This article is about the Shi'a concept, for the more general Islamic term, see Imam.

Imamah (Arabic:إمام) is the Shi'a Islamic doctrine of political and spiritual leadership of a Caliphate headed by one of the infallible Imams from the blood line of Ali. This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ... Shī‘a Islam, also Shi‘ite Islam, or Shi‘ism (Arabic ) is the second largest denomination of the Islamic faith. ... Islamic leadership is what a Muslim leader is supposed to show, in order to lead in accordance to Islamic principles. ... The Caliphate (Arabic خلافة) is the theoretical federal government that would govern the Islamic world under Islamic law, ruled by a Caliph as head of state. ... Infallibility is the ability to be free from error (obtain certainty). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ...

Introduction

Islamic belief holds that Muhammad was the last Prophet. The Sunnis, the vast majority of Muslims, maintain that Muhammad intentionally did not appoint a Caliph (successor to his leadership) to lead the Caliphate and guide the Muslim community after his death. Thus, in the Sunni understanding, only the Qur'an and the Sunnah (example of Muhammad) would remain the sole authority in matters of faith (deen), while a Caliph should be elected by consensus (ijma) from amongst the community, whose authority would be temporal, not spiritual. For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ... Seal of the Prophets (Khatam-an-Nabiyyin) is a title given to Muhammad by a verse in the Quran 33:40. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Caliph is the title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... The Caliphate (Arabic خلافة) is the theoretical federal government that would govern the Islamic world under Islamic law, ruled by a Caliph as head of state. ... The Qurān [1] (Arabic: ‎, literally the recitation; also called ‎ The Noble Qurān; also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and Al-Quran) is the central religious text of Islam. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Fuad Bačković Deen Deen (born Fuad Backović on April 12, 1982 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) is a famous Bosnian singer who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the 2004 Eurovision Song Contest with the song In The Disco. ... Ijmāʿ (إجماع) is an Arabic tern referring to the consensus of the ummah, the community of Muslims, those practicing Islam, or of the ulema, those learned in the relevant topic. ...

Shias, on the other hand, believe that at any given time, humanity is in need of spiritual guidance, which is given by the Imam of the Time, who is the Guardian and leader of all Muslims politically and spiritually. They hold that Muhammad had explicitly designated his cousin and son-in-law Ali and his direct descendents, as his Khalif (Successor), and thereby as the Imam (leader) of the Muslim community. Thus, while the cycle of Nubuwwah (Prophethood) ended with Muhammad, the cycle of Imamah began with Ali, and would continue from amongst his direct descendants. An Imam is then, for Shi'a Muslims, a Leader, whose guidance is not limited to temporal matters, but also extends to spiritual matters, and whose prerogative it is to give the right interpretation of the Qur'an and gradually reveal its esoteric meaning. Shias believe only these Imams had the right to be Caliphs, and all other caliphs, elected by majority consensus Ijma, or not, were usurpers of the Caliphate. Shiʻa Islam (Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite) makes up the second largest sect of believers in Islam, constituting about 30%–35% of all Muslim. ... The Hadith of the current Imam is primary hadiths used by the Shia to justify their belief in Shia Imams. ... Wali (Arabic ولي, plural Awliya أولياء, Persian/Turkish pronunciation Vali), is an Arabic word, meaning protector or guardian (most literally etymologically near one), also adopted in various other Islamic cultures. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ... For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ... Nubuwwah means Prophethood and denotes that God has appointed perfect Prophets and Messengers to teach mankind Gods religion. ... Ijmāʿ (إجماع) is an Arabic tern referring to the consensus of the ummah, the community of Muslims, those practicing Islam, or of the ulema, those learned in the relevant topic. ... The Caliphate (Arabic خلافة) is the theoretical federal government that would govern the Islamic world under Islamic law, ruled by a Caliph as head of state. ...

Sects

Within Shi'ism, there are various sects that differ over the number of Imams, and the path of their succession; the majority sect among these are the Twelvers, then the Zaidis, and then the smallest Ismaili sect. There are major doctrinal differences between the Twelvers, and the Ismailis. Sunnis accept that Twelver & Zaidi Shia are fellow Muslims, albeit considered misguided, but reject the doctrine of Ismailis. After the claimed occultation of the twelth Imam, for the twelvers there was a long period of waiting for new authority until the Mahdi arrives, and in his absence was left a vacuum of leadership, dealt with by traditional twelvers with Quietism. However an alternative theory developed to fill the need, called Wilayat al-Faqih or the absolute guardianship of the jurists, popularised by Ayatollah Khomeini. According to it, those most knowledgeable about Islamic law (Shari'ah) should assume a political role in society, governing the Wilayah in which Shias live. This led to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Twelvers ( Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... Zaiddiyah (also: Zaidi, Zaydi, or in the West Fivers) refers to a sect within Shia Islam. ... The IsmāʿīlÄ« (Urdu: اسماعیلی IsmāʿīlÄ«, Arabic: الإسماعيليون al-IsmāʿīliyyÅ«n; Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmāʿīliyān) branch of Islam is the second largest part of the ShÄ«a community, after the Twelvers (Ithnāʿashariyya). ... In this July, 1997 still frame captured from video, the bright star Aldebaran has just reappeared on the dark limb of the waning crescent moon in this predawn occultation. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Quietism is a term with multiple meanings and definitions. ... For the doctrine, see Guardianship of the jurists (doctrine) For the book by Khomeini, see Waliyat al-faqih (book by Khomeini) For the book by Saleh Najaf-Abadi, see Waliyat al-faqih (book by Saleh Najaf-Abadi) This is a disambiguation page — a list of articles associated with the same... Ayatollah Khomeini founded the first modern Islamic republic Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini (آیت‌الله روح‌الله خمینی in Persian) (May 17, 1900 – June 3, 1989) was an Iranian Shia cleric and the political... Sharia (Arabic شريعة also Sharia, Shariah or Syariah) is traditional Islamic law. ... A wilāyah (Arabic: ولاية) or vilayet (Turkish: vilâyet) or (ولایت in Persian) is an administrative division, usually translated as province. ... Protestors take to the street in support of Ayatollah Khomeini. ...

