Part of a series of articles on Islam For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ...     History of Islam For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Mosque02. ... The History of Islam involves the history of the Islamic faith as a religion and as a social institution. ...

Beliefs and practices

Oneness of God Profession of Faith Prayer • Fasting Pilgrimage • Charity This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... TawhÄ«d (also Tawhid or Tauhid or Tawheed; Arabic توحيد) is the Islamic concept of monotheism, derived from Ahad. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Tawhid. ... See Shahada (India) for the Indian town. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Hajj (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), (Turkish:Hac) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam. ... Zakât (or Zakaat or Zakah) (English:tax, alms, tithe) (Arabic: زكاة, Old (Quran) Arabic: زكوة) is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam in Sunni Islam and one of the Branches of Religion in Shia Islam. ...

Major figures

Muhammad • Ali Abu Bakr • Umar Household of Muhammad Companions of Muhammad Prophets of Islam This page is a list of Muslims in various professions and fields. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... ‘AlÄ« ibn AbÄ« Ṭālib (Arabic: ‎ Persian: ‎ )‎ (599 – 661) was an early Islamic leader. ... Abu Bakr As Siddiq (Arabic ابو بكر الصديق, alternative spellings, Abubakar, Abi Bakr, Abu Bakar) (c. ... For other uses of the name, see Umar (disambiguation). ... Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic:) is a phrase meaning People of the House, or family. ... In Islam, the Sahāba (الصحابة) were the companions of the prophet Muhammad. ... The Quran identifies a number of men as Prophets of Islam (Arabic: nabee نبي ; pl. ...

Texts & Laws

Qur'an • Hadith Jurisprudence • Theology Biographies of Muhammad Esotericism (Sufism) • Exotericism (Sharia) // Quran Text Surahs Ayah Commentary/Exegesis Tafsir ibn Kathir (by Ibn Kathir) Tafsir al-Tabari (by Tabari) Al Kordobi Tafseer-e-kabir (by Imam Razi) Tafheem-al-Quran (by Maulana Maududi) Sunnah/Hadith Hadith (Traditions of The Prophet) The Siha-e-Sitta al-Bukhari (d. ... The , (Arabic: recitation, also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and Al-Quran, Turkish Kuran), is the central religious text of Islam. ... Hadith (Arabic: hadÄ«th, Arabic pl. ... Islamic jurisprudence, Fiqh (in Arabic and Persian: فقه) is made up of the rulings of Islamic scholars to direct the lives of the Muslim faithful. ... Kalam (علم الكلم)is one of the religious sciences of Islam. ... For the river and also village in Norway named Sira, see Sira, Norway. ... Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a system of esoteric philosophy commonly associated with Islam. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Branches of Islam

Sunni • Shi'a • Ibadi The religion of Islam has many divisions, sects, schools, traditions, and related faiths. ... Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. ... Al-Ibadhiyah is a form of Islam distinct from the Shiite and Sunni sects. ...

Societal aspects

Academics • Theology Philosophy • Science Art • Architecture • Cities Calendar • Holidays Women • ..in the Qu'ran Leaders • Politics Islamism • Liberalism Muslim culture is a term primarily used in secular academia to describe all cultural practices common to historically Islamic peoples. ... Islamic Studies is the academic discipline which focuses on Islamic issues. ... Kalam (علم الكلم)is one of the religious sciences of Islam. ... Islamic philosophy (الفلسفة الإسلامية) is a part of the Islamic studies, and is a longstanding attempt to create harmony between faith, reason or philosophy, and the religious teachings of Islam. ... This is a subarticle to Islamic studies and science. ... Islamic art is the art of Islamic people, cultures, and countries. ... Islamic architecture, a part of the Islamic studies, is the entire range of architecture that has evolved within Muslim culture in the course of the history of Islam. ... // This is a list of cities that various groups regard as holy. ... The Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar (also called Hijri calendar, Arabic التقويم الهجري) is the calendar used to date events in many predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic holy days. ... Friday is an important day in the life of a Muslim and it is believed that any devotional acts done on this day gain a higher reward. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Islamic religious leaders have traditionally been persons who, as part of the clerisy, mosque, or government, performed a prominent role within their community or nation. ... This article or section needs a complete rewrite for the reasons listed on the talk page. ... It has been suggested that Islamic fundamentalism be merged into this article or section. ... Since the 19th century, Muslim progressives have produced a considerable body of liberal thought within Islam (in Arabic: الإسلام الاجتهادي or interpretation-based Islam; also الإسلام التقدمي or progressive Islam). These have in common a religious outlook which depends mainly on ijtihad or re-interpretations of scriptures. ...

See also

Vocabulary of Islam The following list consists of concepts that are derived from both Islam and Arab tradition, which are expressed as words in the Arabic language. ... This box: view • talk • edit

Shi'a Islam, also Shi`ite Islam or Shi`ism (Arabic: شيعة‎ transliterated: Shī‘ah Persian: شیعه‎ ) is the second largest denomination of the religion of Islam. Shi'a Muslims adhere to what they consider to be the true teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his Ahlul Bayt (family). Thus, Shi'as reject the rule of the initial three Sunni Caliphs as Sunnis reject the Imamate of the Shi'a Imams. The singular/adjective form is Shī`ī (Arabic: شيعي.) and refers to a follower of the Ahlul Bayt and of Ali ibn Abi Talib (Imam Ali) in particular. The Arabic alphabet is the script used for writing in the Arabic language. ... Due to the fact that the Arabic language has a number of phonemes that have no equivalent in English or other European languages, a number of different transliteration methods have been invented to represent certain Arabic characters, due to various conflicting goals: A desire to stay consistent with traditional usage... It has been suggested that Persian language#Arabic Alphabet be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, including people named Islam, see Islam (disambiguation). ... A prophet is a person who has directly encountered God, of whose intentions he can then speak. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This is an Arabic phrase literally translated as People of the House, or family. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Anglicized/Latinized version of the Arabic word خليفة or Khalifah, is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... 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. ... Ali ibn Abu Talib (Arabic: علي بن أبي طالب translit: ‘AlÄ« ibn Abu Ṭālib Persian: علی پسر ابو طالب) ‎ (599 – 661) is an early Islamic leader. ...

