Definition

Noun: - The branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to the Prophet Muhammad and rejects the authority of the first three caliphs. It is one of the two main branches of Islam, the other being Sunni Islam.

Usage

• Shiism is used as a proper noun to refer to the religious doctrine, tradition, and community of Shia Muslims.
• It is often discussed in contexts of theology, history, and comparative religion.

Examples

• The history of Shiism is central to understanding the early schism in Islam.
• A core tenet of Shiism is the belief in the Imamate, the spiritual and political leadership of the descendants of Ali.
• Scholars often compare the legal and theological schools within Shiism and Sunni Islam.

Advanced Usage

• Twelver Shiism: The largest branch of Shiism, which believes in a line of twelve Imams.
• Ismaili Shiism: A branch of Shiism that follows a different line of Imams after the sixth Imam, Jafar al-Sadiq.
• Political Shiism: A term sometimes used to analyze the role of Shia identity and institutions in modern politics.

Variants and Related Words

• Shia (noun): A follower of Shiism; also used as an adjective (e.g., Shia community).
• Shiite (noun): Another term for a follower of Shiism.
• Shi'a (noun): An alternate transliteration for Shia.
• Imami: Relating to the Twelver Shia tradition, emphasizing the belief in the Twelve Imams.

Synonyms

• Shia Islam
• The Shia tradition

Notes on Meaning

While Shiism specifically denotes the branch of Islam, it encompasses various subgroups (like Twelver, Ismaili, Zaydi) that share the core belief in Ali's rightful succession but may differ on subsequent leadership and theological details. It is distinct from Sunni Islam, which accepts the legitimacy of the first four caliphs.

Noun

1. the branch of Islam that regards Ali as the legitimate successor to Mohammed and rejects the first three caliphs