Taqavi Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 What is the meaning of Shiite Literally and technically? The word Shia means a group of people who are the same in their opinion and their doing, and have a community with each other.[1] And it has said, a people that some follow others.[2] But in the term, Shia means follower and subservient, and it is used for those who believe in the immediate caliphate of Imam Ali(a) as the first successor of the prophet[3] and who believe that the successors of the Prophet (s) are selected by the Almighty Allah. Therefore, it refers to one of the two major Islamic denominations. Shiites believe that Ali (as) who is Prophet Muhammad (s)'s cousin and son-in-law, is the most qualified candidate for leading the Islamic nation after Muhammad (s). This idea is the main distinction between Shia and Sunni. The concept of "Imamate" is based on this idea and it is one of "the five principles of the religion" (Usoul Ad-Deen) of the Shiite denomination. In Shiite belief, the Imam is the person appointed by Allah (swt) and announced by the prophet (s) to be his successor. [1] . Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-Arab, vol. 8, p. 188. [2] . Al-Jawhari, Abu Nasr, Al-Sihah Taj Al-Lughah wal-Sihah Al-Arabiya, vol. 3, p. 1240. [3] . Sheikh Mufid, Muhammad bin Muhammad bin Numan/ Awāil al-Maqalāl/p. 35"فهو على التخصيص لا محالة لا تباع أمير المؤمنين - صلوات الله عليه - على سبيل الولاء والاعتقاد لإمامته بعد الرسول - صلوات الله عليه وآله - بلا فصل ونفي الإمامة عمن تقدمه في مقام الخلافة وجعله في الاعتقاد متبوعا لهم غير تابع لأحد منهم على وجه الاقتداء " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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