Shi'a Islam Shi‘as Around The World Twelver Shi‘a Beliefs

Shi‘as (the adjective in Arabic is شيعى shi‘i; English has traditionally used Shiite) make up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 20%–25% of all Muslims. (The largest sect, the Sunni Muslims, make up about 75% of all Muslims).

1 Shi‘as around the world

Shi‘a Muslims live 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 80% are Shi‘a. Large Shi‘a populations are also found in Pakistan (20%), the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (19%), Bahrain (almost 80%), Oman, with smaller groups in other parts of the Persian Gulf.

2 Twelver Shi‘a Beliefs

The majority of Shi‘as are referred to as Twelver Shi‘as. This is so that they can be distinguished from other variants of Shi‘a Islam. Twelver Shi‘as believe in the imamate (leadership) of the twelve imams following the death of Prophet Muhammad. Twelver Shi‘as mostly live in Iran and Iraq.

Shi‘a Muslims believe that Ali, the son-in-law and cousin of Prophet Muhammad, was the first of the twelve imams appointed by God to succeed Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community. Shi‘as disregard the three caliphCaliph is the term for the Islamic leader of the Ummah or community of Islam. Selected by committee, the holder of this title claims rulership over all Muslims. The Sunnis and Shiites differ as to whom was the first Caliph of Islam. According to Sunni thos who succeeded him as illegitimate rulers who usurped power in contravention to God's command and the will of the Prophet Muhammad.

They believe that the twelve descendants of Prophet Muhammad are Imams (political and religious leaders) and have a special status. They are regarded as direct corporeal and spiritual successors of Prophet Muhammad. They are infallible, divinely inspired, and chosen directly by God.

There are two categories of Islamic theology, namely " Usuli " (rationalist) and " Akhbari " (traditionalist). According to Usulis, it is the obligation of every muslim to either be a marjaA Marja is the highest authority on religion and law in Shi'a Islam. Where a difference in opinion exist between the Marjah, Aalims (Religious Scholars) try to provide different opinions. Four senior Grand Ayatollahs constitute the Religious Institution H or follow a living marja. There are many Shi‘a marjas in the world today such as Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatollah Vahid-Khorasani , Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Ayatollah Sadiq SheraziSadiq Sherazi is an Ayatollah in the religion of Islam. External links ., etc. However, according to "Akhbaris," only Prophet Muhammad and the twelve imams should be followed absolutely.

3 Important Days

3.1 Ashurah

This is the 10th of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic year. This day marks the commemoration of Imam Husayn bin AliHusayn ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (c. 626 October 10, 680) was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and son of his daughter Fatima Zahra with Ali ibn Abu Talib. Husayn is revered by Muslims, and has a special importance to the Shia as their Third Imam by some's martyrdom. It is a day of deep mourning. HusaynHusayn ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (c. 626 October 10, 680) was the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and son of his daughter Fatima Zahra with Ali ibn Abu Talib. Husayn is revered by Muslims, and has a special importance to the Shia as their Third Imam by some was the third imam, a grandson of Prophet Muhammad (the son of Prophet Muhammad's daughter- Fatima) and a son of Ali. He is a symbol of martyrdom, and standing up against oppression for Shi‘a Muslims.

3.2 Arba'een

Arba'eenArba'een Arabic "forty") is a Shi'a religious holiday that occurs forty days after Aashura, the celebration of the martyrdom by beheading of Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Husayn and 72 supporters died in the Battle of Karbala in th is commemorated on the 20th of Safar, 40 days after Ashurah.

3.3 Eid al-Ghadeer

A celebration held on the 18th of Dhil-Hijjah marking the event of Ghadeer Khumm in 10 AH. The day on which God revealed to Prophet Muhammad to inform the people that Imam Ali would be his successor.

3.4 Eid al-Mubahila

A celebration held on the 24th of Dhil-Hijjah marking the event of al-Mubahila between the Household of the Prophet and a Chrsitian deputation from Najran, in 10 AH.

3.5 Milad al-Nabi

A celebration to mark the Prophet Muhammad's birth date, 17th Rabbi al-Awwal. Coincides with the birth date of the 6th Shi'a Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq (see Shia Imams). (The Sunnis mark the occasion on 12th Rabbi al-Awwal.)

3.6 Shab al-Bara'ah

Significant to all Muslims but specifically to Shi'as as it also marks the birth date of their 12th and final Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi.

4 Variants of Shi‘a Islam

The variants of Shi‘a Islam differ regarding the rights of succession after the death of Prophet Muhammad, but they agree that the Imams were usurped from their rightful position.

Sevener Shi‘as: The Ismailis are the largest group among Sevener Shi‘as. Fiver Shi‘as or Zaidis: A minor group that believes in the same first four imams as the Twelvers and Seveners, but differ on the fifth. They are thus known as Fivers. Sufis: This sect spread Islam in the southern Russia and Asian sub-continent. It is also known as esoteric Islam and uses mysticism for the core of its beliefs.

Both major Shi‘a sects (as do some Sunni Muslims) believe that the last Imam (either the seventh or the twelfth) has been hidden alive by God. This hidden (occulted) imam is capable of communicating with the faithful. Some Iranian Shi‘as believed that the late Ayatollah Khomeini (not to be confused with Ayatollah Khamenei, the current supreme ayatollah of Iran) received inspiration from the twelfth and last Imam. Beliefs vary as to what will happen when the last Imam, called the Mahdi ("the guided one"), returns (though some sects reserve that title for Jesus). It is generally believed that the last Imam will be accompanied by Jesus and will affirm Muhammad's message to mankind from God.

Bahá'í Faith: This religion accepts the Twelver Shi‘a succession as correct, though they also believe that the twelfth Imam is the Báb. The Bahá'ís are considered heretics by many Shi‘a Muslims.

6 External links

Arab Shi'a Islam

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