Shia Muslims follow a special way.
They believe Ali should lead. He was the family of Muhammad. This belief helps them stay strong. It is a very old way.
Do you like learning about new ideas?
Shia Islam is a big group of Muslims.
Many people in this group follow Ali. He was the cousin of Muhammad.
They believe Ali was the right leader.
Shia Muslims love the family of Muhammad. They call this family the ahl al-bayt. These leaders help show the way.
They have many special holy places. Some are in lands like Iraq and Iran.
Many people follow this faith today. There are about 200 million followers.
It is a very important way of life.
Shia Islam is a large branch of Islam.
It is the second largest group of Muslims. Most Shia Muslims believe Ali was the right leader. Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad.
They believe Muhammad chose Ali to lead. This choice happened at a place called Ghadir Khumm.
Shia Muslims also follow the family of Muhammad. They call this family the ahl al-bayt. They believe these family members are holy leaders. These leaders are called Imams. Imams help people understand their faith. One very important leader was Husayn. He was the son of Ali. Husayn died in a battle at Karbala.
This event is a big part of their history.
There are about 200 to 260 million Shia Muslims. They live in many different lands. Many live in Iran and Iraq.
They also live in places like Azerbaijan and Bahrain. In Iran, Shia Islam is the main basis for the law.
Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam.
It is a major tradition with many followers. The name Shia comes from an Arabic word meaning followers or supporters. Specifically, it refers to the followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad. Many Shia Muslims believe Muhammad chose Ali to lead the community. They point to a famous sermon at Ghadir Khumm as proof. In this sermon, Muhammad spoke about Ali's importance to the people.
This belief about leadership is very important to Shia faith. They believe in the imamate, which is a line of leaders. These leaders are called Imams. Shia Muslims believe Imams are divinely chosen to lead. They believe Imams can interpret the spiritual meaning of divine law. An Imam is seen as a guide for the community. They are expected to be free from error and sin. This line of leadership started with Ali and continued through his descendants.
The history of this group includes many important events. After Muhammad died in 632, a meeting happened at Saqifa. At this meeting, Abu Bakr was chosen as the first caliph. Sunni Muslims accept this choice as legitimate. However, Shia Muslims believe this went against Muhammad's wishes. Later, Ali became the fourth caliph and ruled from Kufa. His rule was marked by many conflicts and civil wars. One such conflict was known as the First Fitna.
A very significant moment occurred at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Husayn ibn Ali was the son of Ali. He refused to give allegiance to Yazid, the son of Muawiyah. Husayn and about 72 of his followers fought at Karbala. They were killed during this battle. Shia Muslims view Husayn as a martyr who died for justice. This event is a central part of their collective memory. They remember this sacrifice every year on the Day of Ashura.
Today, there are about 200 to 260 million Shia Muslims in the world. They make up about 10 to 13 percent of all Muslims. There are three main branches: Twelverism, Isma'ilism, and Zaydism.
Many Shia people live in Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. They also live in Bahrain, Lebanon, and Yemen. In Iran, Shia Islam is the official basis for the law. Many people also live in the Indian subcontinent and Turkey.
Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of the Islamic faith.
The term "Shia" comes from the Arabic phrase "shīʿatu ʿAlī." This translates to the "followers of Ali." In Arabic, the word conveys meanings of following, supporting, and obedience. Today, the term describes Muslims who believe leadership belongs to Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims believe Muhammad explicitly designated Ali as his rightful successor. They call this successor a caliph, which is a political leader. They also call him an imam, a divinely guided spiritual leader.
This belief in leadership is centered on the concept of the imamate. Shia Muslims believe that Imams are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad. An Imam is a human individual who rules with justice. They are also believed to interpret divine law and its deeper, esoteric meanings. According to this tradition, Imams are chosen by divine decree, a process called nass. They are viewed as infallible, meaning they are free from error and sin. Shia theology holds that there is always an "Imam of the Age." This person provides divinely appointed authority for all matters of faith and law. This line of leadership began with Ali and continued through his descendants.
The history of the Shia identity is tied to early political and religious conflicts. After Muhammad died in 632 CE, a meeting occurred at Saqifa. At this meeting, certain companions elected Abu Bakr as the first caliph. Sunni Muslims accept the legitimacy of Abu Bakr and his successors. However, Shia Muslims believe this meeting violated Muhammad's mandate. They point to a sermon at Ghadir Khumm as evidence. In this sermon, Muhammad stated that anyone who viewed him as a leader must also view Ali as a leader. Shia followers believe those present immediately recognized Ali as the "commander of the believers."
Following the assassination of the third caliph, Uthman, in 656, Ali became the fourth caliph. He established his capital in Kufa. His rule was marked by the First Fitna, which was a major civil war. This conflict involved various revolts against Ali's authority. During this time, Ali fought the Battle of the Camel in 656. He also fought the Battle of Siffin in 657. Later, he defeated the Kharijites at the Battle of Nahrawan in 658. In 661, Ali was assassinated while praying in the Great Mosque of Kufa. This event led to the rise of the Umayyad dynasty under Muawiyah.
A defining moment for the Shia tradition occurred in 680 CE. This was the Battle of Karbala. Ali's son, Husayn ibn Ali, refused to swear allegiance to Yazid, the son of Muawiyah. Husayn traveled toward Kufa with his family and followers. They were intercepted by Yazid's army near Karbala. Husayn and approximately 72 of his followers were killed in the battle. Shia Muslims regard Husayn as a martyr, or shahid. This sacrifice for justice is a central part of Shia collective memory. The event is commemorated annually on the Day of Ashura, which falls on the tenth day of Muharram.
There are three principal branches of Shia Islam today. These are Twelverism, Isma'ilism, and Zaydism. These groups emerged as different lines of the imamate were followed. Shia Muslims also hold a profound reverence for the ahl al-bayt. This term refers to the purified family of Muhammad. They are recognized as the infallible inheritors of his spiritual authority. Sacred sites include the shrine of Ali in Najaf and the shrine of Husayn in Karbala.
Shia Muslims make up an estimated 10% to 13% of the world's Muslim population. This equals approximately 200 to 260 million followers as of 2026. Shia populations are the majority in Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan. They also make up nearly half of the population in Bahrain. Large communities exist in Lebanon, Kuwait, Turkey, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia. They are also found in Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent.
Iran is the only country where Shia Islam is the official foundation of government and law.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (44)
+ 32 more
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.