five roots (shi'a muslims)

• tawhid: the belief in the oneness of Allah, that he is the only god.
• Ald: Allah is always right and just and sometimes he may do things that are beyond our understanding
• nubuwwah: the belief in the messengers of Allah (prophets)
• Imamah: belief in the authority of imams (leaders), that they are needed to protect the religion and give guidance
• Mi'ad: the day of resurrection, when muslims will be resurrected and judged by god
• The Shia believe that Ali was chosen as the first Imam because he had been promised this role by Muhammad himself during his lifetime.