What Is Shia

Shias are Muslims, whom believe that the successor to the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) was his Son In Law and Cousin Imam Ali A.S. (Peace Be Upon Him).

A Divine rule can be established only by a man , who, where justice and equity are required, neither feels deficient nor weak and who is not greedy and avaricious. . . . - (Hazrat Ali Ibne Abi Talib (A.S)

Sunni Muslims believe that Imam Ali (A.S.) was not the successor of the Prophet and instead chose to elect someone, this is where Sunni and Shia differentiate. Shia and Sunni Muslims both follow and adhere to Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the Holy Quran, 5 namaz (Prayers) per day, Hajj, Zakat, and Fasting of Ramazan. Shia and Sunnis both follow the same scripture and pray to the same God.

Sunni Muslims follow their Imams, which are Abu Baker, Umar and Uthman. Shia muslim’s follow Imam Ali (A.S.) and his godly appointed progeny. The majority of Shias believe in the 12 Apostles chosen by god. Each of whom served their term till they were either assasinated by the ruler of the day or died of natural causes. The last apostle according to Shia Islam still lives among us, though we cannot recognise him.

There are 130 million Shia in the World today, most notably spread out in majority in the Middle East. The majority live in Iran, the rest in Pakistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. They are also spread throughout Europe the USA and Asia.

In most Muslim communities and for most part of the their history, the Shia’s have lived in peace and harmony with the Sunni Muslims. But, having said this Shia Muslims have also been persecuted just for being Shia. Most notable examples of modern History are Afghanistan, by the former Taleban government and in Iraq, by Saddam Hussein’s former regime.