Etymology

Main article: Shi'a etymology

The term Shi'a comes from the Arabic word شيعة Shī`ah. The singular/adjective form of this name is Arabic Shī`ī شيعي. ImageMetadata File history File links Mawla. ... Shia (Arabic شیعه) is an Islamic term meaning follower or partisan. the singular/adjective form of this name is Arabic shi`i شيعي. The etymology regarding the phrase Shiat Ali is, according to Sunnite and Shiite sources, a phrase that stems from a designation by the... The Arabic language (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), or simply Arabic (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ...

"Shi'a" is the short form of the historic phrase Shi`at `Ali شيعة علي, meaning "the followers of Ali". Sunni and Shi`ah sources trace the term to Muhammad. The phrase Shi'a of Ali was historically a title given by Muhammad and later by his descendants in praise of `Ali's followers and those of Ahlul Bayt.

Overview

Shi'a Muslims believe that Muhammad's family (the Imams) were the best source of knowledge about the Qur'an, Islam, and Emulation (the best-qualified teachers of Islam after Muhammad), and the most trusted carriers and protectors of Muhammad's Sunnah (traditions). The , (Arabic: recitation, also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and Al-Quran, Turkish Kuran), is the central religious text of Islam. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

In particular, Shi'a Muslims recognize the succession of Ali (Muhammad's cousin, son-in-law, the first male to convert to Islam (second person only to Muhammad's wife Khadija) and the male head of the Ahl al-Bayt or "people of the [Prophet's] house") as opposed to that of the caliphate recognized by Sunni Muslims. Shi`a Muslims believe that Ali was appointed successor by Muhammad's direct order on many occasions, and that he is therefore the rightful leader of the Muslim faith pursuant to the Prophet's wishes. Ahl al-Bayt (Arabic:) is a phrase meaning People of the House, or family. ... An Anglicized/Latinized version of the Arabic word خليفة or Khalīfah, Caliph (  listen?) is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ...

This difference between following the Ahl al-Bayt (Muhammad's family) and Abu Bakr has shaped Shi`ah and Sunni views on some of the Qur'an, the Hadith, personalities in Islamic history, and other areas by extension. For instance, the collection of Hadith venerated by Shi'a Muslims is centered around narrations by members of the Ahl al-Bayt, while some Hadith by narrators not belonging to the Ahl al-Bayt are not included (those of Abu Huraira, for example). Abu Bakr As Siddiq (Arabic ابو بكر الصديق, alternative spellings, Abubakar, Abi Bakr, Abu Bakar) (c. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Hadith (Arabic: hadÄ«th, Arabic pl. ... The Suleiman Mosque (Süleymaniye Camii) in Istanbul was built on the order of sultan Suleiman the Magnificent by the great Ottoman architect Sinan in 1557 The History of Islam is the history of the Islamic faith and the world it shaped as a social, cultural, and political phenomenon. ... `Abdul-Rahman bin Sakhr Al-Azdi [AKA Abu Hurairah, Abu Hurayrah or even Abu Horaira. ...

Regardless of the dispute about the Caliphate, Shi'as recognize the authority of the Shi'a Imam (also called Khalifa Ilahi) as a religious authority, though different sects within Shi'a Islam dispute the rightful succession of this Imam and the current rightful successor (Twelvers, Ismalis, and Zaydīs, for instance). 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. ... Twelvers (Arabic: ‎ Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... 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. ... 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. ...

Demographics

Map showing religious (Shi'a and Sunni) diversity among the population of Iran.

See Demographics of Islam. According to most sources, including the US Library of Congress, present estimates indicate that approximately 85% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and approximately 15% are Shi`a. Today there are roughly 200 million Shi'as all over the world, and around three quarters of those reside in Saudia Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. ^[1][2] Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (980x970, 307 KB) (portion of Iran Country Profile) Source: Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at The University of Texas at Austin [1] License: Above a list of maps available for download, the web site has the text: The following maps... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (980x970, 307 KB) (portion of Iran Country Profile) Source: Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection at The University of Texas at Austin [1] License: Above a list of maps available for download, the web site has the text: The following maps... The following table analyzes the demographics of Islam as of mid-year 2005. ...

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Population

One of the lingering problems, according to Shi'a, in estimating the Shi'a population is that unless the Shi`a form a significant minority in a Muslim country, the entire population is often listed as Sunni. The reverse, however, has not been held true, which may contribute to imprecise estimates of the size of each sect.

A large portion of the world's Shi'a live in the Middle East. They constitute a majority in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. They remain as significant minorities in Yemen, Afghanistan, Syria, and Lebanon. About 20% of Turkey's Muslims are Alevi Shia.^{[citation needed]} A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ...

A substantial part of the populations of Persian Gulf countries (including Iran and Iraq) is also Shi'a.The highest Shi’a population in one country is in Iran being 93.4%. Map of the Persian Gulf. ...

