Portal:Shia Islam
Shia Islam
Shia Islam (/ˈʃiːə/) is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib (656–661 CE) as his successor (Arabic: خليفة, romanized: khalīfa) as Imam (امام, 'spiritual and political leader'), most notably at the event of Ghadir Khumm, but that after Muhammad's death, Ali was prevented from succeeding as leader of the Muslims as a result of the choice made by some of Muhammad's other companions (صحابة, ṣaḥāba) at Saqifah. This view primarily contrasts with that of Sunni Islam, whose adherents believe that Muhammad did not appoint a successor before his death and consider Abu Bakr, who was appointed caliph by a group of Muhammad's other companions at Saqifah, to be the first Rashidun ('rightful') caliph after Muhammad (632–634 CE).
Shia Muslims' belief that Ali was the designated successor to Muhammad as Islam's spiritual and political leader later developed into the concept of Imamah, the idea that certain descendants of Muhammad, the Ahl al-Bayt (أَهْل البَيْت, 'People of the House'), are rightful rulers or Imams through the bloodline of Ali and his two sons Hasan and Husayn, whom Shia Muslims believe possess special spiritual and political authority over the Muslim community. Later events such as Husayn's martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala (680 CE) further influenced the development of Shia Islam, contributing to the formation of a distinct religious sect with its own rituals and shared collective memory.
Shia Islam is followed by 10–15% of all Muslims. Although there are many Shia subsects in the Muslim world, Twelver Shi'ism is by far the largest and most influential, comprising about 85% of all Shia Muslims. Others include the Isma'ili, Zaydi, Alevi and Alawi. Shia Muslims form a majority of the population in four countries across the Muslim world: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. Significant Shia communities are also found in Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent. Iran stands as the world's only country where Shia Islam forms the foundation of both its laws and governance system. (Full article...)
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Did you know...
- ...that the Mourning of Muharram, observed by Shi'a Muslims, commemorates the anniversary of the death of Imam Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680?
- ...that due to the large number of pilgrims who visit Bahrain during Muharram (Muharram procession pictured), the country has been referred to as the "Karbala of the Gulf"?
- ...that Muslim ibn Awsaja al-Asadi was a companion of Muhammad prophet who participated at in Battle of Karbala as a companion of Hussain ibn Ali?
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- Mizan al-hikma, Volume 10, Page 504, Tradition 7109.
In the news
- 16 December 2024 – Syrian civil war
- The brother of the Imam of the Great Prophet Mosque of Masyaf is assassinated by unidentified gunmen, Hama Governorate, in a potential revenge operation, due to the Imam being associated with Hezbollah and other Iranian- and Shia-associated militias. (SOHR)
- 30 November 2024 – Syrian civil war
- The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) take control of the Shiite-majority towns of Nubbul and Al-Zahraa in Aleppo Governorate after Syrian government forces withdraw from the towns. (Kurdistan 24)
- 23 November 2024 – Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Sectarian clashes between Sunni and Shia fighters in Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, kill 33 people and injure 25 others. (AP)
- 22 November 2024 – Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sectarian violence in Pakistan
- Large crowds of protesters gather in Parachinar, Pakistan, to protest the massacre of 50 Shiite Pakistanis as well as the ongoing sectarian violence in the region. (Reuters) (MENAFN)
- 21 November 2024 – Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sectarian violence in Pakistan
- At least 42 people are killed and many others are wounded as gunmen open fire against two convoys carrying Shia people in Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. (Al Jazeera)
- 22 October 2024 – Islamic State insurgency in Iraq
- Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani announces the death of several Islamic State senior members, including the group's leader in Iraq, in a military operation in Saladin Governorate, Iraq. (The Washington Post)
On this day: 21 Jumada al-thani
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