shi'as

• Background info

  · Shi'as are largest minority sect and make up around 13% of world's Muslim population

  · Similar to Sunni sects, Shi'a sects contain numerous sub-sects

  o E.G. the Twelvers

  · In most places Sunnis and Shias live side by side in peace, but in some places there has been sectarian issues resulting in violence
• Shi'a interpretations of the pillars of Islam

  · Pillars of Islam are a fundamental part of Islam - uphold faith.

  · According to Twelver beliefs there are a total of 10 pillars of Islam, which are compulsory for all Muslims

  · Alongside the standard 5 pillars, additional pillars include doing good, avoiding evil, disassociating with evil, greater jihad and fighting injuries.

  · Also some key differences in the original 5 pillars.

  o E.G. according to Twelver beliefs the shahadah contains 3 parts - first part accepts Tawhid, the second Muhammad as the final prophet, and the third part states that Ali is the 'guidance of God
• The Historical Dispute

  - The difference in Sunni and Shira belies dates back to the year 632 when Muhammad died and the Muslims required a new leader.

  - Shi'as at the time believed that this leader had to come from Muhammad's family, so Ali should've been selected as Muhammad had referred to him as mawla in his last sermon.

  - This Arabic word is ambiguous as it has a variety of meanings. - Where Shias interpret it as 'master', the Sunni interpretation of this word is 'ally'

  - At the time, Ali was overlooked and Abu Bakr was elected as the leader - after him it was Umar, then Uthman and then It was finally Ali.

  - These 4 are referred to as the '4 Rightly Guided Caliphs' by Sunnis, however, Shia's reject the first 3 and view Ali as their first Imam.
• Beliefs about Imams

  -Arabic term imam translates as leader.

  - Concept of an imam is important in every sect of Islam as they guide Muslins using extensive knowledge on Islam and the fluency of Arabic language allows them to appropriately interpret Sharia (fiqh).

  - However, the concept of the Imam is more important to shi'as as they believe the role of an imam can only fulfilled by family of Muhammad - the 'AhI Al bayt' (translates to 'People of the House') able to perform fiqh due to special God-given powers

  - The Twelvers believe that since the death of Muhammad there has been 12 imams, of which Ali was the first.
• Mahdi

  - Translates as messiah / saviour.

  - According to Islamic traditions, Mahdi will appear before final judgement and will help Isa defeat the anti-Christ - will lead to period of peace, after which, final judgement will take place.

  - Twelvers believe that Mahdi is their 12th imam - a man who was named Muhammad al Aksari who lived in the 9th century - he went into occultation (hidden / became invisible to the cord).

  - Believe he will return before the end times and fulfil his role as Mahdi
• Pilgrimage

  · Journey to a place of religious significance - important to Islam as hajj one of compulsory pillars.

  · Alongside performing this pilgrimage Shi'as also make pilgrimages to places of religious significance

  o E.G. Imam Ali Mosque, the Imam Hussein shrine, and holy sites in Makkah and Madinah
• Reign of Ali

  - Ali's reign as the leader began in 656 and lasted 6 years - many conflicts between the Muslims

  - Some critical of Ali's and accused him of being reluctant to find and punish the killer of Uthman - such criticisms led to assassination of Ali in 661.

  - Muslims of Iraq began to establish their own leadership and the Muslim world was divided

  - Shi'as believe the death of Ali was wrong
• Death of Hussein

  - Hussein was the son of Ali and the grandson of Muhammad.

  - When he became the leader of the Muslims in Arabia he wanted to resolve the issues with the Muslims in Iraq so there was peace

  - He travelled to city of Karbala alongside his family members, where they were attacked and brutally killed on the 10th Of Muharram.
• Martyrdom

  - Arabic term for martyr is 'shaheed' and this is the title given to a person for a particular cause (i.e. their religious beliefs)

  - Concept of martyrdom is important in Islam as believe those who are martyred have their sins absolved and go to heaven

  - Shi'as place further emphasis on idea of martyrdom as believe that key Islamic figures in history were martyred

  o E.G. Ali and Hussain

  - In the 21st century the whole idea of martyrdom has been tainted due to terrorist groups such as Isis and Al Qaeda, who recruit members by using suicide bombing in the hope of being martyred, yet Islam forbids suicide.