Sunni and Shia Muslims share core Islamic beliefs, but their division stems largely from political disagreements over leadership after Prophet Muhammad's death and led to differing practices and spiritual positions.

Shiʿi, member of the smaller of the two major branches of Islam, the Shiʿah, distinguished from the majority Sunnis. The origins of the split between the Sunnis and the Shiʿah lie in the events which followed the death of the Prophet Muhammad.

Shi‘a Islam, also known as Shi‘ite Islam or Shia, is the second largest branch of Islam after Sunni Islam. Shias adhere to the teachings of Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family (who are referred to as the Ahl al-Bayt) or his descendants known as Shia Imams.

Though the two main sects within Islam, Sunni and Shia, agree on most of the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam, a bitter split between the two goes back some 14 centuries. The divide...

What is a Shia Muslim? Like any other Muslim, a Shia Muslim shares the fundamental theological beliefs of Islam, such as the Oneness of God, Prophethood, the finality of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), the Holy Quran and its miraculous nature, the resurrection on the Day of Judgement, and Paradise and Hellfire.

In Shi'a Islam, the title is given to a line of descendants of Muhammad (twelve in all) who are believed to be exemplary human beings. should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet...

Shia Muslims form a majority of the population in three countries across the Muslim world: Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. Significant Shia communities are also found in Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent.

Shia Islam is one of the two major sects within Islam. Along with monotheism, prophethood, and resurrection, Imamate is a principle held by Shi'a Islam, distinguishing it from Sunni Islam. In Shi'a Islam, an Imam is believed to be appointed by God and introduced to the people through the Prophet (s).

The majority of Muslims are Sunni Muslims (hereafter just Sunni); however, Shia Muslims (hereafter just Shia) are a large minority throughout Islamic world. Shia can be found from South Asia to West Africa, north to the south, and even among minority Muslims communities in western countries.