Shia Islam

Shia Islam is a major branch of Islam whose followers regard Ali ibn Abi Talib and his descendants as the rightful successors to Muhammad. Its traditions include distinct teachings about religious authority, leadership, and the Imamate.

Imamate in Shia Islam: The doctrine that divinely guided leaders from Muhammad’s family hold religious authority in Shia Islam. It explains why Ali and his descendants are central to Shia leadership.
Succession to Muhammad: The political and religious question of leadership after Muhammad’s death in 632. Disagreement over who should lead the Muslim community gave rise to the Sunni–Shia division.
Twelver Shi'ism: The largest Shia tradition, which recognizes twelve Imams and holds that the twelfth entered occultation. It is the predominant Shia tradition in Iran, Iraq, and several other countries.
Arba'een: The observance on the fortieth day after Ashura, marked by pilgrimage and mourning for Husayn. Its mass pilgrimage to Karbala is among the largest annual religious gatherings.
Safavid Iran: The Iranian state ruled by the Safavid dynasty from 1501 to 1736, which established Twelver Shi'ism as its official religion. Safavid rule made Twelver Shi'ism central to Iran’s religious and political identity.
Ali ibn Abi Talib: Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, the fourth caliph in Sunni accounts and the first Imam in Shia accounts. Shia Islam grounds its claim to rightful succession in Ali.
First Fitna: The first major civil war among Muslims, fought from 656 to 661. Ali’s caliphate and its conflicts deepened divisions over leadership.
Ismailism: A Shia tradition that recognizes Ismail ibn Jafar and his line of Imams. It follows a different line of succession from Twelver Shi'ism.
Imam Husayn Shrine: A shrine in Karbala, Iraq, built over the burial place of Husayn ibn Ali. It is a major destination for Shia pilgrimage and remembrance.
Iranian Revolution: The 1979 revolution that overthrew Iran’s monarchy and established an Islamic republic. Its leaders drew on Twelver Shia institutions and political thought.

Linked from 76 pages