SHIITE MUSLIM Meaning and
Definition
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Shiite Muslim refers to a member of the Shia branch of Islam, which is the second largest branch of Islam after Sunni Islam. Shiite Muslims are considered to be followers of Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, whom they believe to be the rightful successor to the Islamic leadership.
Shiite Muslims regard Ali and his descendants, known as Imams, as divinely appointed religious authorities with infallible knowledge and spiritual insight. They emphasize the importance of these Imams and hold them in high regard as guides and interpreters of Islamic doctrines and laws. As such, Shiite Muslims look up to their Imams and seek their guidance in matters of faith, religious practice, and legal matters.
Shiite Muslims also hold different beliefs, practices, and customs compared to Sunni Muslims. They mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, during the battle of Karbala, which they commemorate during the holy month of Muharram. They also have distinctive rituals such as self-flagellation, processions, and mass mourning events known as "Ashura."
Moreover, Shiite Muslims make up the majority population in countries like Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan, among others, and have their unique religious institutions, like Hawzas (Islamic seminaries) and Marja' al-Taqlid (Grand Ayatollahs), that play significant roles in shaping religious and political perspectives.
Common Misspellings for SHIITE MUSLIM
- ahiite muslim
- zhiite muslim
- xhiite muslim
- dhiite muslim
- ehiite muslim
- whiite muslim
- sgiite muslim
- sbiite muslim
- sniite muslim
- sjiite muslim
- suiite muslim
- syiite muslim
- shuite muslim
- shjite muslim
- shkite muslim
- shoite muslim
- sh9ite muslim
- sh8ite muslim
- shiute muslim
Etymology of SHIITE MUSLIM
The word "Shiite" is derived from the Arabic term "Shi'ah" (Arabic: شيعة) meaning "followers" or "partisans". In the context of Islam, it refers to those who initially supported Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, to succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community.
Following the death of Muhammad, a dispute arose over the leadership of the Muslim community, known as the caliphate. The supporters of Ali believed that the caliphate should remain within his family as a hereditary succession, thus becoming known as Shia Ali, or Shi'at Ali (the partisan of Ali).
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