The 1926 rise of the House of Saud in Arabia brought official discrimination against Shi'a ^[3]. The Shi'a-majority provinces of Hasa, Qatif and Hufuf on the Persian Gulf, and western Arabia provinces of Jazan, Asir and Hijaz, that had large Shi'a minorities, have officially been completely stripped of their religious identities. Shi'a claim that they endure much bigotry and other indignities from Walmens authorities daily and that Shi'a pilgrims from other countries are often singled out for harassment (see Status of religious freedom in Saudi Arabia). The House of Saud (Arabic: ‎ translit: ) is the royal family of Saudi Arabia. ... Hasa is a Korean military rank which is used in both the armed forces of North and South Korea. ... Qatif (Arabic: القطيف al-QaTiif) is a historic coastal city and oasis located on the western shore of the Arabian/Persian Gulf in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, some 13km north of the port city of Dammam and southwest of major oil port Ras Tanura. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ... Jizan (or Jazan) (Arabic: جيزان) is the capital of the Jizan Province in the far south-west of Saudi Arabia. ... Categories: Stub | Provinces of Saudi Arabia ... Hejaz (also Hijaz, Hedjaz) is a region in the northwest of present-day Saudi Arabia; its main city is Jeddah, but it is probably better-known for the holy city of Mecca. ... The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an Islamic theocratic monarchy without legal protection for freedom of religion, and such protection does not exist in practice. ...

Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India, also hold significant Shi`a minorities. Among smaller Persian Gulf states, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have significant Shi'a minorities, as do the Eastern Province and other regions of Saudi Arabia. Shi'as are also found, but not limited to, in some numbers in southeast Asia, from Vietnam (the Cham people) to Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Eastern Province (Arabic: المنطقة الشرقية al-Mantaqa ash-Sharqiyah) is the largest province of Saudi Arabia, located in the east of the country on the coasts of the Persian Gulf, and has borders with Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Yemen. ... This article is about the Cham people of Asia. ...

Doctrines

Main doctrines

A Shi'a man in prostration facing Mecca, performing morning prayers inside an Imamzadeh.

Shi'a believe in the five pillars of Islam, as do Sunnis, but categorize them differently. Shi'a beliefs include the following: Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (480x640, 258 KB)Imamzadeh Saleeh, Tehran. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (480x640, 258 KB)Imamzadeh Saleeh, Tehran. ... Mecca or Makkah (in full: Makkah al-Mukarramah; Arabic: ‎) is the capital city of Saudi Arabias Makkah province, in the historic Hijaz region. ... The interiors of many Imamzadehs are covered with mirrors to create a brilliant display of light. ... The Five Pillars of Islam is the term given to what are understood among many Muslims to be the five core aspects of Sunni Islam. ...

Roots of Religion (Usūl al-Dīn) In Shia Islam, the five Roots of Religion (UsÅ«l al-DÄ«n) are the five beliefs that Shia Muslims must possess. ...

• Tawhīd (Oneness): The Oneness of God
• Adalah (Justice): The Justice of God
• Nubuwwah (Prophethood): God has appointed perfect and infallible prophets and messengers to teach mankind the religion (that is, a perfect system of how to live in "peace"(("submission to God")).)
• Imamah (Leadership): God has appointed specific leaders to lead and guide mankind — a prophet appoints a custodian of the religion before his demise.
• Qiyamah (The Day of Judgment): God will raise mankind for Judgment

Branches of Religion (Furū al-Dīn) TawhÄ«d (also Tawhid or Tauhid or Tawheed; Arabic توحيد) is the Islamic concept of monotheism, derived from Ahad. ... Adalah means Justice and denotes The Justice of God The Shias consider Justice of God as part of Usool-e-Deen (Roots of Religion). ... Nubuwwah means Prophethood and denotes that God has appointed perfect Prophets and Messengers to teach mankind Gods religion. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Yawm al-QÄ«yāmah (Arabic: ‎ literally: Day of the Resurrection) is the Arabic name for the Last Judgement. ... In Shia Islam, the ten Branches of Religion (FurÅ« al-DÄ«n) are the ten practices that Shia Muslims must perform. ...

• Shahadah (Declaration) – the declaration that there is none worthy of worship except God (Allah) and that Muhammad is His messenger.
• Salat—called "Namaaz" in Persian (Prayer) – performing the five daily prayers
• Sawm—called "Roozeh" in Persian (Fast) – fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan
• Hajj (Pilgrimage) – performing the pilgrimage to Mecca. Also, one who has performed this Pilgrimage gains a prefix of "Haj—" in front of his name, Similar to one who gains the title of Dr. after aquiring a Phd. People with the title are treated with great respect as this is a great honor in islam.
• Zakat (Poor-rate) – paying the poor-tax
• Khums (One-fifth) – paying tax
• Jihad (Struggle) – struggling to please God. The greater, or internal Jihad is the struggle against the evil within one's soul in every aspect of life. The lesser, or external, Jihad is the struggle against the evil of one's environment in every aspect of life. This is not to be mistaken with the common modern misconception that this means "Holy War."
• Amr-Bil-Ma'rūf – commanding what is good
• Nahi-Anil-Munkar – forbidding what is evil
• Tawalla – loving the Ahlul Bayt and their followers
• Tabarra – dissociating oneself from the enemies of the Ahlul Bayt

