Editing Shia Islam (section)

==Beliefs==
{{main|Shia Islamic beliefs and practices}}
{{cleanup section|reason=cluttered, inconsistent, and confusing|date=October 2022}}

Shīʿa Islam encompasses [[Islamic schools and branches#Shīʿa Islam|various denominations and subgroups]],<ref name="Britannica738" /> all bound by the belief that the leader of the [[Ummah|Muslim community]] (''Ummah'') should hail from ''[[Ahl al-Bayt]]'', the family of the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Martin |first=Richard C. |title=Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World |date=2003 |publisher=Macmillan reference USA |isbn=978-0-02-865603-8 |location=New York |pages=621–624 |chapter=Shīʿa}}</ref> It embodies a completely independent system of religious interpretation and political authority in the [[Muslim world]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Druze and Islam |url=http://americandruze.com/Druze%20And%20Islam.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514143649/http://americandruze.com/Druze%20And%20Islam.html |archive-date=14 May 2011 |access-date=12 August 2010 |publisher=americandruze.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ijtihad in Islam |url=http://alqazwini.org/qazwini_org/articles/by_articles/ijtihad.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050102023635/http://alqazwini.org/qazwini_org/articles/by_articles/ijtihad.htm |archive-date=2 January 2005 |access-date=12 August 2010 |publisher=AlQazwini.org}}</ref>

=== Alī: Muhammad's rightful successor ===
{{main|Shia view of Ali|Succession to Muhammad}}
{{further|Ali in the Quran}}
[[File:InsideImamAliMosqueNajafIraq.JPG|thumb|[[Zarih|Ḍarīẖ]] over ʿAlī's ''qabr'' (grave), [[Imam Ali Shrine|Sanctuary of Imām ʿAlī]] in [[Najaf]], [[Iraq]], the holiest site in Shia Islam.]]

Shīʿa Muslims believe that just as a [[Prophets in Islam|prophet]] is appointed by [[God in Islam|God]] alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe God chose [[Ali|ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib]] to be Muhammad's successor and the first [[caliph]] ({{Langx|ar|خليفة|translit=khalifa}}) of Islam. Shīʿa Muslims believe that Muhammad designated Ali as his successor by God's command on several instances, but most notably at [[The event of Ghadir Khumm|Eid Al Ghadir]].<ref>{{harvnb|Momen|1985|p=15}}</ref><ref name="shiite-doctrine">{{cite web |editor=Ehsan Yarshater |title=Shiʻite Doctrine |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/shiite-doctrine |first1=Mohammad Ali |last1=Amir-Moezzi |date=July 20, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517022711/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/shiite-doctrine |archive-date=17 May 2015 |access-date=22 January 2019 |publisher=Encyclopædia Iranica}}</ref> Additionally, ʿAlī was Muhammad's first-cousin and closest living male relative as well as his son-in-law, having married Muhammad's daughter, [[Fatimah|Fāṭimah]].<ref name="Merriam-Webster 1999, p. 525">Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions, Wendy Doniger, Consulting Editor, Merriam-Webster, Inc., Springfield, MA 1999, {{ISBN|0-87779-044-2}}, LoC: BL31.M47 1999, p. 525</ref><ref name="Esposito, John 2002. p. 46">"Esposito, John. "What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam" Oxford University Press, 2002. {{ISBN|978-0-19-515713-0}}. p. 46</ref>

=== Profession of faith (''Shahada'') ===
[[File:Kalema-tut-shahadat.jpg|thumb|left|Kalema at [[Qibla]] of the [[Mosque of Ibn Tulun]] in [[Cairo]], [[Egypt]], displaying the phrase ''Ali-un-Waliullah'' ({{lang|ar|علي ولي الله}}: "ʿAlī is the ''[[Wali]]'' (custodian) of [[God in Islam|God]]").]]