Imams

Twelver view

Main article: Imamah (Shi'a twelver doctrine)

According to the majority of Shī'a, namely the Twelvers (Ithnā'ashariyya), the following is a listing of the rightful successors to Muhammad. Each Imam was the son of the previous Imam except for Hussayn ibn 'Alī, who was the brother of Hassan ibn 'Alī.The belief in this succession to prophet stems from various Quranic ayaths which include: 75:36, 13:7, 35:24, 2:30, 2:124, 36:26, 7:142, 42:23. They support their discussion by putting facts from Genesis verse 17,19–20 and sunni hadeeth:Sahih Muslim, Hadith number 4478, English translation by Abdul Hamid Siddiqui. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Twelvers ( Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... This article is about Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (626 – 680). ... Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib ()‎ (c. ...

The Twelvers further believe that the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdī, is believed to be in occultation and it is believed will reveal himself when God orders him to. He is said by the Twelvers to be commanded by God to appear when the world is in great turmoil and all the leaders of the nations try but fail to gain peace and stop the chaos. There are also many other Prophecies regarded Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi that have been fulfilled. A kunya is an Arabic honorific. ... The stylized signature of Sultan Mahmud II of the Ottoman Empire. ... The stylized signature of Sultan Mahmud II of the Ottoman Empire. ... For other uses, see Ali (disambiguation). ... For other persons named Muhammad, see Muhammad (name). ... Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib ()‎ (c. ... This article is about Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (626 – 680). ... Combatants Umayyads Banu Hashim Commanders Umar ibn Saad Husayn ibn Ali Strength around 30,000 72 or 145 [1] Casualties 88 (al-Tabari) 72 (al-Tabari) The Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, 61 AH (October 9 or 10, 680 CE) (Persian: ‎) [2] [3] in Karbala, in... Ali ibn Husayn, Zayn al-Abideen, (Arabic: علي بن حسين زين العابدين) ‎ (658 - 713) was the fourth Shia Imam (see Shia Imams). ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Muhammad al-Baqir Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (676 - January 31, 743) was the fifth Shia Imam. ... ... 15th century European portrait of Geber, Codici Ashburnhamiani 1166, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Florence Abu Musa Jabir Ibn Hayyan, in Latin Geber, was one of the most notable Islamic alchemists. ... Imam Musa al Kazim (November 10, 745 - September 4, 799) was the seventh Shia Imam (he is not accepted by the Ismailis as the seventh Imam). ... Imām ˤAlÄ« ibn-MÅ«sā ar-Riđā (Arabic: علي بن موسى الرضا) (January 1, 766 - May 26, 818) was the eighth Shīˤa Imām. ... Imam Muhammad al-Taqi (Arabic: امام محمد التقي)(April 12, 811 - November 27, 835) was the ninth Shia Imam in the Ithna Ashari (Twelver) tradition. ... Imam Ali al-Hadi (September 8, 828 _ July 1, 868) was the tenth Shia Imam. ... Hasan al-Askari (Arabic: الإمام الحسن بن علي العسكري) (December 6, 846 – January 1, 874), was the eleventh Shia Imam. ... For other uses, see Mahdi (disambiguation). ...

Ismaili view

Main article: Imamah (Shi'a Ismaili doctrine)

See also: Ismaili

The Ismailis differ from the Twelvers in that, they accept Ismail bin Jafar, elder brother Musa al-Kazim, as the rightful successor-Imam^[1] to his father Jafar al-Sadiq. Thus their line of Imams is as follows (note: figures in brackets indicate the years during which they were Imams): After Jafar al-Sadiq (703-765), the Ismaili consept of Imamah differentiated from the mainstream twelvers conspect of Imamah. ... The IsmāʿīlÄ« (Urdu: اسماعیلی IsmāʿīlÄ«, Arabic: الإسماعيليون al-IsmāʿīliyyÅ«n; Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmāʿīliyān) branch of Islam is the second largest part of the ShÄ«a community, after the Twelvers (Ithnāʿashariyya). ... The Ismaili ( اسماعيلي, Persian Esmaaili) branch of Islam is the second-largest Shia community, after the Twelvers who are dominant in Iran. ... Twelvers ( Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... Ismail bin Jafar (Arabic: إسماعيل بن جعفر) was the eldest son of the sixth Shia Imam, Jafar as-Sadiq. ... Imam Musa al Kazim (November 10, 745 - September 4, 799) was the seventh Shia Imam (he is not accepted by the Ismailis as the seventh Imam). ... ...

