Shia Islamic sects

Taifa or Firqa in Arabic means ‘Sect’ and refers to ‘a smaller group splitting from the mainstream or larger group’ or simply ‘a part splitting from a whole’. What distinguishes the Shia Muslims from the rest of the Muslim community, remarks Farhad Daftary, ‘It is the fundamental belief of the Shia of all branches that the Prophet himself had designated Ali as his successor, a designation (nass) instituted through divine command and revealed by the Prophet at Ghadir Khumm shortly before his death.’

 

The word Shia in Arabic means ‘partisan’ or ‘supporter’. Al-Shahrestani (1086- 1153 CE) gives explanation of Shia sect in his book Al-Milal as, ‘Shi’a are those who followed Ali in particular and believed in his Imamite and Caliphate according to the explicit teachings and testament of the Prophet Muhammad.’ So the main issue that separates Shia Muslims from Sunni Muslims is basically question of succession to Muhammad. The Shia believed that Ali was the only legitimate successor to Muhammad. They condemn the first three Caliphs — Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman as illegitimate successors. Other differences between the Shia and Sunni include different ways of praying, temporary marriage (muta) and religious dissimulation (taqqiya).

There are three major branches of Shia Islam namely Ismaili, Imami Twelvers and Zaiydi.

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