Shia Islam

Shias (the adjective in Arabic is shi?i; English has traditionally used Shiite) make up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 10%?15% of all Muslims. (The largest sect, the Sunni Muslims, make up about 85% of all Muslims).

Shias around the world

Shia Muslims live in all parts of the world, but some countries have a higher concentration of Shia. Iran is almost entirely Shia, and of the 95% Muslim population of Iraq, about 2/3 are Shia. Large Shia populations are also found in Pakistan (20%), the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia (19%), Bahrain (almost 70%), Oman, with smaller groups in other parts of the Persian Gulf.

Twelver Shia Beliefs

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

Shia Muslims believe that Ali, the son-in-law and cousin of Muhammad, was the first of the twelve imams appointed by God to succeed Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community. Shias disregard the three caliphs who succeeded him.

They believe that the twelve descendants of Muhammad are imams (leaders) and have a special status. They are regarded as direct corporeal and spiritual successors of 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 marja or follow a living marja. There are many Shia marjas in the world today such as, Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatollah Vahid-Khorasani, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Ayatollah Sadiq Sherazi, etc. However, according to "Akhbaris", only Muhammad and the twelve imams should be followed absolutely.

Important Days

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 Ali's martyrdom. It is a day of deep mourning. Husayn was the third imam, a grandson of Muhammad and a son of Ali. He is a symbol of martyrdom for Shia Muslims.

Arba'een

Arba'een is commemorated on the 20th of Safar, 40 days after Ashurah.

Eid al-Ghadeer A celebration held on the 18th of Dhil-Hijjah marking the event of Ghadeer Khumm in 10 AH.

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.

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 shia Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq (see Shia Imams). (The Sunnis mark the occasion on 12th Rabbi al-Awwal.)

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

Variants of Shia Islam The variants of Shia Islam differ regarding the rights of succession after the death of Muhammad, but they agree that the imams were usurped from their rightful position.

Sevener Shias: The Ismailis are the largest group among Sevener Shias.

Fiver Shias 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 sects 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 Shias 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.

Bah? Faith: This religion accepts the Twelver Shia succession as correct, though they also believe that the twelfth imam is the B? The Bah?s are considered heretics by many Shia Muslims