• Buyids (934–1055): a Twelver Iranian dynasty that ruled large parts of Iran and Iraq.
• Uqaylids (990–1096): a Shia Arab dynasty that ruled in parts of al-Jazira, northern Syria, and Iraq.
• Ilkhanate (1256–1335): a Persianate Mongol khanate in Iran. Later rulers, like Ghazan in 1295, chose Islam as the state religion and supported Shia Islam.
• Bahmanids (1347–1527): a Shia Muslim state in Southern India.

Fatimid Caliphate

The Fatimids (909–1171) controlled much of North Africa, the Levant, parts of Arabia, and the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The dynasty is named after Fāṭimah, Muhammad's daughter, from whom they claim descent. In 909, the Shia leader Abu Abdallah al-Shiʻi overthrew Sunni rulers in North Africa, founding the Fatimid Caliphate. Al-Qaid Jawhar ibn Abdallah, a Shia Fatimid general, led the conquest of North Africa and Egypt, founding the city of Cairo and the al-Azhar Mosque.

Safavid Empire

Main articles: Safavid dynasty and Safavid conversion of Iran to Shia Islam

The Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) in Persia was a major turning point for Shia Islam. It ended the tolerance between Sunnis and Shias that had existed since the Mongol conquests. It also made Twelver Shīʿīsm the state religion of the Safavids.

Beliefs

Shia Islam believes that the leader of the Muslim community should come from the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. This creates a unique system of religious interpretation and political authority.

ʿAlī: Muhammad's rightful successor

Main articles: Shia view of Ali and Succession to Muhammad

Further information: Ali in the Quran

Shia Muslims think that just like a prophet is chosen by God, only God can choose the successor to the prophet. They believe God picked ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib to be Muhammad's successor and the first leader of Islam. ʿAlī was Muhammad's cousin, closest living male relative, and son-in-law.

Profession of faith (Shahada)

The Shia way of saying the Islamic belief statement, called Shahada, is different from other Muslims. They add a phrase saying that Ali is a friend of God. This shows the importance of following Muhammad's family.

Infallibility (Ismah)

Infallibility means being protected from errors and sins. Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad and the leaders called Imams, along with Muhammad's daughter, were infallible. This means they always did what was right.

Divine justice (ʿAdl)

Divine justice is very important in Shia belief. It means that God is always fair and cannot do anything unfair. This idea makes Shia theology different from some other Islamic beliefs.

The Shia doctrine of prophethood (Nubuwwah)

Shia Muslims have a special view of Muhammad's role as a prophet. They believe his leadership began before the world was created. This makes his whole life very important for guidance.

Shia hadith epistemology

Shia Muslims have their own way of deciding which teachings from Muhammad and the Imams are trusted. They look at each follower of Muhammad carefully to decide if their stories are reliable.

Occultation (Ghaybah)

Some Shia Muslims believe in a hidden leader called the Mahdi who will return one day to bring justice. They think he is already on Earth but hidden.

Holy Relics (Tabarruk)

Shia Muslims believe that important items from prophets were passed down to the leaders from Muhammad's family. These items are very sacred.

Other doctrines

Shia Muslims think it is very important to use reason and intellect to understand God's signs in the world. They believe God gave humans the ability to think deeply about the universe.

Practices

Shia Muslims share many practices with other Muslims, such as praying five times a day. One difference is that Shia Muslims can combine some prayers together, like Dhuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Isha, because the Quran mentions three main times for prayer.

Shia Muslims celebrate several special days each year. These include Eid al-Fitr, which ends the month of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. They also observe Eid al-Ghadeer to remember when Prophet Muhammad announced Ali as his successor. Another important day is the Mourning of Muharram and the Day of Ashura, which remember Husayn ibn Ali, who was killed in Karbala. Other holidays include Arba'een, which honors the suffering of Husayn's family, and Mawlid, the celebration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

The holiest cities for Shia Muslims after Mecca and Medina are Najaf, Karbala, Mashhad, and Qom. These cities hold important shrines and sanctuaries that are visited by many Shia Muslims.