The Shīʿīte version of the ''[[Shahada]]'' ({{Langx|ar|الشهادة‎}}), the Islamic profession of faith, differs from that of the [[Sunni Islam|Sunnīs]].<ref name="Shahada">{{cite web |url=http://www.mideastweb.org/Middle-East-Encyclopedia/shahada.htm |title=Encyclopedia of the Middle East |publisher=Mideastweb.org |date=14 November 2008 |access-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512174339/http://www.mideastweb.org/Middle-East-Encyclopedia/shahada.htm |archive-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> The Sunnī version of the ''Shahada'' states ''La ilaha illallah, Muhammadun rasulullah'' ({{Langx|ar|لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله|lit=There is no god except God, Muhammad is the messenger of God}}), but in addition to this declaration of faith Shīʿa Muslims add the phrase ''Ali-un-Waliullah'' ({{Langx|ar|علي ولي الله|lit=Ali is the friend of God}}). The basis for the Shīʿīte belief in ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib as the ''Wali'' of God is derived from the Qur'anic verse {{qref|5|55}}.

This additional phrase to the declaration of faith embodies the Shīʿīte emphasis on the inheritance of authority through [[Ahl al-Bayt|Muhammad's family and lineage]]. The three clauses of the Shīʿīte version of the ''Shahada'' thus address the fundamental Islamic beliefs of ''[[Tawhid|Tawḥīd]]'' ({{Langx|ar|تَوْحِيد|lit=oneness of God}}), ''[[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Nubuwwah]]'' ({{Langx|ar|نبوة|lit=prophethood}}), and ''[[Imamate in Shia doctrine|Imamah]]'' ({{Langx|ar|إمامة|lit=Imamate or leadership}}).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-12-09|title=اضافه شدن نام حضرت علی (ع) به شهادتین|url=https://article.tebyan.net/145755|access-date=2021-08-28|website=fa}}</ref>

=== Infallibility (''Ismah'') ===
{{main|Ismah}}

''Ismah'' ({{Langx|ar|عِصْمَة|lit=protection|translit='Iṣmah or 'Isma}}) is the concept of [[infallibility]] or "divinely bestowed freedom from error and sin" in Islam.<ref name="Dabashi" /> Muslims believe that Muhammad, along with the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|other prophets and messengers]], possessed ''ismah''. [[Twelver Shi'ism|Twelver]] and [[Isma'ilism|Ismāʿīlī]] Shīʿa Muslims also attribute the quality to [[Imamah (Shia doctrine)|Imams]] as well as to [[Fatimah|Fāṭimah]], daughter of Muhammad, in contrast to the [[Zaydism|Zaydī Shīʿas]], who do not attribute ''ismah'' to the Imams.<ref>Francis Robinson, ''Atlas of the Muslim World'', p. 47.</ref> Though initially beginning as a political movement, infallibility and sinlessness of the Imams later evolved as a distinct belief of (non-Zaydī) Shīʿīsm.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia | url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii | title=Shīʿite | encyclopedia=Britannica | access-date=21 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720054917/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii | archive-date=20 July 2019 | url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Schools of Islamic theology#Shīʿa schools of theology|Shīʿa Muslim theologians]], infallibility is considered a rational, necessary precondition for spiritual and religious guidance. They argue that since [[God in Islam|God]] has commanded absolute obedience from these figures, they must only order that which is right. The state of infallibility is based on the Shīʿīte interpretation of the [[verse of purification]].<ref>{{qref|33|33|b=y}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Momen|1985|p=155}}</ref> Thus, they are the most pure ones, the only immaculate ones preserved from, and immune to, all uncleanness.<ref>Corbin (1993), pp. 48, 49</ref> It does not mean that supernatural powers prevent them from committing a [[Islamic views on sin|sin]], but due to the fact that they have absolute belief in God, they refrain from doing anything that is a sin.<ref name="Dabashi">{{cite book |last=Dabashi |date=2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sTFdNNQP4ewC&pg=PA463 |title=Theology of Discontent: The Ideological Foundatation of the Islamic Revolution in Iran |page=463|publisher=Transaction Publishers |isbn=978-1412839723 }}</ref>

