Shia Islam

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Shī‘a, also Shi'ah, Shi'ih and Shi‘ite (Arabic شيعة Template:ArabDIN), is the second largest denomination of Islam. The singular/adjective form is Template:ArabDIN (شيعي.) and refers to a follower of the faction of Imam Ali according to the Shia ideology.

Shias adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family, as well as those descendents of Muhammad known as Shi'a Imams. They believe that Muhammad's bloodline properly continues only through his daughter Fatima Zahra and her husband Ali ibn Abu Talib, who along with the Prophet Muhammad's grandsons are among the Ahl al-Bayt ("people of the house [of Prophet Muhammad]"). According to Shia theology, after the death of Muhammad, the rightful teachers of Islam and guides of Muslim society were those who have been called Imams; they believe that such people are the divinely appointed rulers of Muslims, and should be deferred to in matters of religion. Shi'as consider the first three ruling Sunni caliphs to have been historical rulers without religious authority, instead holding Muhammad's descendants as the true source of guidance.

In the second and third centuries of Islamic history, Shia Islam was divided into many branches due to disagreement over the rightful succession of Imams; however, only three branches currently have a significant number of followers. The best known and the one with most adherents is the Twelvers (اثنا عشرية Template:ArabDIN) which have a large percentage (90%) in Iran and Iraq; the others are Ismaili and Zaidiyyah. Alawites and Druzes consider themselves Shias, although this is sometimes disputed by mainstream Shias.[1] The Sufi orders among the Shias are the Alevi, Bektashi, Kubrawiya, Noorbakhshi, Oveyssi, Qizilbashi, Hamadani and Fatimid orders and denominations.

According to most sources, including the US Library of Congress, present estimates indicate that approximately 95% of the world's Muslims are Sunni and approximately 5% are Shi'a. Today there are estimated to be between 80 and 110 million Shi'a Muslims[2] (including Twelvers, Ismailis, Zaydis) throughout the world, about three quarters of whom reside in Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and India.[3][4]

Etymology

An Iranian post stamp relating the Hadith of Qadeer, one of the instances which the holy prophet appointed Ali. This time, prominently done shortly before his demise
An Iranian post stamp relating the Hadith of Qadeer, one of the instances which the holy prophet appointed Ali. This time, prominently done shortly before his demise
Main article: Shia etymology

"Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Template:ArabDIN (شيعة علي), meaning "the followers of the House of Ali" or "the faction of the family of Ali". Both Shia and Sunni sources trace the term to the years preceding the departure of Prophet Muhammad from this world.

The word "Shia" means "followers; members of party". This word had used for the followers of some notable persons during first century, then it was restricted to Ali's followers. It can be interpreted in a wider sense than just "followers of Ali": it signifies a claim that the Shia Muslims are the followers and believers of (God) the Almighty Creator of existence, His Prophets (Guides to Heaven), His Messages and the Ahlul Bayt (The Family of the House of Prophet Mohammad) and the prophet's descendents which are the shi'a Imams Fathered by Ali. The Messenger of God (Prophet Mohammad) said to Imam Ali: "Good News to you O Ali! Verily you and your companions and your Shia (followers) will be in Paradise."[verification needed]

The Origin and Growth of Shi'ism

See also: Succession to Muhammad
File:Nahj.gif
Nahj al-Balagha, one of the most cherished Shia collections

During 700 and 750 CE Muhammad al-Baqir and Ja'far al-Sadiq theorized and expanded the Kalam and Fiqh of Shia.

Imamah

Main article: Imamah (Shia doctrine)

The main characteristics of Shia is Imamah. All shia believe that there is an Imam as the teacher, guide and ruler of the religious and secular aspects of life of any Muslim. He should be one of descendants of prophet and all of them believe that Ali, Hassan, Hussain are imams, however there are differences in who are the later imams.

