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Everything you need to know about Shiite Muslims

Learn all about this minor Islam group!

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Here is everything you need to know about this second branch of the Islamic faith:

Origin story

Prophet founded the Islam religion during the seventh century. During his lifetime, there were no fractions amongst Muslims as everyone simply followed his ways and teachings. Then, he died and things changed.

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Following the death of Muhammad in 632 A.D., he was succeeded by Abu Bakr, the prophet's close companion and father-in-law. He ruled for a very short time before Umar took over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Uthman was the next leader, followed byAli ibn Abi Talib,.

It was during his rule that there was a dispute over the successor. This was championed by the Muslim governor of Syria, Muʿāwiyah ibn Abī Sufyān who was also a critic of the prophet. He argued that people should have been allowed to vote for their next leader after the prophet's death instead of a small group imposing a successor on the followers. Hence, his problem with Ali who became ruler simply because he was related to the prophet by blood.

The antagonism between Alī and Muʿāwiyah eventually led to a major conflict called the Battle of Ṣiffīn. Following the war, Muʿāwiyah's camp broke again and became known as the Khārijites. Alī was later murdered by a Khārijite in 661 after ruling for five years.

Upon Ali's death, Muʿāwiyah became the generally acknowledged leader. During his reign, Ali's son Ḥasan tried to contest for leadership but it was unsuccessful. Following his failed attempt, his brother was invited to meet the Muslims of Al-Kūfah in Iraq, Alī's former headquarters, in order to bid for leadership. He was killed near the town of Karbalāʾ (the Battle of Karbalāʾ), which is now a pilgrimage destination in central Iraq for Shīʿites.

The unjust killings of Ali and his son, al-Ḥusayn, gave him more recognition among Muslims and later led to the emergence of supporters of Ali and his blood descendants, who believe that Ali (who is the only successor related to the prophet by blood) should have been the first Muslim leader after the prophet.

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This group became known as the Shiite sect. The name comes from the word 'Shiism' which originates from Shiat Ali, which translates as 'Ali's supporters' or 'Ali's partisans'. Reportedly, Shiites now make for roughly one-tenth of the Muslim population worldwide. They can be found in Iran, Iraq,  Saudi Arabia, Syria, South Asia, and even .

Between Sunni and Shiites Muslims

The major difference between these two Islamic groups is their belief concerning the prophet's successor.

For the Sunnis, choosing a new leader from the Prophet's companions after Muhammad's death was the right thing to do he did not have a son. This group is the largest branch of Islam. The term 'Sunni' comes from the word Sunn, in Arabic, which means "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."

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On the other hand, Shiites believe that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, who later became the fourth successor, should have have been the first leader after Muhammad's death. This is because they believe that all successors must be direct descendants of Muhammad's family.

As such, Shiites have never recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders throughout history going as far as to reject the traditions narrated by some of the prophet's companions (Abu Bakr, Umar ibn Al Khattab, Aisha, etc). Instead, they choose to follow leaders like Ali and his descendants including his son who come from Prophet Muhammad's bloodline. This is explains why Shiites often make annual pilgrimages to visit their shrines.

Beliefs and practices of Shittes

They believed in the Oneness of God (Tawhīd), Justice of God (Adalah), Prophethood (Nubuwwah), Leadership (Imamah),  Day of Judgment (Qiyamah).

They also practice Sawm (fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan), Hajj (pilgrimage), Zakat (charity), Jihad (struggle to please God) and more.

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A distinctive practice among Shiites is street processions and symbolic self-flagellation. One the Holy Day of Ashura during Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar, this group of Muslims slash and whip themselves in honor of Prophet Muhammad's grandson, al-Ḥusayn.

It's well known that all Muslims are required to pray five times a day. However, this is not the necessarily the case amongst the Shiites where combining some prayers into three daily prayer times is allowed.

Shiites pray differently from Sunnis. While praying, they place their heads on a small tablet of clay from a holy place whilst prostrating. They also stand with their arms by their sides, unlike the Sunnis who put their hands on their stomachs.

Watch the video below to learn more about Shiite Muslims.

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