See Shahada (India) for the Indian town. ... Allah is both the Arabic and Aramaic term for God in Abrahamic religions, and is the main term for God in Islam. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان ) is the ninth month of the Islamic year. ... The Hajj (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), (Turkish:Hac) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam. ... Mecca or Makkah (in full: Makkah al-Mukarramah; Arabic: ‎) is the capital city of Saudi Arabias Makkah province, in the historic Hijaz region. ... Zakât (or Zakaat or Zakah) (English:tax, alms, tithe) (Arabic: زكاة, Old (Quran) Arabic: زكوة) is the third of the Five Pillars of Islam in Sunni Islam and one of the Branches of Religion in Shia Islam. ... Khums (derived from the Arabic خمس or five) is a Shia article of faith that refers to a one-fifth tax, which all adult Muslims who are financially secure and have surplus in their income normally have to pay on annual savings, net commercial profits, and all moveable and... Jihad, sometimes spelled Jahad, Jehad Jihaad or Djehad, (Arabic: ‎ ) is an Islamic term, from the Arabic root (to exert utmost effort, to strive, struggle), which connotes a wide range of meanings: anything from an inward spiritual struggle to attain perfect faith to a political or military struggle to further the... Amr-Bil-MarÅ«f - Commanding the good, is a part of the Shia Branches of Religion and means to encourage people to do the necesary good in life, when they forget to do so; for example forgeting Salah. ... Nahi-Anil-Munkar - Forbiding evil, is a part of the Shia Branches of Religion and means for example to oppose injustice. ... Tawalla - Loving the Ahl al-Bayt, is a part of the Shia Branches of Religion and is derived from a Quranic verse. ... Tabarra - disassociating from Ahl al-Bayt enemies , is a part of the Shia Branches of Religion and means to disassociating from the enemies of God, Muhammad and the Ahl al-Bayt. ...

Additional doctrines

Main article: Additional Shi'a doctrines

Shi'a have many other doctrines that are shared with other Muslims, like wearing of the Hijab. However, some are seen as more predominantly used by Shi'as, like Dissimulation (Arabic: Taqiyya), which is the dissimulation of one’s religious beliefs when one fears for one's life, the lives of one's family members, or for the preservation of the faith, and "Fixed time marriages" (Arabic Nikah Mut'ah). There are Additional Shia doctrines besides the Roots of Religion and the Branches of Religion. ... Hijab or ħijāb (Arabic: حجاب) is the Arabic term for barrier. ... Dissimulation is a form of deception in which one conceals the truth. ... In Shia Islamic tradition, Taqiyya (التقية) is the dissimulation of one’s religious beliefs when one fears for ones life, the lives of ones family members, or for the preservation of the faith. ... It has been suggested that Mutta marriage be merged into this article or section. ...

Misconceptions

Main article: Misconceptions about the Shi'a

There are seemingly widespread misconceptions about the Shi`a doctrines, regarding how and why Shi'as uphold them. This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

It is often said that Shi'as worship or deify Imam Ali. This is not true. The term Shi'a literally means The Party. Early on, the Shi'as were referred to as Shi'at Ali, or The Party of Ali. As the majority of Muslims at the time of Muhammed's death favoured Abu Bakr as the Caliph, a portion of the population remained loyal to Ali, the prophet's son-in-law and cousin. Therefore, the Shi'as do not recognize Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman as the first three caliphs (Ali was recognized as the fourth caliph 656 AD).

Shi'a Islam was seen by some as a political-religious sect that recognizes the leadership of Ali and his decendants. Theologically, Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam do not differ, however many schools of thought that developed later on did become differentiated. Shi'a Islam claims it follows the words of Muhammed as given to him through divine guidance from God in the Qur'an.

Later on, however, a group called the Alawis (which is primarily located in Syria and Lebanon) claimed to be Shi'a and took an extreme view of Ali, holding him as God on earth (similar to the Druze holding Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah as God on earth). Since Shi'as denounced Alawis, Alawis broke apart and developed their own sect. Druze Star // Location The Druze reside primarily in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and Jordan. ... Hakim bi-Amr Allah (literally: Ruler by Gods Command), known as the Mad Caliph, was the sixth Fatimid Caliph in Egypt, ruling from 996 to 1021. ...

Shi'a Islam does not recognize Imam Ali as a prophet, or as a God on earth. He is seen as the proper leader of the nation of Islam after the death of the prophet Muhammed.

Denominations

• Most Shi'a are Twelvers and they recognize twelve imams.

1. Ali ibn Abu Talib (600–661), also known as Ali Amir al Mo'mineen
2. Hasan ibn Ali (625–669), also known as Hasan al Mujtaba
3. Husayn ibn Ali (626–680), also known as Husayn al Shaheed
4. Ali ibn Husayn (658–713), also known as Ali Zainul Abideen
5. Muhammad ibn Ali (676–743), also known as Muhammad al Baqir
6. Jafar ibn Muhammad (703–765), also known as Jafar as Sadiq
7. Musa ibn Jafar (745–799), also known as Musa al Kazim
8. Ali ibn Musa (765–818), also known as Ali ar Ridha
9. Muhammad ibn Ali (810–835), also known as Muhammad al Jawad (Muhammad at Taqi)
10. Ali ibn Muhamad (827–868), also known as Ali al-Hadi
11. Hasan ibn Ali (846–874), also known as Hasan al Askari
12. Muhammad ibn Hasan (868—), also known as Muhammad al Mahdi

• There are few groups of Ismaili Shi'a, which include Nizari Ismailis, Dawoodi Bohras, Alavi Bohras, and the Seveners. Nizaris are small in numbers, though they are the biggest non-Twelver Shia group. They accept Jafar as Sadiq's eldest son Ismail as the next Imam. Seveners do not recognize any further of the Twelvers' Imams beyond Jafar. The only major non-Twelver and non-Ismaili group are Zaidis.

