Sometimes presented as Shi'ah, the Shia are a branch of Islam whose adherents believe that the Prophet Muhammad named Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor and leader.
In contrast, the Sunnis hold that Muhammad did not appoint a successor. Sunnis believe that all Muslims can have a direct relationship with God, while the Shia hold that intercession is an essential component of salvation.
For the Shia, Ali and the other Imams were divinely appointed guides for the Muslim world and intermediaries between believers and God. In their absence, local religious leaders could serve as community guides, but without intermediary or intercessory powers. Later, this developed into the practice in which a cleric might serve as the supreme guide and authority on Islamic law in the absence of an Imam.
The veneration of the Imams is central to Shiism. Central figures to the Shi'ite are the Fourteen Pure or Perfect Ones, who are the Prophet, Ali, and Fatima, as well as their sons, Hasan and Husayn, and the other nine Imams.
Along with the Holy Days that are celebrated by all Muslims, Shi'ites also celebrate the birthdays and days of death of the Imams, and visiting the tombs or shrines of the Imams is a major form of devotion.
While the Five Pillars of Islam and Sharia are the shared basis of faith and practice for all Muslims, the theological beliefs, and practices of the Shia differ in some ways from that of the Sunni.
While all Muslims pray five times each day, the Shia have the option of combining two of their prayer obligations with two others, as only three distinct times of prayer are mentioned in the Quran.
The Shia version of the Shahada, the Islamic profession of faith, differs from that of the Sunni in that it adds a phrase naming Ali as the Wali, or custodian of God, recognizing the authority of the family of the Prophet Muhammad.
Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was infallible. Twelver and Ismaili Shia Muslims attribute infallibility to Imams, as well as to Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad.
There are different branches of Shia Muslims.
The largest are the Twelver Shia. By default, the term Shia Muslim is often used to refer to the Twelvers. The doctrine of the Twelvers is based on five principles: monotheism, justice, prophethood, leadership, and last judgment. However, the Twelvers get their name from their veneration of the Twelve Imams, who are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad to the Twelvers and are infallible. Each Imam was the son of the previous Imam, except for Hussein ibn Ali, who was the brother of Hasan ibn Ali. They believe that the twelfth and final Imam will be Muhammad al-Mahdi, who they believe is currently alive and living in secret.
Another branch of Shia Islam are the Zaidi, also known as the Fivers. Zaidism is a Shia school named for Zayd ibn Ali. All Shia recognize the first four Imams, but the Zaidis recognize Zayd ibn Ali as the fifth and hold that any descendant of Hasan ibn Ali or Hussein ibn Ali could be Imam if he fulfills certain conditions. The Zaydis reject the doctrine of the infallibility of Imams, and also do not believe that the Imams receive divine guidance.
Also known as the Ismailiyyah, the Ismaili are named for Isma'il ibn Jafar, who they hold to be the divinely appointed successor to Ja'far al-Sadiq. There are several sub-groupings of Ismaili, the largest of which is the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, who are generally known simply as Ismailis.
The Occultation of some Shia Islam groups that a hidden Imam known as the Mahdi, a messianic figure, will return one day to fill the world with justice The Twelvers believe that the main goal of the Mahdi will be to establish an Islamic state, in which Islamic laws will be applied. They believe that the Mahdi is already on earth.
Zaidi and Nizari Ismaili Muslims do not believe in the Occultation, while Sunni Muslims believe that the future Madhi has not yet arrived on earth.
An individual member of the Shia branch is known as Shi'i or Shi'ite.
Most historians believe that Shi'ism began as a political faction within Islam rather than as a religious movement, while others argue that this cannot be accurately determined, given the interrelationships between religion and politics in Islam.
Although Shi'ites are estimated to make up only about twenty percent of the Muslim world, and have never constituted a majority, they have frequently been the ruling class in Muslim countries.
Today, countries with a Shia majority include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iran, and Iraq. They are the largest group in Lebanon but do not have majority status. There are large minority communities of Shi'ites in several African countries.
Sunni-Shia relationships have not been good historically, often involving violence, including war.
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Recommended Resources
Today, Shi'a refers to the followers of a particular school of Islamic thought, and is sometimes referred to as the school of Ahlul Bayt, the family of the Prophet. An introduction to Shi'a Islam is set forth, including various schools of Shi'a thought, biographies of significant Shi'a Muslims, poetry, book recommendations, and several video lectures. Misconceptions about Shi'a Muslims are dealt with, and contributions may be made online.
http://allaboutshias.com/
The member-supported, non-profit Islamic educational center serves the Iranian-American Muslim community in the Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware region. Its mission, weekly programs, and a calendar of programs and events are published to the site, along with an overview of its services and other available services, prayer times, information about supporting the program financially, and contacts.
http://www.mahdieh.org/
Midwest Association of Shia Organized Muslims
Located in Chicago, Illinois, MASON was organized to promote religious and educational activities pursuant to the advancement of the Shia Islam faith, to provide services and social ceremonies, to promote understanding, cooperation, and unity among Shia Muslims, and to facilitate the observation of Islamic and religious occasions, such as daily prayers, Friday prayers, Eid reunions, Majalis, and other special services.
http://www.masom.com/
Based in California, the Shia Muslim organization is made up of Urdu-speaking members from India and Pakistan, Persian-speaking members from Iran and Afghanistan, and Arabic speakers from Lebanon, Iraq, and other Arab countries, as well as English and Spanish speaking members. Its projects, academy, and locations are set forth, along with an Islamic calendar, presentations, media, and other Islamic resources.
http://www.saba-igc.org/
Focusing on Shia Islam, the site defines the term, Shia, and offers a profile of Shia Islam, as well as Islam in general. The twelve Imams are introduced, including Imam Mahdi, the twelfth Imam, who is said to have been born in secret and living in hiding. Also featured are the Du'as, including the text of the Fifteen Whispered Prayers, Dua Tawassul, Dua Nudbah, Dua Kumayl, Ziarat Aale Yasin, and Dua A'hd. Links to other Shia resources are also posted to the site.
http://thetrueshia.com/
Although the focus of this interactive online discussion forum is on Shia Islam, people from all cultures and ideologies are welcome to participate. Forum topics include theology, Islamic law, social and family issues, sciences, philosophical and interfaith debates, and others. Membership is free, but required for participation in forum discussions. Other features include a live chat, a blogging platform, and a question-answer service.
https://www.shiachat.com/
Offering television-based education on contemporary Islamic thought and the world, the network includes literature, speeches, discussions, debates, talks, and other cultural material, as well as entertainment features relating to Islam. Its channels and programs are featured, including an archive of past programs, playlists, and other videos. The benefits and opportunities provided through membership are set forth, and memberships may be purchased through the site.
http://www.shiatv.net/
Taking a stand against the practice, the site examines the ritual that is practiced by some Shia Muslims to commemorate the death of the younger grandson of Muhammad, Husayn Ibn Ali, which involves striking oneself with a sword on the head, causing blood to flow. Statements from several Islamic leaders are quoted, along with opinion pieces, and a book on the subject may be purchased online.
http://tatbir.org/
Offering a variety of resources relating to Shi’a Islam, the site’s topics include the fundamentals of Islam, the Fourteen Infallibles, biographical sketches of significant Muslims, daily supplications, textual resources and articles, and a directory of Islamic organizations and web sites. Answers to questions about Shi’a Islam are provided, and a monthly feature article is highlighted. Topics may be found by browsing or through site search.
http://www.shia.org/
