Who are shia'an e Ali? Difference and similarities in Sunni and Shia.

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Shiaan e Ali

*Shiaan-e-Ali (شیعانِ علی) — The Followers of Ali (RA)*

The word *"Shia"* literally means _followers, supporters, or partisans_.  

*"Shiaan-e-Ali"* means _the supporters and followers of Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA)_.

*1. Origin of the term*

During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the companions who specially loved and supported Hazrat Ali (RA) were called "Shia-e-Ali". 

The Quran also uses the word _Shia_ in the sense of "group/followers", e.g: _"...and from his Shia was Ibrahim"_ [37:83].

After the Prophet ﷺ, those Muslims who believed that Hazrat Ali (RA) was the most deserving for leadership/Khilafah due to his closeness, knowledge, and designation by the Prophet ﷺ came to be known as Shiaan-e-Ali.

*2. Core Beliefs of Shiaan-e-Ali*

The main difference between Sunni and Shia schools started as a political and leadership question after the Prophet ﷺ, and later developed into theological differences.

*Main beliefs held by Shiaan-e-Ali:*

1. *Imamah / Leadership*:  

   They believe leadership after the Prophet ﷺ was divinely appointed. According to them, Hazrat Ali (RA) was the first Imam, and leadership continued in his lineage through 12 Imams.

2. *The 12 Imams*:  

   1. Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) 

   2. Imam Hasan (RA)

   3. Imam Hussain (RA)

   4. Imam Zain-ul-Abideen

   5. Imam Muhammad Baqir

   6. Imam Jafar Sadiq

   7. Imam Musa Kazim

   8. Imam Ali Raza

   9. Imam Muhammad Taqi

   10. Imam Ali Naqi

   11. Imam Hasan Askari

   12. Imam Muhammad Mahdi — believed to be in occultation

   They believe Imams are _Masoom_ — sinless, and have special knowledge.

3. *Love for Ahlul Bayt*:  

   Deep love and respect for the Prophet’s ﷺ family: Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Hussain (RA). Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) is central to their spirituality.

4. *Important Days*:  

   Ashura, Arbaeen, Ghadir-e-Khum, and birth/death anniversaries of Imams are commemorated with majalis and matam.

5. *Sources*:  

   Quran, Hadith from Prophet ﷺ and the 12 Imams. Major books: Al-Kafi, Man La Yahduruhu Al-Faqih, Tahdhib, Al-Istibsar.

*3. Practices that are distinct*

- *Adhan*: "Hayya Ala Khairil Amal" and "Aliyun Waliullah" are added

- *Prayer*: Often pray 3 times a day by combining prayers

- *Turbah*: Prostrate on natural earth, often a clay tablet from Karbala

- *Mut'ah*: Temporary marriage is considered permissible

*4. Major Branches today*

1. *Twelvers / Ithna Ashari* — 85%+ of Shias worldwide. Follow 12 Imams. Mainly in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan, India.

2. *Ismailis* — Follow a different line of Imams

3. *Zaidis* — Follow Zaid ibn Ali

*5. Respect and Common Ground*

Both Sunnis and Shias:

- Believe in One Allah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the last Prophet, Quran, Qiyamah

- Love all Sahaba and Ahlul Bayt

- Read the same Quran and pray toward Kaaba

The differences are mainly in history of Khilafah, role of Imams, and some fiqh rulings.

*6. Contribution*

Shiaan-e-Ali have contributed greatly to Islamic scholarship, poetry, art, and spirituality. Najaf and Karbala are major centers of Islamic learning. Scholars like Allama Majlisi, Sheikh Tusi, and Allama Tabatabai are well known.

*Summary*:  

Shiaan-e-Ali are Muslims who see Hazrat Ali (RA) as the divinely appointed successor to the Prophet ﷺ and follow the teachings of the 12 Imams from his lineage. Their identity is built around justice, sacrifice, and love for Ahlul Bayt, especially the event of Karbala

Before we discuss, we will talk about the word ,” kharijities”

1. What are khariji in Islam?

The Kharijities were an Islamic sect that came into being during the 1st Muslim civil war(656-661).