Twelvers (Arabic: ‎ Ithnāˤashariyya) are Shiˤa Muslims who believe there were twelve Imāms. ... Ali ibn Abi Talib (علي بن أبي طالب) (c. ... For other uses, see number 600. ... Events Caliph Ali Ben Abu Talib is assassinated. ... Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abu Talib (c. ... Events October 27 - Pope Boniface V succeeded by Pope Honorius I. Births Adamnan, abbot of Iona Empress Wu Zetian of China Deaths Pope Boniface V Category: 625 ... Events Theodore appointed Archibishop of Canterbury Births Justinian II, Byzantine emperor Deaths Hasan ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad and second Shia Imam Categories: 669 ... HÌ£usayn ibn ‘AlÄ« ibn AbÄ« Ṭālib (Arabic: ‎ )‎ (626 – 680) was the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. ... Events July 2 - In the early morning, Li Shimin, the future Emperor Tang Taizong of China, eliminated two of his brothers, Li Yuanji and the crown prince Li Jiancheng in a coup détat at the Xuanwu Gate in Changan. ... Events October 10 - Battle of Kerbela November 12 - The Sixth Ecumenical Council opens in Constantinople The Bulgars subjugate the country of current-day Bulgaria Pippin of Herstal becomes Mayor of the Palace Umayyad caliph Muawiyah I succeeded by Yazid I ibn Muawiyah Erwig deposes Wamba to become king of the... Ali ibn Husayn, Zayn al-Abideen, (Arabic: علي بن حسين زين العابدين) ‎ (658 - 713) was the fourth Shia Imam (see Shia Imams). ... Events The union of Slavic tribes falls apart after Samos death Births Deaths King Samo of the Slavs Categories: 658 ... Events Byzantine Emperor Philippicus deposed. ... Events November 2 - Donus becomes Pope. ... Events Umayyad caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik (724-743) succeeded by al-Walid II ibn Abd al-Malik (743-744). ... Imam Muhammad al Baqir (676 - January 31, 743) was the fifth Shia Imam. ... Events Births Deaths Empress Jito of Japan In Other Fields 703 is the area code for telephone numbers in the Northern Virginia region of the United States. ... Events Papal privileges are restored in Beneventino and Tuscany and partly in Spoleto. ... Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (April 20, 702 – December 4, 765), in full Jafar ibn Muhammad ibn Zayn ibn Husayn, was the sixth Shia imam, and a theologian and jurist. ... Events Births November 10 - Musa al-Kazim, Shia Imam (d. ... Events 29 November - Pope Leo III, aided by Charles the Great, returns to Rome. ... 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). ... Events Papal privileges are restored in Beneventino and Tuscany and partly in Spoleto. ... Events Bishop Theodulf of Orléans is deposed and imprisoned after getting involved in a conspiracy of Bernard, king of Italy, against Louis the Pious Births Deaths May 26 - Ali ar-Rida, Shia Imam Categories: 818 ... Imam Ali ar Rida (January 1, 766 - May 26, 818) was the Eighth Shia Imam. ... Events October 1 - A man with a sword makes an attempt on emperor Nicephorus Is life. ... Events Ragnar Lodbrok rises to power (approximate date) The celebration of All Saints is made an obligation throughout the Frankish Empire and fixed on November 1. ... Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (April 12, 811 - November 27, 835) was the ninth Shia Imam. ... Events Succession of Pope Valentine, then Pope Gregory IV. Arabs invade Sicily. ... Events 11 May: Printing of The Diamond Sutra, the oldest dated printed book. ... Imam Ali al-Hadi (September 8, 828 _ July 1, 868) was the tenth Shia Imam. ... Events The Moors temporarily recapture León. ... Events March 13 - The bones of Saint Nicephorus are interred in the Church of the Apostles, Constantinople. ... Imam Hasan al-Askari (December 6, 846 - January 4, 874), was the eleventh Shia Imam. ... Events 11 May: Printing of The Diamond Sutra, the oldest dated printed book. ... Muhammad al-Mahdi (868 - ?) is the twelfth and final Imam of the Shia. ... The IsmāīlÄ« (Arabic: الإسماعيليون; Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmailiyan) branch of Islam is the second largest Shīˤa community after the Twelvers (Ithnāˤashariyya), who are dominant in Iran. ... Nizari Ismailis are the sect of Islam that followed what happened at Ghadir-I-Khum(yes that is how you say it). ... Dawoodi Bohras are the main branch of the Bohras, a MustaˤlÄ« subsect of IsmāīlÄ« Shīˤa Islām, and are based in India. ... Please wikify (format) this article as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Seveners (Arabic سبعية) are a branch of Ismaili Shiism. ... Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (April 20, 702 – December 4, 765), in full Jafar ibn Muhammad ibn Zayn ibn Husayn, was the sixth Shia imam, and a theologian and jurist. ... Ismail may refer to: Ishmael, son of Abraham, mentioned in both the Torah and the Quran Izmail, a town in Ukraine This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... Zaiddiyah (also: Zaidi, Zaydi, or in the West Fivers) refers to a sect within Shia Islam. ...

