Shia Islam

Shia Islam is one of the two major branches of Islam, smaller in followers than Sunni Islam. The term 'Shia' originally means 'group' or 'followers', and historically referred to those who supported Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and companion of the Prophet Muhammad.

The central doctrine of Shia Islam is the concept of imamah: the belief that leadership of the Muslim community should have continued through Ali and his descendants, descended from Fatima, the Prophet's daughter. Sunni Muslims believe leadership should be determined by consultation and community consensus, which is the fundamental difference between the two branches.

Historical Origins

The split began after the Prophet Muhammad's death, when Abu Bakr was chosen as the first caliph. A group held that Ali had a stronger claim to leadership. Tensions increased during the conflicts between Ali and the subsequent caliphate, and took explicit religious form with the events at Karbala, where Hussein, the son of Ali, was killed. Karbala became a symbol of remembrance and a religious observance for Shia Islam, particularly on the day of Ashura.

Branches

Shia Islam is not a single group. The largest branch is Twelver Shia (Ithnā Asharīyah), which recognizes twelve imams, with the final imam in occultation (ghayba) awaiting his return. Other branches include Ismaili Shia, which diverged after the succession of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq, and Zaydi Shia, which in some legal matters resembles certain Sunni approaches.

Doctrine and Practice

Shia Islam draws on traditions transmitted from the imams and has its own system of jurisprudence—for Twelver Shia, known as the Jafari school. Visitation of the shrines of the imams, such as those in Najaf and Karbala in Iraq and Mashhad in Iran, is an important practice. Shia scholars hold ranks such as Ayatollah, and exercise the role of marja (source of emulation) in matters of religious law.

Geography

Shias form the majority in Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, and are substantial populations in Bahrain, Lebanon, Yemen, Pakistan, India, and eastern Saudi Arabia. They have contributed historically to Islamic philosophy, the rational approach to jurisprudence, and the literature of Karbala commemoration.