Shia Islam

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Karbala in 2019

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Investiture of Ali Edinburgh codex

Shia Islam is one of the two main branches of Islam, the other being Sunni Islam. It is distinguished by its belief in the Imamah, which is the concept that leadership of the Muslim community after Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam, belongs to Ali ibn Abi Talib and his descendants. Shia Muslims constitute about 10-15% of all Muslims, and they are the majority in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan.

Beliefs and Practices

Shia Islam holds several core beliefs that differentiate it from Sunni Islam. The most significant of these is the concept of the Imamah. Shias believe that the leadership of the Muslim community should be a hereditary position, passed down to the descendants of Muhammad, specifically those from his daughter Fatimah and her husband, Ali. This lineage is known as the Ahl al-Bayt, or the family of the house of Muhammad. Shias recognize twelve Imams, starting with Ali and ending with Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to be in occultation and will return as the Mahdi to bring justice and peace.

Another distinctive practice of Shia Islam is the commemoration of Ashura, the day when Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad and the third Imam, was martyred at the Battle of Karbala. This event is observed with mourning rituals and passion plays that reenact the battle.

Shia jurisprudence, or Fiqh, is another area where Shias differ from Sunnis. Shia Muslims follow a legal system that is derived from the teachings of the Imams, who are considered to have been divinely guided. The main sources of Shia jurisprudence are the Quran, the Hadith (sayings and actions of Muhammad and the Imams), consensus among Shia scholars, and reason.

History

The division between Shia and Sunni Islam originated from a dispute over the succession after the death of Muhammad in 632 CE. While Sunnis believed that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job, Shias held that Muhammad had appointed Ali as his successor. Ali eventually became the fourth caliph but his reign was fraught with conflict, culminating in his assassination. The martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala further solidified the division, and over time, these differences evolved into the distinct religious practices and beliefs seen today.

Throughout history, Shia communities have often been marginalized and persecuted by the dominant Sunni establishments. However, there have been periods where Shia dynasties, such as the Safavids in Iran, have risen to power and promoted Shia Islam as the state religion.

Shia Islam Today

Today, Shia Islam continues to be a major religious and political force in the Middle East and around the world. In countries like Iran and Iraq, Shia Islam plays a central role in the identity and politics of the nation. The annual pilgrimage to the shrine of Husayn in Karbala attracts millions of Shia Muslims from around the world, demonstrating the enduring significance of the martyrdom at Karbala.

Shia communities are also found in significant numbers in Lebanon, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan, among other countries. In these diverse contexts, Shia Muslims continue to practice their faith, sometimes in the face of discrimination and violence.

See Also

• Twelver
• Ismaili
• Zaidiyyah
• Karbala
• Ahl al-Bayt