Demographics

Main article: Islam by country

Shia Islam is the second largest branch of Islam. About 10–13% of all Muslims around the world are Shia, which may be up to 154–200 million people. In some places, like Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, most people follow Shia Islam.

Shia Muslims make up a large part of the population in several countries. In the Middle East, they are about 36% of the people. In Lebanon, they are between 27% and 45% of the population. In Kuwait, they are about 30–35% of the citizens. Other countries with notable Shia communities include Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bahrain, where they make up between 5% and 45% of the population.

There are also important Shia groups in places like the coastal areas of West Sumatra and Aceh in Indonesia, and in parts of Nigeria. Small Shia communities exist in many other countries, often made up of descendants from people who moved there from South Asia long ago.

Major denominations or branches

Main article: Islamic schools and branches § Shīʿa Islam

Further information: List of extinct Shia sects and Schools of Islamic theology § Shia schools of theology

The Shia community has split into different groups over the years about who should be the leader, known as the Imam. The largest group is the Twelvers, followed by the Zaydīs and the Ismāʿīlīs. Each of these groups follows its own line of Imams. All Twelver and Ismāʿīlī Shia Muslims follow the same school of thought, the Jaʽfari jurisprudence, named after Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, the 6th Shia Imam. Shia clergymen and jurists usually carry the title of mujtahid.

Twelver

Main article: Twelver

Twelver Shia Islam is the largest branch of Shia Islam. The term Shia often refers to Twelvers. The name comes from the belief in twelve leaders, called the Twelve Imams. Twelver Shias are also known as Imami or Jaʿfari. They make up most of the population in Iran (90%), Iraq (65%) and Azerbaijan (55%). There are also many in Bahrain and Lebanon.

Twelver belief is based on five main ideas. These are:

1. Oneness of God: God is one.
2. Rightness: Doing what is right and fair.
3. Prophets: God sends guides called prophets.
4. Leaders: Special leaders, called Imams, chosen by God.
5. Last Day: God will judge everyone at the end of time.

Besides the Quran, Twelver Shias also learn from collections of stories and teachings from Muhammad and the Twelve Imams.

The Twelve Imams are important because they guide the Muslim community. They are thought to be free from mistakes and sin. The twelfth Imam, Hujjat Allah al-Mahdi, is believed to be in hiding and will return one day.

Ismāʿīlī

Main article: Isma'ilism

Ismāʿīlīs are also known as Sevener Shias. They believe that Ismāʿīl ibn Jaʿfar was the right successor to Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, the 6th Shia Imam, instead of his brother Mūsā al-Kāẓim.

After Muhammad ibn Imam Ismāʿīl passed away, Ismāʿīlī beliefs developed into what they are today, focusing on deeper meanings in the faith. The Nizārī community, often called Ismāʿīlīs, follow the Aga Khan. Another group is the Dawudi Bohras, led by a representative of a hidden Imam. Ismāʿīlīs live in many countries, including India, Pakistan, Syria, and Palestine.

Zaydī

Main article: Zaydism

Zaydism is a branch of Shia Islam named after Zayd ibn ʿAlī. Zaydīs believe that any descendant of Ḥasan ibn ʿAlī or Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī can be the next Imam if they meet certain conditions. Zaydīs make up about 40–45% of the population in Yemen.

Persecution of Shia Muslims

Main articles: Anti-Shi'ism and Shia–Sunni relations

Further information: Sectarian violence among Muslims

Throughout history, Shia Muslims have often faced unfair treatment and unfair actions from some Sunni Muslim groups. This started when the two groups began to form and has continued in different ways over time.

Some leaders in history saw Shia Muslims as a threat and tried to limit their influence. Even today, in some places where most people are Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims sometimes struggle to practice their faith freely and face unfair treatment.