They also have a complete knowledge of God's will. They are in possession of all knowledge brought by the [[Angels in Islam|angels]] ({{Langx|ar|ملائِكة|translit=malāʾikah}}) to the prophets ({{Langx|ar|أنبياء|translit=anbiyāʼ}}) and the messengers ({{Langx|ar|رُسل|translit=rusul}}). Their knowledge encompasses the totality of all times. Thus, they are believed to act without fault in religious matters.<ref>Corbin (1993), p. 48</ref> Shi'a Muslims regard [[Ali|ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib]] as the [[Succession to Muhammad|successor of Muhammad]] not only ruling over the entire [[Ummah|Muslim community]] in justice, but also in interpreting the Islamic faith, practices, and its esoteric meaning. ʿAlī is regarded as a "[[Al-Insān al-Kāmil|perfect man]]" ({{Langx|ar|الإنسان الكامل|translit=al-insan al-kamil}}) similar to Muhammad, according to the Shīʿīte perspective.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1.shtml |title=How do Sunnis and Shias differ theologically? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417082653/http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1.shtml |archive-date=17 April 2014 |date=2009-08-19 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

=== Occultation (''Ghaybah'') ===
{{main|Occultation (Islam)|Reappearance of Hujjat Allah al-Mahdi}}
{{further|Major Occultation|Minor Occultation|The Fourteen Infallibles}}
[[File:Jamkaran Mosque مسجد جمکران قم 21.jpg|thumb|[[Jamkaran Mosque]] in [[Qom]], [[Iran]], is a popular pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims. Local belief holds that the [[Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi|12th Shīʿīte Imam]]—the promised [[Mahdi]] according to [[Twelver Shi'ism|Twelvers]]—once appeared and offered prayers at Jamkaran.]]

The [[Occultation (Islam)|Occultation]] is an [[Islamic eschatology|eschatological belief]] held in various denominations of Shīʿa Islam concerning a [[Messianism|messianic figure]], the hidden and last Imam known as "the [[Mahdi]]", that one day shall return on Earth and fill the world with justice. According to the doctrine of [[Twelver Shi'ism|Twelver Shīʿīsm]], the main goal of Imam Mahdi will be to establish an [[Islamic state]] and to apply [[Sharia|Islamic laws]] that were revealed to Muhammad. The Quran does not contain verses on the Imamate, which is the basic doctrine of Shīʿa Islam.<ref>Nasr, Sayyed Hossein. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=btmNZgztDrAC&pg=PA19 Expectation of the Millennium : Shiìsm in History]'', State University of New York Press, 1989, p. 19, {{ISBN|978-0-88706-843-0}}</ref> Some [[Islamic schools and branches#Shīʿa Islam|Shīʿa subsects]], such as the [[Zaydism|Zaydī Shīʿas]] and [[Nizari Isma'ilism|Nizārī Ismāʿīlīs]], do not believe in the idea of the Occultation. The groups which do believe in it differ as to which lineage of the Imamate is valid, and therefore which individual has gone into Occultation. They believe there are many signs that will indicate the time of his return.

Twelver Shīʿa Muslims believe that the prophesied Mahdi and [[Twelve Imams|12th Shīʿīte Imam]], [[Muhammad al-Mahdi|Hujjat Allah al-Mahdi]], is already on Earth in Occultation, and [[Reappearance of Hujjat Allah al-Mahdi|will return at the end of time]]. [[Tayyibi Isma'ilism|Ṭayyibi Ismāʿīlīs]] and Fatimid/Bohra/[[Dawoodi Bohra]] believe the same but for their 21st Ṭayyib, [[At-Tayyib Abi l-Qasim]], and also believe that a ''[[Da'i al-Mutlaq]]'' ("Unrestricted Missionary") maintains contact with him. [[Sunni Islam|Sunnī Muslims]] believe that the future Mahdi has not yet arrived on Earth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islamic_sects.htm |title=Compare Shia and Sunni Islam |date=March 17, 2004 |publisher=ReligionFacts |access-date=4 May 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429101140/http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islamic_sects.htm |archive-date=29 April 2011}}</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable ([[WP:NOTRS]]).|date=March 2025}}

