alt. Shi'a, Shi'i; lit. 'Party', pl. Shias, Shi'ites - Supporters of Ali, the fourth Caliph and the 1st Imam ; Shi'ites makes up ~10% of modern Muslims, largely in Iran and southern Iraq; see Islamic History
The smaller of the two great divisions of Islam, supporting the claims of Ali to leadership of the Muslim community, in opposition to the Sunni ( q.v.) view of succession to Muslim leadership--the issue causing the central schism within Islam.
The largest Muslim sect in Lebanon. The word Shia comes from Shiat Ali, or party of Ali. Those who believed that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, should have succeeded the Prophet have come to be known as Shias. Those who thought that the successor should have been chosen by the community came to be known as Sunnis ( q.v.). This dispute created the first great division in Islam. Most Lebanese Shias are Twelver Shias (also known as Imami Shias), believing that the twelfth imam (divinely appointed religious leader) is in hiding and will reappear. Shias live in West Beirut and its southern suburbs, southern Lebanon, and in parts of the Biqa Valley. Shias have tended to have less education and to be poorer than most other segments of society.
Muslim followers of Ali, the fourth Sunni caliph and the first Shii imam ( NB: Shia is the noun, Shii the adjective)
A member of the smaller of the two great divisions of Islam. The Shia originated in a dispute over who should be the legitimate successor to the Prophet; a majority of early Muslims accepted the tradition of community consensus to choose the leader, but a minority supported the claim of Ali, the Prophet's cousin, to inherit the mantle of leadership. Over time, theological differences emerged between the Shia and Sunni ( q.v.). The Alevi ( q.v.), Ismaili, Twelve Imam Shia, and Zayidi all are distinct Shia sects.
The "partisans" of Ali, the fourth caliph, the Shias eventually became a distinct Muslim sect. The largest Shia Muslim sect is the "Twelver Shia," named after the first 12 leaders (or imams) of Shia Muslims. Twelver Shia believe that the descendants of Ali, Mohammed's cousin and son-in-law, were the legitimate leaders of Islam. Shias believe the last imam is in hiding, and they await his return. Shias are the majority in Iran, and many can be found in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Pakistan. There are more than 165 million Shia Muslims in the world. (Also known as Shii or Shi'ite Muslims.)
followers of Ali and the other imams
one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam; mainly in Iran
A Muslim sect that believes that Ali and the Imams as the only rightful successors of Muhammad.
a splinter faction that developed during the early years of Islam that broke with the consensus of the people of knowledge and nearness to the Prophet by rejecting the leaders that were chosen to lead the Muslims. They opted for an occult interpretation of how rule would be passed on. Making any human being too imperfect to be accepted by them as the Khalif, they split from the body of the Muslims, developing into a theocracy run by a rabbinical caste that claim hereditary rights to govern and guide the people. This is in direct opposition to the statement by the Prophet, salla'llahu 'alaiyhi wa sallam, "There is no priesthood in Islam."
(or Shiite, from Shiat Ali, the Party of Ali) A member of the smaller of the two great divisions of Islam. The Shias supported the claims of Ali and his line to presumptive right to the caliphate and leadership of the Muslim community, and on this issue they divided from the Sunnis (q.v.). Shias revere Twelve Imams, the last of whom is believed to be hidden from view.
Shi’ite. sect regarding Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad as direct lawful successor to Muhammad.
The smaller of the two great divisions of Islam. Literally, "party" from Shiat Ali (Party of Ali). Adherents are referred to as Shias; adjectival form is Shia. According to the Shias, the Quran ( q.v.) is not a closed body of revelation but is open to further elaboration by inspired imams ( q.v.).
one of the schools od Islam, split from the Sunni over a matter of succession
A member of the smaller of the two great divisions of Islam. The Shia supported the claims of Ali and his line to presumptive right to the caliphate and leadership of the Muslim community, and on this issue they divided from the Sunni ( q.v.) in the major schism within Islam. Later schisms have produced further divisions among the Shia over the identity and number of imams ( q.v.). Most Shia revere Twelve Imams, the last of whom is believed to be hidden from view.