Islam, Shia History
Shia Sect in Islam: History and Beliefs
Written By: Alan Mooney #23
Spring Semester 2014
RST 303
Dr. Majed Khader
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………..3
Twelvers……………………………………...4
Ismailis……………………………………….6
Zaidis…………………………………………7
Conclusion……………………………………9
Introduction Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahimic religion that came to fruition by the revealing of the The Word of God, (known in Islam as the Qur’an), through the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. Muhammad in Islam is known to be the last Prophet of God and the Qur’an the “complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times beforehand in the world to prophets such as: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.” They also believe that the previous messages and revelations have been partially misinterpreted or altered over time (Michael A. Cook). The Shia represents the second largest denomination of Islam and adherents of Shia Islam are called Shias or the Shi 'a as a collective or Shi 'i individually. Shi 'a is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī meaning "followers", "faction" or "party" of Muhammad 's son-in-law and cousin Ali, whom the Shia believe to be Muhammad 's successor in the Caliphate. Twelver Shia is the largest branch of Shia Islam and the term Shia Muslim is often taken to refer to Twelvers by default. Shia Muslims constitute 10-20% of the world 's Muslim population and 38% of the Middle East 's entire population (Esposito) (Neusner). Shia Islam is based on the Quran and the message of the Islamic prophet Muhammad attested in hadith recorded by the Shia, and certain books deemed sacred to the Shia (Nahj al-Balagha). In contrast to other Muslims, the Shia believes that only God has the right to choose a representative to safeguard Islam, the Quran and sharia (Ferguson). Thus, the Shia looks to Ali, Muhammad 's son-in-law, whom they revere and consider divinely appointed, as the rightful successor to Muhammad, and
Written By: Alan Mooney #23
Spring Semester 2014
RST 303
Dr. Majed Khader
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………..3
Twelvers……………………………………...4
Ismailis……………………………………….6
Zaidis…………………………………………7
Conclusion……………………………………9
Introduction Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahimic religion that came to fruition by the revealing of the The Word of God, (known in Islam as the Qur’an), through the archangel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad. Muhammad in Islam is known to be the last Prophet of God and the Qur’an the “complete and universal version of a primordial faith that was revealed many times beforehand in the world to prophets such as: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus.” They also believe that the previous messages and revelations have been partially misinterpreted or altered over time (Michael A. Cook). The Shia represents the second largest denomination of Islam and adherents of Shia Islam are called Shias or the Shi 'a as a collective or Shi 'i individually. Shi 'a is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī meaning "followers", "faction" or "party" of Muhammad 's son-in-law and cousin Ali, whom the Shia believe to be Muhammad 's successor in the Caliphate. Twelver Shia is the largest branch of Shia Islam and the term Shia Muslim is often taken to refer to Twelvers by default. Shia Muslims constitute 10-20% of the world 's Muslim population and 38% of the Middle East 's entire population (Esposito) (Neusner). Shia Islam is based on the Quran and the message of the Islamic prophet Muhammad attested in hadith recorded by the Shia, and certain books deemed sacred to the Shia (Nahj al-Balagha). In contrast to other Muslims, the Shia believes that only God has the right to choose a representative to safeguard Islam, the Quran and sharia (Ferguson). Thus, the Shia looks to Ali, Muhammad 's son-in-law, whom they revere and consider divinely appointed, as the rightful successor to Muhammad, and
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