According to Allameh Tabatabaei[5] :

The imamate and religious leadership in Islam may be studied from three different perspectives: from the perspective of Islamic government, of Islamic sciences and injunctions, and of leadership and innovative guidance in the spiritual life. Shi'ism believes that since Islamic society is in dire need of guidance in each of these three aspects, the person who occupies the function of giving that guidance and is the leader of the community in these areas of religious concern must be appointed by God and the Prophet.

Imams were the best source of knowledge about the Qur'an and Sunnah. The collection of Hadith venerated by Shia 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. Shia, in addition to seeking to authenticate the chain transmission of hadith, considers the correlation of the text of the hadith with the Quran as a necessary condition for its validity. In Shia sources there are many hadiths of the Prophet and the Imams with authentic chains of transmission which themselves assert that a hadith contrary to the Quran has no value. Only that hadith can be considered valid which is in agreement with the Quran. A hadith heard directly from the mouth of the Prophet or one of the Imams is accepted as is the Quran. As for hadiths received through intermediaries, the majority of Shia act upon them if their chain of transmission is established at every step or if there exists definite proof concerning their truth. Therefore it can be said that for Shi'ism a certain and definitely established hadith is absolutely binding and must be followed, while a hadith which is not absolutely established but which is generally considered as reliable is utilized only in the elaboration of the injunctions of the Shari'ah.[6] Thus Shia follows Shari'a on the basis of Jafari Jurisprudence which has derived from Jafar as Sadiq.

Demographics

See Shia population or Demographics of Islam for details.

Map showing distribution of Shia and Sunni Muslims in Africa, Asia and Europe.

By some estimates, approximately 5% of the world's Muslims are Shia. There are an estimated 80 to 110 million Shias [7] (including Twelvers, Ismailis, Zaydis) throughout the world, about three quarters of whom reside in Iran, Pakistan, India, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Afghanistan.[8][4]

A large portion of the world's Shia live in the Middle East. They constitute a majority in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Bahrain and especially Iran, where 80% of the population is Shia, giving it the highest percentage of Shias of any country in the world[7]. In Lebanon Shia form a plurality, and they remain as significant minorities in Syria, India, Pakistan, Turkey and Yemen. Among the smaller Persian Gulf states, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates also have significant Shia minorities, as does the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

About 7% of India's Muslim population is Shia, and significant Shia communities exist on the coastal regions of West Sumatra and Aceh in Indonesia (see Tabuik). Similarly, Pakistan's Shia population is roughly 4% as well. Shia presence is negligible elsewhere in Southeast Asia, where Muslims are predominantly Shafi'i Sunnis.

According to the Shia, one of the lingering problems in estimating the Shia population is that unless the Shia form a significant minority in a Muslim country, the entire population is often listed as Sunni.

For a more accurate and detailed map of Shia population in the Middle East, see

http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/MidEastReligionCore_lg.jpg

For the relationship between Shia-inhabited parts of the Middle East and the oil and gas rescourses, see

http://gulf2000.columbia.edu/images/maps/Shias_Oil_lg.jpg

Doctrines

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Main doctrines

The Shia believe in the five pillars of Islam, as do Sunnis, but categorize them differently. Shia beliefs include the following:

Theology of Shia (Usūl al-Dīn)

  • 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)

  • Salat — called "Namaz" in Persian — (Prayer) – Performing the five daily prayers (Prayers can be made up for at night)
  • Sawm — called "Ruzeh" in Persian — (Fast) – fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan (Able to eat after the sun goes down)
  • Hajj (Pilgrimage) – performing the pilgrimage to Mecca (once in a lifetime)
  • Zakat (Poor-rate) – paying the poor-tax (2.5% of your wealth every year should go to the poor)
  • Khums (One-fifth of savings) – paying tax to the Imam (سهم اما)
  • Jihad (Struggle) – struggling to please the Almighty. 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". Writing the truth (jihad bil qalam) and speaking truth in front of an oppressor are also forms of Jihad.
  • Amr bi 'l-Ma'rūf – commanding what is good
  • Nahy 'an al-Munkar – forbidding what is evil
  • Tawalla – loving the Ahlul Bayt and their followers
  • Tabarra – dissociating oneself from the enemies of the God, Prophet Muhammad, and Ahlul Bayt

Additional doctrines

Main article: Additional Shia doctrines

Shia have many other doctrines that are shared with other Muslims, such as wearing of the hijab. However, some are seen as more predominantly used by Shias, such as dissimulation (Arabic: Taqiyya), which is the dissimulation of one’s religious beliefs when one fears for one's life and the lives of one's family members.

Misconceptions

Main article: Misconceptions about the Shia
See also: Shia view of the Qur'an

Theologically, some branches of Shia Islam are the same as Sunni Islam, while other branches differ significantly, due to later developments of schools of thought.

Shia Islam claims it follows the words of Prophet Muhammad as given to him through divine guidance from God in the Qur'an. However, the Alawite sect hold Ali as an incarnation of God.[9]

The origins of this belief began with a group who lived in Ali's time and worshiped Ali (who, upon learning this, had them killed). Moreover the term Shia literally means the Party. Early on, the Shia were referred to as Shiat Ali, or The Party of Ali. While the majority of Muslims at the time of the passing away of the prophet favoured Abu Bakr as the Caliph, a large portion of the population supported Ali, the prophet's son-in-law and cousin. Therefore, the Shia do not recognize Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman as the first three caliphs. (Ali was recognized as the fourth caliph in 656 C.E.)

Other Shias denounce such beliefs as blasphemous[citation needed] and against the grain of Islam (absolute, total and inarguable belief and existence of one God). These Shia do not view Ali as a Prophet, only as the proper protector of the Islamic nation after the death of the prophet Muhammad.

While Shia and Sunni Muslims accept the same sacred text, the Qur'an, Salafis claims that the Shia dispute the current version. Nonetheless, Shias say that the accusation is false, as they believe that the Qur'an has never been maliciously altered.[10]

Denominations

File:Imam Ali Reza.jpg
Imam Ali Reza's Shrine (Ali ar Ridha), IRAN
  • Most Shia are Twelvers (Isna Asharai) and they recognize twelve Imams.
  1. Ali ibn Abu Talib (600–661), also known as Ali, Amir al-Mo'mineen (commander of the faithful), also know as Shah-e Mardan Ali (King of men)
  2. Hasan ibn Ali (625–669), also known as Hasan al Mujtaba
  3. Husayn ibn Ali (626–680), also known as Husayn al Shaheed, also known as Sah Hüseyin
  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), also known as Taqi
  10. Ali ibn Muhammad (827–868), also known as Ali al-Hadi, also known as Naqi
  11. Hasan ibn Ali (846–874), also known as Hasan al Askari
  12. Muhammad ibn Hasan (868–?), also known as Hojjat ibn al Hasan

Status of a Shia Imam

Main article: Status of a Shia Imam

Shias 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 Shia believe that the Imams of Ahlul Bayt are infallible based on one of the verses of Quran:

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 God and His Messenger. And God only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and to make you pure and spotless. [33:33]

Sunni sources In Sahih Muslim, Chapter of virtues of companions, section of the virtues of Ali, 1980 Edition Pub. In Saudi Arabia, Arabic version, v4, p1874, Tradition #37

Narrated Yazid Ibn Hayyan:

We went to Zaid Ibn Arqam and said to him: You have found goodness (for you had the honor) to live in the company of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and offered prayer behind him, and the rest of the Hadith is the same (as 3 traditions before) but the Prophet said: "Behold, for I am leaving amongst you two weighty things, one of them is the Book of God...", and in this (Hadith) these words are also found: We said: "Who are his Ahlul-Bayt (that the Prophet was referring to)? Are they his wives?" Thereupon Zaid said: "No, by God! A woman lives with a man (as his wife) for a while; he then divorces her and she goes back to her parents and her people. The Ahlul-Bayt of the Prophet are his lineage and his descendants (those who come from his blood) for whom the acceptance of charity (Sadaqah) is prohibited.

The Ahlul Bayt are the perfect examples for mankind, and like the prophets, they should be emulated in acts and deeds. The Shia believe that the Imams of Ahlul Bayt carry the divinely appointed responsibility of protecting Islam and enacting the example of the pure Sunnah of Prophet 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.

Jurisprudence

Main article: Ja'fari jurisprudence

Ja'fari jurisprudence or Ja'fari Fiqh is the name of the jurisprudence of the Shia Twelvers Muslims, derived from the name of Ja'far al-Sadiq, the 6th Shia Imam.

The Ja'ffari Shia consider Sunnah to be the oral traditions of the prophet and their implementation and interpretation by the Imams who were all scholars and descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and her husband, the first Imam, Ali.

Role of religious scholars

Main article: The Shia clergy

Shia Muslims believe that the study of Islamic literature is a continual process, and is necessary for identifying all of God's laws. Sunni Muslims also believe that they can interpret the Qur'an and hadith with the same authority as their predecessors - that the door to ijtihad was never closed. However, the opinion of the 1st and 2nd Century (7th and 8th century Gregorian calendar) scholars Hanbali, Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafii are given greater weight.

Differences of Shia and Sunni traditions

Because Islamic law is based partly on the hadith, Shia rejection of some Sunni hadith and Sunni rejection of some Shia hadith means that the versions of the law differ somewhat. For example, while both Shia and Sunni pray five times each day, some of the prayer times differ. Shias believe that the combining of the timings of Dhur and Asr prayers, and, the Maghrib and Isha prayers was allowed by the Prophet. Therefore, they may pray together Dhu'hurain (Dhur and then Asr) and Mugribain (Mughrib and then Isha) prayers, respectively.[11]. Likewise, Shia do not perform non obligatory prayers like Tar'raweeh, which is prayed during Ramadaan (since they consider this an innovation), however the daily non-obligatory prayers are observed along with several other non-obligatory prayers.

Also another issue of difference between the sects is that Nikah Mut‘ah or "temporary marriage" which is not forbidden for the Shia because it is found in a number of Shia traditions that the practice is permitted, Sunni scholars believe that this practice is a form of prostitution. There are Sahih Shia traditions which maintain that mut'ah is forbidden but these are dismissed as they contradict other narrations on mut'ah which were deemed more acceptable.[12] Many Shia discourage the practice of Mut'ah, but maintain that it is permissible.

The Shi'a perform Tawassul, often through members of lineage of Muhammad such as Ali and Imam Husayn or Shi'a imams or saints. The Salafis condemn this as polythesim or Shirk In al-'Ebadah.[13]. [14]

Supplications

The Shia have a collection of prayers they believe to be traced back to their Imams. These prayers are held in a high esteem among the Shia. These prayers (dua) include:

Religious calendar

All Muslims, Sunni or Shia, celebrate the following annual holidays:

The following holidays are observed by Shia only, unless otherwise noted:

  • Eid al-Ghadeer celebrates Ghadir Khum, the occasion when Prophet Muhammad announced Imam Ali's imamate before a multitude of Muslims. Eid al-Ghadeer is held on the 18th of Dhil-Hijjah. Although this day was announced by prophet Muhammad as a day that all Muslims should celebrate as all that accompanied the prophet in his last hajj did, including the first and second caliphs.
  • The Remembrance of Muharram and Ashurah (عاشوراء) for Shia commemorates Imam Husayn bin Ali's martyrdom. Imam Husayn was grandson of prophet Mohammad, who was martyred by Yazid ibn Muawiyah, the Sunnis' 6th Khalif. Ashurah is a day of deep mourning which occurs on the 10th of Muharram. Sunnis also celebrate Muharram, but as the eve of new year.

Arba'een commemorates the suffering of the women and children of Imam Husayn's household. After Imam Husayn was killed, they were marched over the desert, from Karbala (central Iraq) to Shaam (Damascus, Syria) via Kufah (Iraq). Many children died of thirst and exposure along the route. Arba'een occurs on the 20th of Safar, 40 days after Ashurah.

History of Shia-Sunni relations

Main article: Historical Shia-Sunni relations

The Shia believe that the split between the Shia and Sunni began with the passing away of the prophet, when some number of Muslims supported the successorship of Ali and the rest accepted Abu Bakr, then Umar and Uthman. They believe that the successorship was given to Imam Ali at Ghadir Khum (a hadith accepted by both Sunni and Shi’a scholars[citation needed]), 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.

Many prominent Sunni scholars are known to have openly considered the Shia as Raafidite(heretic). Imam Ash-Shafi'i, one of the most prominent early scholars of his time said in regard to the Shia "I have not seen among the heretics a people more famous for falsehood than the Raafidite Shi’ites." He said this in reference to what shiaa view as taqiyaa and Kitman which allows them to lie[15] Such statements stem mainly from differences in beliefs regarding Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Umar, and other companions, and in the Shia's use of various concepts, such as Mutaand Taqqiaya and Kitman which allows the Shiaa Person to lie, and lying is what sunni people condem in thier teachings.

1) Islam does not require a Muslim to follow a particular Madh'hab (school of thought). Rather, we say: every Muslim has the right to follow one of the schools of thought which has been correctly narrated and its verdicts have been compiled in its books. And, everyone who is following such Madhahib [schools of thought] can transfer to another school, and there shall be no crime on him for doing so. Muslims must know this, and ought to refrain from unjust prejudice to any particular school of thought, since the religion of God and His Divine Law (Shari'ah) was never restricted to a particular school of thought. Their jurists (Mujtahidoon) are accepted by Almighty God, and it is permissible to the "non-Mujtahid" to follow them and to accord with their teaching whether in worship (Ibadaat) or transactions (Mu'amilaat).[16][17]

Scholars

Main article: List of Shia Islamic scholars

Contemporary Scholars

Iran

Iraq

See also

References

  1. ^ Syria’s Alawis and Shi‘ism
  2. ^ http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=R120
  3. ^ http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/40241_islamsects.shtml Independent News source mentioning Sunni-Shia demographic statistics]
  4. ^ a b Sunni-Shia demographic statistics
  5. ^ Tabatabaei, Muhammad Husayn, Shi'a, translated by Sayyid Husayn Nasr, Qom:Ansarian Publications:173
  6. ^ Tabatabaei, Muhammad Husayn, Shi'a, translated by Sayyid Husayn Nasr, Qom:Ansarian Publications:102, 103
  7. ^ http://pewforum.org/events/index.php?EventID=R120
  8. ^ http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/40241_islamsects.shtml Independent News source mentioning Sunni-Shia demographic statistics]
  9. ^ "The ages of the world are seven in number, each of these having its own manifestation of deity. But the manifestation of the 7th age is not a Mahdi who is yet to come, but the historical person `Ali ibn abu Talib. This is stated in the crudest form in Sura 1 i of the Majmu`: "I testify that there is no God but `Ali ibn abu Talib." `Ali is also called the Ma`na ("Idea"; cf. the Logos of the New Testament), hence the Nosairis are also called the Ma`nawiyya." Nosairis - From the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
  10. ^ [1]
  11. ^ [2]
  12. ^ hadith number 511 The Shia Sheikh Tusi gives the explanation that although this hadith is Sahih, it was narrated by Hazrat Ali under taqiyah and therefore the contradiction between this hadith and those Shia narrations permitting mut'ah can be overlooked.
  13. ^ [3][4],[5].
  14. ^ [6].
  15. ^ Ibn Taymeeyah, Minhaaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah, 1/39
  16. ^ al-Sha'ab newspaper (Egypt), issue of July 7, 1959
  17. ^ al-Kifah newspaper (Lebanon), issue of July 8, 1959

External links

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