Shia Islam
Shia Islam is one of the two main branches of Islam, the other being Sunni Islam. The word "Shia" is derived from Shīʿa, which means "followers", "faction", or "party" in Arabic, and historically refers to the followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, whom they consider as the rightful first Imam or leader after Muhammad's death.
History and Origin
- Early Development: The roots of the Shia-Sunni divide can be traced back to the question of succession after Muhammad's death in 632 CE. While the majority of Muslims supported Abu Bakr as the first Caliph, a group argued that leadership should have remained within Muhammad's family, specifically with Ali.
- The First Fitna: This disagreement led to the First Fitna, a civil war between Ali's supporters and the supporters of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan, and his successor Muawiyah I.
- Formation of Shia Identity: Over time, the followers of Ali and his descendants developed distinct theological and legal positions, emphasizing the divine nature of Imamate and the spiritual authority of Imamah (the leadership of the Imams).
Beliefs and Practices
- Imamate: Shia Muslims believe in the concept of Imamate, where Imams are seen as divinely appointed leaders who possess both political and spiritual authority. The number of Imams varies among different Shia sects, with the largest group, the Twelver Shia, recognizing twelve Imams.
- Martyrdom and Suffering: Central to Shia Islam is the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, Muhammad's grandson, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, which is commemorated during Ashura.
- Rituals: Shia Muslims observe unique religious practices such as mourning rituals during Muharram, including processions and the reenactment of Karbala.
- Jurisprudence: Shia jurisprudence (Fiqh) differs from Sunni jurisprudence in several ways, including the role of reason and consensus in deriving religious laws.
Subdivisions
Shia Islam includes several subgroups:
- Twelver Shia (Ithnā'ashariyyah) - The largest branch, which believes in twelve Imams, the last of whom, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is in occultation and will return as the Mahdi.
- Ismaili - Recognize a different line of Imams, with the current Imam being the Aga Khan.
- Zaydi Shia - Follow Zayd ibn Ali as the fifth Imam and accept any descendant of Hasan or Husayn who rises against tyranny as a potential Imam.
Demographics and Geography
Shia Muslims constitute approximately 10-15% of the world's Muslim population. They are predominant in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and parts of Lebanon, Azerbaijan, and Yemen. Significant Shia minorities exist in Pakistan, India, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia.
Modern Shia Movements
- The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, led by Ruhollah Khomeini, marked a significant event in Shia history, establishing the first modern Shia theocratic government.
- Hezbollah, a Shia political and military organization in Lebanon, has played a pivotal role in regional politics.
- Shia political activism has grown in various countries, often in response to or against Sunni-dominated governance.
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