====Hadith tradition====
Shīʿa Muslims believe that the status of ʿAlī is supported by numerous [[Hadith|''ḥadīth'' reports]], including the [[Hadith of the pond of Khumm]], [[Hadith of the two weighty things]], [[Hadith of the pen and paper]], [[Hadith of warning|Hadith of the invitation of the close families]], and [[Hadith of the Twelve Successors]]. In particular, the [[Ahl al-Kisa|Hadith of the Cloak]] is often quoted to illustrate Muhammad's feeling towards ʿAlī and his family by both Sunnī and Shia scholars. Shia Muslims prefer to study and read the hadith attributed to the ''[[Ahl al-Bayt]]'' and close associates, and most [[List of Shia books#Hadith collections|have their own separate hadith canon]].<ref>"[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZPokHByS3N0C&pg=PA135 The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Religions]", Brandon Toropov, Father Luke Buckles, Alpha; 3rd ed., 2004, {{ISBN|978-1-59257-222-9}}, p. 135</ref><ref>''Shiʻite Islam'', by Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i (1979), pp. 41–44 {{ISBN?}}</ref>

=== Holy Relics (''Tabarruk'') ===
Shīʿa Muslims believe that the armaments and sacred items of all of the [[Abrahamic religions|Abrahamic]] [[Prophets of Islam|prophets]], including [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]], were handed down in succession to the Imams of the ''[[Ahl al-Bayt]]''. [[Ja'far al-Sadiq|Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq]], the [[The Twelve Imams|6th Shīʿīte Imam]], in ''[[Kitab al-Kafi]]'' mentions that "with me are the arms of the Messenger of Allah. It is not disputable."<ref name="Kulayni">{{cite book |last1=Al-Kulayni |first1=Abu Jaʼfar Muhammad ibn Yaʼqub |title=Kitab al-Kafi |date=2015 |publisher=The Islamic Seminary Inc. |location=South Huntington, NY |isbn=978-0-9914308-6-4 }}{{page needed|date=August 2023}}</ref>

Further, he claims that with him is the sword of the Messenger of God, his coat of arms, his Lamam (pennon) and his helmet. In addition, he mentions that with him is the flag of the Messenger of God, the victorious. With him is the Staff of [[Moses in Islam|Moses]], the ring of [[Solomon in Islam|Solomon]], son of [[David in Islam|David]], and the tray on which Moses used to offer his offerings. With him is the name that whenever the Messenger of God would place it between the Muslims and pagans no arrow from the pagans would reach the Muslims. With him is the similar object that angels brought.<ref name="Kulayni" />

Al-Ṣādiq also narrated that the passing down of armaments is synonymous to receiving the ''Imamat'' (leadership), similar to how the [[Ark of Covenant]] in the house of the [[Israelites]] signaled prophethood.<ref name="Kulayni" /> Imam [[Ali al-Ridha]] narrates that wherever the armaments among us would go, knowledge would also follow and the armaments would never depart from those with knowledge (''Imamat'').<ref name="Kulayni" />

=== Other doctrines ===

==== Doctrine about necessity of acquiring knowledge ====
According to [[Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar]], God gives humans the faculty of reason and argument. Also, God orders humans to spend time thinking carefully on creation while he refers to all creations as his signs of power and glory. These signs encompass all of the universe. Furthermore, there is a similarity between humans as the little world and the universe as the large world. God does not accept the faith of those who follow him without thinking and only with imitation, but also God blames them for such actions. In other words, humans have to think about the universe with reason and intellect, a faculty bestowed on us by God. Since there is more insistence on the faculty of intellect among Shia Muslims, even evaluating the claims of someone who claims prophecy is on the basis of intellect.<ref>{{cite book|author=Allamah Muhammad Rida Al Muzaffar|title=The faith of Shia Islam|year=1989|page=1|publisher=Ansariyan Qum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.introducingislam.org/info/muzaffar/chapter1.php|title=The Beliefs of Shia Islam – Chapter 1|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025175646/http://www.introducingislam.org/info/muzaffar/chapter1.php|archive-date=25 October 2016}}</ref>