Status of a Shi'a Imam

Main article: Status of a Shi'a Imam

Shi'a Islam holds that the Imamate is one of the fundamentals of Islam (A part of the Usul-Ad-din) and that one should follow the Imams of Ahlul Bayt, in order to correctly follow the Prophet Muhammad and his Sunnah. The Shi'a believe that the Imams of Ahlul Bayt are infallible based on one of the verses of Quran:
Among twelver shia muslims, the status of an Imam is secondary only to that of a full-fledged divinely instated prophet(a Nabi or Rasul). ... 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. ... This is an Arabic phrase literally translated as People of the House, or family. ... Infallibility is the ability to be free from error (obtain certainty). ...

And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. [33:33]

The Ahlul Bayt are the perfect example for mankind, and like the prophets, they should be emulated in acts and deeds. Shi'as believe that the Imams of Ahlul Bayt carry the divinely appointed responsibility of protecting Islam and enacting the example of the pure Sunnah of Muhammad. The Imams of Ahlul Bayt have guided Muslims throughout history, in many cases under the most horrible circumstances and under the most severe forms of discrimination due to the cruel policies of the reigning governments of the time. They are seen as incorruptible and infallible role models for Muslims that have shown the way of goodness and prosperity in this world and the next in the best way until their martyrdom or occultation. Image File history File links Cquote1. ... Image File history File links Cquote2. ... A prophet is a person who has directly encountered God, of whose intentions he can then speak. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Muslim is a believer in or follower of Islam. ...

Role of religious scholars

Main article: The Shi'a clergy

Shi'a Muslims believe that the study of Islamic literature is a continual process, and is necessary for identifying all of God's laws. Unlike Sunni Muslims, Shi'a Muslims believe that they can interpret the Qur'an and the Shi`ah traditions with the same authority as their predecessors: that the door to ijtihad was never closed. Shia Muslims believe that the study of Islamic literature is a continual process, and is necessary for identifying all of Gods laws. ... Ijtihad (Arabic اجتهاد) is a technical term of Islamic law that describes the process of making a legal decision by independent interpretation of the legal sources, the Quran and the Sunnah. ...

Shi'a and Sunni traditions

While Shi'a and Sunni accept the same sacred text, the Qur'an (Some Shi'ah dispute the current version, i.e. translations, of the text), they differ somewhat in their approach to recorded oral tradition, or hadith. Shi`a believe that the split between the Shi'a and Sunni began with Muhammad's death, when some number of Muslims supported the successorship of Ali and the rest forcibly accepted Abu Bakr, then Umar and Uthman. They believe that the successorship was given to Ali at Ghadir Khum (a hadith accepted by both Sunni and Shi`a scholars), and that the testimony that can be traced back to reliable sources is to be trusted, while traditions that cannot be fully verified are suspect. The , (Arabic: recitation, also transliterated as Quran, Koran, and Al-Quran, Turkish Kuran), is the central religious text of Islam. ... Hadith (Arabic: hadīth, Arabic pl. ...

Because Islamic law is based partly on the hadith, Shi'a rejection of some Sunni hadith and Sunni rejection of some Shi'a hadith means that the versions of the law differ somewhat. For example, while both Shi'a and Sunni pray Friday (Jum'a) prayers, the prayer times differ. Shi'a believe that there is no set time for Asr and Ishaa prayers. Some Shi'a also practice temporary marriages, or mut'a which can be contracted for months or even days (Mut'a was practiced by Sunni until outlawed by Umar according to Sunni), the Second Caliph), and follow different inheritance laws. This article needs copyediting (checking for proper English spelling, grammar, usage, etc. ... For other uses of the name, see Umar (disambiguation). ...

The Ja'ffari Shi'a consider Sunnah to be the oral traditions of Muhammad and the Imams. Al-Kafi by Kolayni, in Tabatabai's words is "the most trustworthy and celebrated work of hadith in the Shi'a world, and it has near to 4000 authentic hadith from a total of 16000 hadith according to Ayatollah Sayed Ali al-Sistani. Tabatabai are one of the only few remaining families from the descendants of Hassan ibn Ali, the second imam of Shias, populated majorly in Iran and Iraq. ...

See also the List of Shi'a books. // Hadith collections The book of Sulaym ibn Qays — ? by ? Nahj al-Balagha — ? by ? Bihar al-Anwar — 1600s by Allama Majlesi Usul al-Kafi — ? by ? Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya — 678-713 by ? Shahr Usul al-Kafi — ? by ? Furu al-Kafi — ? by ? Tafsir Tafsir al-Mizan — ? by Allameh Tabatabaei History books Restatement of...

Religious calendar

All Muslims, Sunni or Shi'a, celebrate the following annual holidays:

• Eid ul-Fitr (عيد الفطر), which marks the end of fasting during the month of Ramadan and falls on the first day of Shawwal.
• Eid ul-Adha, which marks the end of the Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah, starts on the 10th day of Dhul Hijja.

The following days are celebrated by Shi'a only, unless otherwise noted: Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر), often abbreviated as simply Eid, is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. ... Ramadan or Ramadhan (Arabic: رمضان) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the holiest month in Islam. ... Eid ul-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى) occurs on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja. ... The Hajj (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), (Turkish:Hac) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam. ... Mecca or Makkah (in full: Makkah al-Mukkaramah; Arabic مكة المكرمة) is revered as the holiest site of Islam, and a pilgrimage to it is required of all Muslims who can afford to go. ...

