Shi'a Islam

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The Shi'a (also Shi'ite) make up the second largest group of believers in Islam, constituting about 10-15% of all Muslims. (The largest sect, the Sunni Muslims, make up about 85% of all Muslims).

Shi'a Muslims accept Ali, the son-in-law and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, as the legal successor of Muhammad and disregard three of the other four caliphs who succeeded him.

Shi'a Muslims live in all parts of the world, but some countries have a higher concentration of Shi'a. Iran is almost entirely Shi'a, and of the 95% Muslim population of Iraq, about 2/3 are Shi'a. They were oppressed by the Sunni minority under the leadership of Saddam Hussein and the Baath Party.

There are two major groups of believers in Shi'a Islam, with the majority (primarily found in Iran and Iraq) following the Twelver version of Shi'a. The term "Shia" is often taken to be synonymous with the Twelvers. There are also several forms of Sevener Shi'a sects, the largest being known as Ismailis. The Seveners and Twelvers differ regarding the rights of succession after the death of Muhammad, but they agree that the Sunni have usurped the rightful authority of Muhammad's family descendants. Other minor groups exist that grew out of Shiism, such as the Zaidis who believe in the same first four Imams as the Twelvers and Seveners, but differ on the fifth. They are thus known as Fivers.

Also, both major Shi'a 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 sending messages to the faithful. Many Iranian Shi'a believed that the late Ayatollah Khomeini (not to be confused with Ayatollah Khamenei, the current Supreme Ayatollah of Iran) either received messages from the 12th and last Imam, or perhaps even was an incarnation of him. Beliefs vary as to what will happen when the last Imam, called the Mahdi, or Savior, returns (though some sects reserve that title for Jesus). It is generally believed that the last Imam will be accompanied by God's prophet Jesus and will affirm Muhammad's message to mankind from God.

Some Shi'a Muslims sometimes cut their foreheads with a sword during the annual ritual to mark Aashurah. This is, however, only a cultural practice that is not prescribed in any Shi'a religious teachings. Aashurah day marks the Shi'a Muslim’s commemoration of the 7th century killing of their most revered Saint Imam Hussein. Al Hussein was a grandson of Islam’s prophet Muhammad and is a symbol of martyrdom for Shiites. Members of the Baha'i Faith also accept the Twelver Shi'a succession as correct, though they also believe that the Twelfth Imam is the Bab. The Baha'is are considered heretics by the Shi'ites.

see Karbala -- Jafari -- Imam -- Fatimids -- Ismailis -- Sunni Islam -- Iraqi opposition -- Shia Imams -- Zaidi