Read Dialogue, page 83

The Shi‘a or Shi‘ite Muslims

Introduction

There is a deep divide within the world Muslim movement. This is the Shi’a/ Sunni difference.

1. The Shi‘a Muslim community has its roots in a debate about authority to lead the Muslims that developed at the time of the death of Muhammad in 632 A.D.

1.1 The companions of Muhammad believed that those who were closest to their prophet should lead the Muslims. The group that later became knows as the Shi‘a (party of ‘Ali) insisted that a descendant of Muhammad should lead the Muslims. Since Muhammad had no sons, their chosen leader was the son-in-law of Muhammad, ‘Ali ibn abi Talib.

1.2 The first three caliphs or leaders of the Muslim community were Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman. Tragically Uthman was assassinated, and thereafter Ali became caliph, but the Muslim community was not united in this decision. Ali moved his caliphate from Medina to the more friendly environment of Kufa in present day Iraq. Civil war broke out and Ali was assassinated.

1.3 The struggle for leadership of the Muslim community continued, and in 680 A.D., Husayn, who was Ali’s son and of course Muhammad’s grandson, was assassinated at Karbala, also in present day Iraq. The Shi‘a have never forgotten what happened, and have special rituals of remembrance on the anniversary of the assassination. The assassination of Husayn at Karbala was an event that deepened the divide in the Muslim community known as the Shi‘a and Sunni communities.

2. The Shi‘a are about 10% of the worldwide Muslim community.

2.1 Most of the Shi‘a are Iranian, but there are significant Shi‘a communities in other countries as well.

2.2 There are a variety of Shi‘a groups; for example, the Isma‘ilis have been quite prominent in East Africa with the Aga Khan as their leader. The Iranian Shi ‘ites are known as the Twelvers or Imamis. They believe that the twelfth imam vanished, but that he will return at the end of history to prepare the world for the final judgment.

3. The Shi‘a are united with Sunni in their commitment to the Quran as the central authority. Like the Sunni, the Shi‘a also rely on Hadith, although they have a different system of Hadith than the Sunni. The Shi‘a have three systems of Shari‘a, but they are also different than the four systems of the Sunni.

3.1 However, the most important difference between the Shi‘a and the Sunni is their belief that the imam who is the head of the community is so closely connected to God that he is inspired in ways that empower him to give infallible leadership. This authority to interpret the Quran and exercise infallible spiritual leadership is known as ilhan (inspiration).

3.2 The authority of the imam is expressed in different ways within the different Shi‘ite groups. Some groups are very progressive and adapt readily to modern times. Others are conservative and seek to preserve the ways of the past without change. However all Shi‘ites are united in their belief that the imam is infallible, and in fact, that he has the authority to intercede to God for the all who honor him as imam.

Conclusion

Muslims often observe that the global Christian movement has great diversity and divisions. The same is true of the Muslim movement. It behooves both Christians and Muslims to refrain from the divisions of the other, for each movement struggles with differences that have sometimes led to divisions and even hostility.