Shiah
Definition
Noun 1. One of the two major branches of Islam: Shiah (also commonly spelled Shia) refers to the branch of Islam that believes leadership of the Muslim community after the Prophet Muhammad rightly belongs to his descendants through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. This branch is contrasted with Sunni Islam.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The Shiah tradition has a distinct interpretation of Islamic history and law.
- Most followers of Shiah Islam live in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan.
Advanced Usage
- "Shiah Islam": The complete religious system, jurisprudence, and theology of this branch.
- The study of Shiah Islam involves understanding the concept of the Imamate.
Variants and Related Words
- Shia: The more common modern transliteration of the same term.
- Shiite (noun): An adherent of Shiah Islam.
- Shiism (noun): The collective doctrines and practices of the Shiah branch.
Synonyms
- Shiism (when referring to the branch as a body of belief)
- The Party of Ali (a historical translation of the term )
Notes on Meaning
The term "Shiah" is specific to Islamic theology and sociology. It denotes not just a religious group but also a school of thought with its own legal traditions (Ja'fari jurisprudence), theological interpretations, and religious practices distinct from Sunni Islam. Its core defining principle is the belief in the divinely appointed leadership (Imamate) of specific descendants of the Prophet.
Noun
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one of the two main branches of orthodox Islam; mainly in Iran
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