The spelling of the word "shiah" represents the English phonetic pronunciation of the Arabic word "Shia", which is a branch of Islam. The IPA phonetic transcription for "shiah" is /ˈʃiːə/, with the first sound being a voiceless postalveolar fricative (represented by "sh"), followed by a long vowel sound (represented by "i"), and a schwa sound (represented by "ə"). This spelling follows the English language's rules for representing foreign words using the English alphabet, while still attempting to accurately represent the original pronunciation.
Shiah, also spelled as Shia or Shi'a, is a term used to refer to a sect within Islam. The term originates from the Arabic word "Shi'atu Ali," meaning "partisans of Ali." It represents the followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib, who was the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad.
The Shiah are distinguished from the majority of Muslims, known as Sunni Muslims, by their specific beliefs and practices. They consider Ali and his descendants, known as Imams, as the rightful successors to the Prophet Muhammad's leadership. They believe that the Imams possess divinely appointed knowledge and authority, making them the religious and political leaders of the Muslim community.
The Shiah also hold mourning ceremonies to commemorate the martyrdom of Ali and his son, Hussein, during the month of Muharram. These ceremonies often involve processions, sermons, and rituals, including self-flagellation as an expression of grief.
Throughout history, the Shiah have established their own distinct religious and legal traditions, including their interpretation of Islamic laws. They have various sub-sects and diverse beliefs, leading to a rich tapestry of traditions within the Shiah community.
It is important to note that the term "Shiah" is not used exclusively within Islamic contexts but may also be used more broadly to refer to followers of the sect, their practices, or their opinions.
The word "Shiah" or "Shi'a" is derived from an Arabic term called "Shīʿatu ʿAlī", which means "followers of Ali" or "partisans of Ali". Ali ibn Abi Talib was a cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and he is considered as the fourth caliph by Shi'a Muslims.
The division between Shi'a and Sunni Muslims originated after the death of Muhammad in 632 AD when there was a disagreement over the succession of leadership in the Muslim community. Shi'a Muslims believed that Ali should have been the rightful successor, while the majority of Muslims, who became known as Sunni Muslims, believed in a different succession. Over time, the term "Shi'a" became associated with those who followed the Shi'a interpretation of Islam and recognized Ali as the legitimate successor to Muhammad.