1. Ali ibn Abi Talib (632–661)
2. Husayn ibn Ali (669–680)
3. Ali ibn Husayn (Zayn al-Abidin) (680–713)
4. Muhammad al-Baqir (713–733)
5. Jafar al-Sadiq (733–765)
6. Ismail bin Jafar (765–775)

The Ismaili line of Imams continues undivided till Mustansir Billah (d. 1094), after which it divides into the Nizari and Mustali sects. Ali ibn Abu Talib (Arabic: علي بن أبي طالب translit: ‘Alī ibn Abu Ṭālib Persian: علی پسر ابو طالب) ‎ (599 – 661) is an early Islamic leader. ... This article is about Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (626 – 680). ... Ali ibn Husayn, Zayn al-Abideen, (Arabic: علي بن حسين زين العابدين) ‎ (658 - 713) was the fourth Shia Imam (see Shia Imams). ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Muhammad al-Baqir Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (676 - January 31, 743) was the fifth Shia Imam. ... ... Ismail bin Jafar (Arabic: إسماعيل بن جعفر) was the eldest son of the sixth Shia Imam, Jafar as-Sadiq. ... Abū Tamīm Maadd al-Mustanṣir bi-llāh (Arabic: المستنصر) ‎ (July 2, 1029 – January 10, 1094), was born in Cairo on 16th Jamada II, 420/ and eight months afterwards was declared to succeed his father. ... A sub-sect of the Sevener Shia Muslim Ismaili sect. ... The Mustaˤlī (Arabic: مستعلي) group of Ismāīlī Muslims are so named because they accepted al-Mustaˤlī as the ninth Fatimid caliph and the legitimate successor to his father, al-Mustansir. ...

Zaidī view

See Zaidi Zaidiyya, Zaidism or Zaydism (Arabic: الزيدية az-zaydiyya, adjective form Zaidi or Zaydi) is a Shī'a maðhab (sect, school) named after the Imām Zayd ibn ˤAlī. Followers of the Zaidi fiqh are called Zaidis (or are occasionally called Fivers in the West). However, there is also a group called the Zaidi Wasītīs who are Twelvers. Zaiddiyah (also: Zaidi, Zaydi, or in the West Fivers) refers to a sect within Shia Islam. ... Shī‘a Islam, also Shi‘ite Islam, or Shi‘ism (Arabic ) is the second largest denomination of the Islamic faith. ... Madhhab (Arabic مذهب pl. ... The Shia Imam is considered by the Shia sect of Islam to be the rightful successor to Muhammad, and is similar to the Caliph in Sunni Islam only with regards to the aspect of political leadership. ... Zayd ibn Ali (d. ...

Zaidi Imāms

Followers of the Zaidi fiqh recognise the first four Ithnaˤasharī Imams but they accept Zayd ibn Ali as their "Fifth Imām" instead of his half brother Muhammad al-Baqir. Twelvers ( Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... Zayd ibn Ali (d. ... Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Muhammad al-Baqir Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (676 - January 31, 743) was the fifth Shia Imam. ...

Please help improve this article by expanding this section. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. Please remove this message once the section has been expanded. This article has been tagged since January 2007.

Ali ibn Abi Talib (علي بن أبي طالب) (c. ... Al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib ()‎ (c. ... This article is about Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (626 – 680). ... Ali ibn Husayn, Zayn al-Abideen, (Arabic: علي بن حسين زين العابدين) ‎ (658 - 713) was the fourth Shia Imam (see Shia Imams). ... Zayd ibn Ali (d. ... Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ...

References

1. ^ Rise of The Fatimids, by W.Ivanow. Page 81, 275

See also

• Shi'a Islam
• Twelvers
• Imamzadeh
• Ismah
• Succession to Muhammad

Shī‘a Islam, also Shi‘ite Islam, or Shi‘ism (Arabic ) is the second largest denomination of the Islamic faith. ... Twelvers ( Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... The interiors of many Imamzadehs are covered with mirrors to create a brilliant display of light. ... Ismah is the concept of infallibility in Islam. ... Succession to Muhammad concerns the different viewpoints and beliefs that are held in relation to the succession to the leadership of the Muslim community, or ummah, after the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad Muhammad died in 632 CE. in Medina following a brief illness. ...

External links

• ALShiaTalk Discussion Forums
• Twelve Successors
• History of Ismaili Imams
• Bay Area Shiite-Muslims Association (basma.us)
• Graphical illustration of the Shia sects
• The Shia Islamic Guide (shiacode.com)
• Imamah in Sunni Islam
• Imamah according to Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah