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Shi‘a Islam, also known as Shi‘ite Islam or Shia, is the second largest branch of Islam after Sunni Islam. Shias adhere to the teachings of Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family (who are referred to as the Ahl al-Bayt ) or his descendants known as Shia Imams .
Shia Islam is the second largest branch of Islam. [90] It is estimated that 10–13% [91] [92] [93] of the global Muslim population are Shias. They may number up to 200 million as of 2009. [92] As of 1985, Shia Muslims are estimated to be 21% of the Muslim population in South Asia, although the total number is difficult to estimate. [94]
Shiism began for the first time with a reference made to the partisans of Ali the first leader of the Ahl al-Bayt (Household of the prophet). [8] In the early years of Islamic history there was no "orthodox" Sunni or "heretical" Shiite, but rather of two points of view that were drifting steadily until became manifest as early as the death of Muhammad the prophet of Islam.
But it is in Shia Islam that Ali takes center stage, [10] for the Arabic word shi'a itself is short for shi'a of Ali (lit. ' followers of Ali '), [11] his name is incorporated into the daily Shia call to prayer , [10] and he is regarded as the foremost companion of Muhammad.
In Shia Islam, the eschatological Mahdi was commonly given the epithet al-Qa'im (القائم), [16] [17] which can be translated as 'he who will rise,' [18] signifying his rise against tyranny in the end of time. [19] Distinctively Shia is the notion of temporary absence or occultation of the Mahdi, [16] whose life has been prolonged by divine ...
Shia Muslims form a majority of the population in four countries across the Muslim world: Iran, Iraq, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. Significant Shia communities are also found in Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent. Iran stands as the world's only country where Shia Islam forms the foundation of both ...
The content of WikiShia includes beliefs, personalities, books, places, events, ceremonies and rituals of the sects believing in the household of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam. History of Shia and any other issue which would be related to Shi'a in some ways are included in WikiShia. General Islamic concepts that are believed by all Muslims or ...
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