Khawarij in English,, kharijities meaning in English , “those who left”. This is the Arabic word Al- Khawarij. It is also called al shurat, spoken by those who were followers of Hazrat Ali bin Talib who was cousin and son in law of the last prophet of Allah, Hazrat Mohammad. 

2. Who is Shiaan e Ali?

Against the Khwariites, the second group was Shiaan e Ali. Shia means follower and obedient

At the start, followers of Hazrat Ali were called Shiaan e Ali.

3. What does Shia believe in?

According to Shia , Hazrat Ali was the first Imam. The Shia reject the three caliphs of Islam and regard Hazrat Ali and follow him as the true successor of Islam. Later on, they used to call them “Shia”

After the last prophet of Allah, Hazrat Mohammad's death, the people of Banu Hasham and some other people considered Hazrat Ali eligible for a caliphate. Some considered Hazat Usman. Some people had thoughts that Hazrat Usman was eligible because he had a relationship with Hazrat Mohammad because he had married two daughters of Hazrat Mohammad two different times, so he was called zoolnorain, a holder of two lights.

At that time, people admitted three caliphs and never went against them.

Muslims were divided into two parts when the ‘ War of Jammal’ was being fought between Hazrat Ali and hazrat Ayesha umm ul moomineen.

When Hazrat Ali was busy with the exploitation of khwarijities,

At the Martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain gathered them at one point. It created intensity, severity and aggression in their feelings and thoughts.. They gathered on one creed.

Who is the current Shia Imam?

The twelfth and last Imam is Al Mehdi. It is believed by Shias that Hazrat Imam Mahdi is alive and hidden in a place, he will come and spread justice all over the world. On the other hand, Sunni Muslims have believed that Hazrat imam Mahdi is not alive but will be born, be brought up and appear on time and kill Dajal and his followers.

Twelver’s and Alvei Muslims believe that the last imam has been foretold.

 

How did Shia In Islam start?

Sunni and Shia are two different sects of Islam. These came into being after the death of Hazrat Umar Farooq, when had to decide who was next caliphate? This was the time when people divided into two groups. One was in  favour of Hazrat Ali and the second was in favour of Hazrat Usman.

Now, violence between Sunni and Shia is a reminder of sectarian conflict in Iraq.

Conflict between these two sects creates tension in the Muslim community,

What are the beliefs of Shia?

Shia and Sunni have more of the same beliefs than conflicts. The Shia community is 13%  of all Muslims in the world. And in five countries they are in the majority; Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Azerbaijan.

What are similarities in Shia and Sunni community?

 

Quran

Shia and Sunni Muslims both believe in the Quran, the last book of Allah. There is no corrupted text version.

Hadith

Shia and Sunni Muslims both believe in hadith and follow the Sunnah of Hazrat Mohammad, the last prophet of Allah.

5 Pillars of Islam

Both groups believe in 5 pillars of Islam; kalma, believe in Allah and his last prophet, Hazrat Mohammad, Salat , zakat, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj, pilgrimage to Makkah.

What are the differences between Shia and Sunni?

*Sunni vs Shia — Detailed Differences

Both are the two major schools of thought in Islam. Together they make up ∼90% of Muslims worldwide. 

Sunnis ∼85-90% and Shias ∼10-15%. Both believe in Allah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Quran, and the 5 pillars.

The differences mainly come from 3 areas: *History/Leadership, Theology, and Fiqh/Practice*.

