Islam
The Shi'a (also Shi'ite) make up the second largest sect of believers in
Islam, constituting about 10-15% of all
Muslims. (The
largest sect, the Sunni Muslims, make up about 85% of all Muslims).
Shi'a Islam is the second largest
division of
Islam, constituting about 10-15% of all
Muslims. (The largest division,
Sunni Muslims, make up about 85% of all Muslims).
Shi'a Muslims accept
Ali, the son-in-law of
Muhammad, as the legal successor of Muhammad and
disregard three of the other four
caliphs who succeeded him.
Shi'a Muslims reside in all parts of the world, but
some countries have a higher concentration of Shi'a.
Iran is almost entirely Shi'a, and of the 95% Muslim
population of
Iraq, about 2/3 are Shi'a, despite having been long
ruled by the Sunni minority til recently.
Members of the
Bahá'í Faith also accept the
Twelver[?] Shi'a succession as having been valid,
though they believe that the Twelvth Imám has returned
as
Bahá'u'lláh and, as such, adhere to His laws,
Scriptures, and institutions instead of those of Islam.
see
Jafari --
Imam --
Fatimids --
Ismailis --
Sunni Islam --
Iraqi opposition
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There are two major groups of believers in Shi'a Islam, with the majority (primarily found in Iran and Iraq) following the
Twelver version of Shi'a. The term "Shia" is often taken to be synonymous with the
Twelvers. There are also several forms of
Sevener Shi'a sects, the largest being
known as Ismailis. The Seveners and Twelvers differ regarding the rights of
succession after the death of Muhammad, but they agree that the Sunni have usurped the rightful authority of Muhammad's family
descendants. Other minor groups exist that grew out of Shiism, such as the
Zaidis
who believe in the same first four Imams as the Twelvers and Seveners, but differ on the fifth. They are thus known as
Fivers.
According to the Twelvers, the twelve descendants of Ali are Imams and have a special status; they are less than the Prophet,
but higher than ordinary mortals. They are regarded as direct corporeal and spiritual successors of the Prophet, infallible,
divinely inspired, and chosen directly by God.
Both major Shi'a sects believe that the last Imam (either the Seventh or the Twelfth) has been hidden alive by God. This
hidden (occulted) Imam is capable of sending messages to the faithful. Some Iranian Shi'a believed that the late
Ayatollah Khomeini (not to be confused with
Ayatollah Khamenei, the current Supreme
Ayatollah of
Iran) received inspiration from the 12th and last Imam.
Beliefs vary as to what will happen when the last Imam, called the
Mahdi, or Savior, returns (though some sects reserve that title for
Jesus). It is generally believed that the last Imam will be accompanied by God's prophet Jesus and will affirm
Muhammad's message to mankind from God. In
Shia Islam, it is obligation of every
muslim to follow a living
Marja. There are many shia
Marja in world today like,
Ayatollah Khamenei,
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani,
Ayatollah Fazil Linkarani,
Ayatollah Sadiq Sherazi etc.
Some Shi'a Muslims sometimes beat their chests or cut their foreheads with a sword during the annual ritual to mark
Ashurah. This is, however, only a cultural practice that is not prescribed in any Shi'a
religious teachings. Ashurah day marks the Shi'a Muslim’s commemoration of the 7th century killing of one of their most
important imams, Imam
Husain. Husain (or al-Husain) was a son of Ali and the grandson
of Islam’s prophet Muhammad and is a symbol of martyrdom for Shiites.
Members of the
Bahá'í Faith also accept the
Twelver Shi'a succession as correct, though they also believe that the Twelfth Imám has
returned as the
Báb. The Bahá'ís are considered heretics by many Shi'ites.
See also:
Karbala,
Jafari,
Imam,
Fatimids,
Ismailis,
Sunni Islam,
Iraqi opposition,
Shia Imams,
Zaidi
External links
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