• The Festival of Muharram and Ashurah (عاشوراء) for Shi'a commemorates Imam Husayn bin Ali's martyrdom. Imam Husayn was grandson of prophet Mohammad, who was martyred by Yazid ibn Muawiyah Sunnis 6th Khalif. Ashurah is a day of deep mourning which occurs on the 10th of Muharram. Sunnis also celebrate Ashurah, but give it a different meaning (see Ashurah).
• Arba'een commemorates the suffering of the women and children of Imam Husayn's household. After Husayn was killed, they were marched over the desert, from Karbala (central Iraq) to Shaam (Damascus, Syria). Many children died of thirst and exposure along the route. Arba'een occurs on the 20th of Safar, 40 days after Ashurah.
• Milad al-Nabi, Muhammad's birth date, is celebrated by Shi'a on the 17th of Rabbi al-Awwal, which coincides with the birth date of the sixth imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. Sunnis consider Muhammad's birth date to be the 12th of Rabbi al-Awwal, and the entire month is cause for celebrations throughout the Sunni world. However with the influence of Wahhabism, many Sunnis are beginning to feel that it is wrong to celebrate this holiday.
• Mid of Shaban is the birth date of the 12th and final imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi. It is celebrated by Twelvers on the 15th of Shaban. Many Shi'a fast on this day to show gratitude.
• Eid al-Ghadeer celebrates Ghadir Khum, the occasion when Muhammad announced Ali's imamate before a multitude of Muslims. Eid al-Ghadeer is held on the 18th of Dhil-Hijjah.
• Al-Mubahila celebrates a meeting between the household of Muhammad and a Christian deputation from Najran. Al-Mubahila is held on the 24th of Dhil-Hijjah.

The Festival of Muharram (Arabic: احتفال محرم or مناسبة محرم) is an important period of mourning in the Shiite branch of Islam. ... For the Canaanite and Ugaritic mother-goddess, please see Asherah. ... Imaginary portrait of Husayn ibn Ali, by contemporary Iranian artist. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For the Canaanite and Ugaritic mother-goddess, please see Asherah. ... Arbaeen (اربعين, Arabic forty) is a Shia religious holiday that occurs forty days after Aashura, the commemoration of the martyrdom by beheading of Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. ... Karbalā (Arabic: ; also transliterated as Kerbala, Kerbela, or Karbila) is a city in Iraq, located about 100 km southwest of Baghdad at 32. ... Damascus by night, pictured from Jabal Qasioun; the green spots are minarets Damascus (Arabic: ‎ translit: Also commonly: الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. ... For the Canaanite and Ugaritic mother-goddess, please see Asherah. ... Mawlid, Mawlid an-Nabi or Milad al-Nabi (Arabic: ) is the celebration of the birthday of Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam; also known as The Seal of the Prophets. Sunni Muslims celebrate this day on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal in the Islamic calendar; whereas Twelver Shia... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (April 20, 702 – December 4, 765), in full Jafar ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husayn, was the sixth Shia imam, and a theologian and jurist. ... MuhÌ£ammad al-MahdÄ« (born 868) (Arabic: ‎ ) is the twelfth and final Shia Imam. ... Shaaban (Arabic: شعبان ) is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. ... Eid al-Ghadir is an eid (holiday) celebrated by Shias. ... Ghadir(-e) Khum (Persian/Arabic: غدیر خم) or Qadir(-e) Khum is a location in Saudi Arabia between Mecca and Medina and an event wich for Shia Muslims from authentic Hadiths confirm one of the refrences to the direct successorship of Imam Ali after the Prophet Muhammad as Leader and Caliph of... This is an Arabic phrase literally translated as People of the House, or family. ... Najran is a province of Saudi Arabia, located in the south of the country along the border with Yemen. ...

History of the Shi`ah

Approximate map of Shi'a Muslims in the Middle East and West Asia, 1989 to 1991. Shi`ah live in many parts of the world but are significantly concentrated in this region.

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x840, 499 KB) Image obtained from http://www. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1200x840, 499 KB) Image obtained from http://www. ...

History of Shi'a-Sunni relations

See main article: Historical Shi'a-Sunni relations // Origins of the schism Shias record the start of the schism with the death of Muhammad, and in their view, a violent coup détat against Ali in his first day as caliph, which they argue was automatic without recourse to an election or a formal investiture. ...

Shi'a and Sunni historians record that many Shi`as have been persecuted, intimidated, and killed, through what Shi'a consider a coup d'état against Ali's caliphate. Some Sunni scholars are known to have openly considered the Shi'a as "Kafir" (disbelievers) and condemned them to death. This was mainly fueled by the Shi'a point of view regarding Ali, Umar, and other companions and possible misunderstandings about Shia concepts such as Taqiyya and Muta. A coup détat (pronounced ), or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government through unconstitutional means by a part of the state establishment that mostly replaces just the top power figures. ... ‘AlÄ« ibn AbÄ« Ṭālib (Arabic: ‎ Persian: ‎ )‎ (599 – 661) was an early Islamic leader. ... Caliph is the term or title for the Islamic leader of the Ummah, or community of Islam. ... Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... ‘AlÄ« ibn AbÄ« Ṭālib (Arabic: ‎ Persian: ‎ )‎ (599 – 661) was an early Islamic leader. ... For other uses of the name, see Umar (disambiguation). ... For other views of Sahaba and a short description, see sahaba. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... In Shia Islamic tradition, Taqiyya (التقية) is the dissimulation of one’s religious beliefs when one fears for ones life, the lives of ones family members, or for the preservation of the faith. ... In Roman mythology, Muta was the personification of silence. ...