*1. HISTORY & LEADERSHIP — The Main Difference

**Sunni** **Shia**

**Meaning** *Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah* = People of the Sunnah and the Community *Shia-e-Ali* = Followers/Partisans of Ali

**Leadership after Prophet ﷺ** Believe the Ummah should choose the Caliph through *Shura/consultation*. First 4 Caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali (RA) — *Khulafa-e-Rashideen* Believe leadership was divinely appointed. Imam Ali (RA) was the first Imam, appointed at Ghadir-e-Khum. Leadership continues through 12 Imams from his lineage

**View of Sahaba** Respect all Sahaba, especially the 10 promised Paradise. Don’t believe any Sahabi is sinless Respect Ahlul Bayt most. Have a critical view of some Sahaba who they believe opposed Ali (RA). Believe only Prophets and 12/14 Masoomeen are sinless

**Key Events** Focus on all of Seerah equally Place special emphasis on Ghadir-e-Khum, Saqifah, Karbala

*2. THEOLOGY / AQEEDAH*

Topic **Sunni** **Shia (Twelver)

**Imamah** Political leadership. Caliph can be any qualified Muslim Religious + Political leadership. Imam must be divinely appointed, sinless *Masoom*, and from Ahlul Bayt

**Number of Imams** No concept of 12 Imams Believe in 12 Imams. The 12th Imam, Muhammad Al-Mahdi, is in occultation

**Sources** Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, Qiyas. 6 major Hadith books: Bukhari, Muslim, etc Quran, Hadith from Prophet ﷺ + 12 Imams. 4 major books: Al-Kafi, Man La Yahduruhu Al-Faqih, etc

**Concepts** 6 Articles of Faith 5 *Usul ad-Din*: Tawheed, Adl, Nubuwwah, Imamah, Ma’ad

*3. FIQH / PRACTICAL DIFFERENCES*

Practice **Sunni** **Shia (Twelver)**

**Prayer Times** 5 separate prayers Pray 5 prayers, but often combine: Zuhr+Asr and Maghrib+Isha = 3 times

**Adhan** Allahu Akbar 4x, etc Adds: *Hayya Ala Khairil Amal* and *Aliyun Waliullah*

**Wudu** Wash feet Wipe over feet. Also wash arms from elbow down

**Sajdah** On any clean surface Prefer to prostrate on natural earth, often a *Turbah* from Karbala

**Taraweeh** 20 rakat in congregation in Ramadan Not obligatory. Pray individually

**Mut'ah Marriage** Not permissible Permissible with conditions

**Friday Prayer** 2 khutbas + 2 rakat 2 khutbas + 2 rakat, similar but khutba content differs

*4. IMPORTANT DAYS & COMMEMORATIONS

- *Sunni*: Focus on Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Ramadan, Mawlid, Ashura as a day of fasting.

- *Shia*: Same + _Ghadir-e-Khum, Ashura, Arbaeen, Chehlum, birth/death anniversaries of 12 Imams_. Ashura involves majalis, nauha, and mourning for Imam Hussain (RA).

*5. MAJOR BRANCHES*

*Sunni*: 4 Madhhabs — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali  

*Shia*: Mainly 3 — Ithna Ashari/Twelvers, Ismailis, Zaidis. Most Shias today are Ithna Ashari.

*6. WHAT THEY AGREE ON — 90% Common Ground*

1. *Tawheed*: One Allah

2. *Nubuwwah*: Muhammad ﷺ is the last Prophet

3. *Quran*: Same Quran

4. *5 Pillars*: Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Sawm, Hajj

5. *Love for Prophet ﷺ and Ahlul Bayt*

6. *Qiyamah, Jannat, Jahannam*

Most daily life, akhlaq, and basic ibadat are the same.

*Why the split happened?*

It traces back to the question of succession right after the Prophet ﷺ passed away in 632 CE.  

Sunnis say the community chose Abu Bakr (RA) at Saqifah.  

Shias say Ali (RA) was appointed by the Prophet ﷺ at Ghadir and this right was overlooked.

Over 1400 years these positions developed into separate schools of law, theology, and tradition.

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*Bottom line*: The core is the same Islam. The differences are in who should lead after the Prophet ﷺ, how to interpret some history, and a few fiqh details.

After the death of Hazrat Mohammad, those who followed Hazrat Abu Bkar, the closest companion of the prophet, are called Sunni and those who followed the prophet's cousin and son in law Hazrat Ali are called Shia.

Conflict between these two sects of Islam is a big reality. Both sects fight with each other, even kill each other due to a single word spoken by someone else against them  if he/she is Sunni or Shia.