Shia Islam facts for kids
Shi'a Islam (pronounced Shee-ah Islam) is the second largest group of Muslims in the world. Muslims are followers of the religion of Islam. Shi'a Muslims believe that Ali, who was the cousin and son-in-law of the last prophet Muhammad, was chosen by God to be the first leader (called a Caliph or Imam) after Muhammad. They believe Prophet Muhammad announced Ali as the first Caliph during his last pilgrimage.
Shi'a Muslims follow the teachings of the Qu'ran (their holy book) and the family of Prophet Muhammad, whom they call the Ahl al-Bayt. They believe that the first three leaders chosen by Sunni Muslims were not important for the development of their faith. The word Shī'ī means a follower of the family of Muhammad and Ali.
Main Branches of Shi'a Islam
Just like other religions, Shi'a Islam has different groups. Today, three main branches have many followers:
- Twelvers (Ithnāˤashariyya): This is the largest group of Shi'a Muslims.
- Ismaili: This group is the second largest.
- Zaidiyyah: This is another important branch.
Images for kids
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ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, is seen as the first male to become a Muslim.
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Names of the 12 Imams (descendants of Imam ʿAlī) written in the beautiful style of Islamic calligraphy.
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A calligraphic picture of the 12 Imams along with the name of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
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Shāh Karim al-Husayni, known as the Aga Khan IV, is the 49th and current Imam of Nizārī Ismāʿīlīs.
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Gold dinar (coin) of al-Ḥādī ila'l-Ḥaqq Yaḥyā, the first Zaydī Imam of Yemen, made in 910–911 CE.
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The special ceremony for ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib at Ghadir Khumm (from an old manuscript, 1308–1309 CE).
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The decorated cover (Ḍarīẖ) over ʿAlī's grave, inside the Sanctuary of Imām ʿAlī, in Najaf (present-day Iraq).
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Battle of Karbala, a painting by the Persian artist Abbas Al-Mousavi, at the Brooklyn Museum (painted between 1868 and 1933).
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The Sanctuary of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Iran, is a large complex with the tomb of Imam Reza, who is the 8th Imam for Twelver Shīʿas.
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The Fatimid Caliphate at its strongest point.
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One of the first things Shāh Ismā'īl I of the Safavid dynasty did was make the Twelver branch of Shīʿa Islam the official religion of his new Persian Empire. This caused some disagreements in the Middle East.
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Shrine of Imam ʿAlī in Najaf, Iraq.
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The moment Twelver Shīʿīsm was declared the official religion of Safavid Persia.
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The Battle of Chaldiran in 1514 was a big conflict between different Muslim groups in the Middle East.
See also
In Spanish: Chiismo para niños