However, many Sunni scholars of recent history have become more open towards Shi'a Muslims and some have promoted unity, while others have not. Modern mainstream Sunni have also become less confrontational. The renowned al-Azhar Theological school in Egypt, for example, one of the main centers of Sunni scholarship, announced the al-Azhar Shia Fatwa on July 6, 1959: Al-Azhar Islamic university in Cairo Egypt Al-Azhar University is connected to the mosque in Cairo named to honor Fatima Az-Zahraa, the daughter of Muhammad, from whom the Fatimid Dynasty claimed descent. ... The renowned al-Azhar Theological school in Egypt, one of the main centers of Sunni scholarship in the world hade a ten year long exchange with a Shia scholar. ...

"The Shi'a is a school of thought that is religiously correct to follow in worship as are other Sunni schools of thought."

Today, both Shi'a and Sunni students graduate and study at the Al-Azhar university. Al-Azhar Islamic university in Cairo Egypt Al-Azhar University is connected to the mosque in Cairo named to honor Fatima Az-Zahraa, the daughter of Muhammad, from whom the Fatimid Dynasty claimed descent. ...

Major centers of Shi'a scholarship

Qom is famous for the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh, first built in the late 8th century. ... Najaf (Arabic: ) is a city in Iraq, about 160 km south of Baghdad, located at 31. ... Imam Reza Shrine Tomb of Nader Shah Afshar, a popular tourist attraction in Mashad. ... Ray, is one of the oldest cities of Iran. ... Tabriz City Hall, built in 1895, by Arfaol molk, with the aid of German engineers. ... Part of Shah Abbas large urban project in his new capital, the Chahār Bāgh Four Gardens, is a four-kilometer avenue in the city of Isfahan. ... Map of Iran and surrounding lands, showing location of Tehran View from Jamaran looking southwest toward Elahiyeh, Jordan, and Shemiran districts of Tehran. ... Sidon, Zidon or Saida, (Arabic صيدا á¹¢aydā is the third-largest city in Lebanon. ... Old Town Aleppo viewed from the Citadel Aleppo is also the name of two townships in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. ... Damascus by night, pictured from Jabal Qasioun; the green spots are minarets Damascus (Arabic: ‎ translit: Also commonly: الشام ash-Shām) is the capital and largest city of Syria. ... Qatif (Arabic: القطيف al-QaTiif) is a historic coastal city and oasis located on the western shore of the Arabian/Persian Gulf in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, some 13km north of the port city of Dammam and southwest of major oil port Ras Tanura. ... Kufa (الكوفة al-Kufa in Arabic) is a city in Iraq, about 170 km south of Baghdad, and 10 km northeast of Najaf. ... Map showing Samarra near Baghdad Sāmarrā (سامراء) is a town in Iraq (, ). It stands on the east bank of the Tigris in the province of Salah ad Din, 125 km north of Baghdad and, in 2002, had an estimated population of 201,700. ... Karbalā (Arabic: ; also transliterated as Kerbala, Kerbela, or Karbila) is a city in Iraq, located about 100 km southwest of Baghdad at 32. ... Al Hillah is a city in central Iraq on the river Euphrates, 100 km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, with an estimated population of 364,700 in 1998. ... Lucknow (Hindi: लखनऊ; Urdu: لکھنو Lakhnau) is the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. ...

See also

• Shi'a clergy
• Imam
• Sunni Islam
• List of Marjas
• List of Ayatollahs
• Alevis
• Ismaili
• Succession to Muhammad
• Misconceptions about the Shi'a
• Historical Shi'a-Sunni relations
• List of Shi'a books
• keramat

Shia Muslims believe that the study of Islamic literature is a continual process, and is necessary for identifying all of Gods laws. ... Imam (Arabic: إمام ,Persian: امام ) is an Arabic word meaning Leader. The ruler of a country might be called the Imam, for example. ... Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. ... This page is a partial list of Marja-e-Taqleeds followed by Shia Muslims around the world. ... This is a list of Ayatollahs: Ayatollah Amini Ayatollah Azari-Ghomi Mohammad Beheshti Grand Ayatollah Borujerdi Sadiq Ehsanbakhsh Mohammad Taqi Bahjat Ayatollah Mohammadi Guilani Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi Ahmad Jannati Abol-Ghasem Kashani Sadegh Khalkhali Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Grand Ayatollah Abul... Alevis are adherents of a branch of Islam, related to Shia Islam and practised mainly in (majority Sunni) Turkey, among both Turks, Zazas, and Kurds. ... The IsmāīlÄ« (Arabic: الإسماعيليون; Persian: اسماعیلیان Esmailiyan) branch of Islam is the second largest Shīˤa community after the Twelvers (Ithnāˤashariyya), who are dominant in Iran. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... // Origins of the schism Shias record the start of the schism with the death of Muhammad, and in their view, a violent coup détat against Ali in his first day as caliph, which they argue was automatic without recourse to an election or a formal investiture. ... // Hadith collections The book of Sulaym ibn Qays — ? by ? Nahj al-Balagha — ? by ? Bihar al-Anwar — 1600s by Allama Majlesi Usul al-Kafi — ? by ? Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya — 678-713 by ? Shahr Usul al-Kafi — ? by ? Furu al-Kafi — ? by ? Tafsir Tafsir al-Mizan — ? by Allameh Tabatabaei History books Restatement of... In Islamic philosophy, irfan, and mysticism, keramat (کرامت also کرامات) is a thaumaturgic gift akin to the miracle of prophets. ...

External links

• The Shia Islamic Guide (shiacode.com)
• Ahlulbayt Islamic Mission (aimislam.com)
• Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project (al-Islam.org)
• Al-Shia Website (al-shia.com)
• Imam Ali commemorative website (imamalinet.net)
• Institute for Interreligious Dialogue, Tehran
• AlMujtaba Islamic Network (almujtaba.com)