Shia Islam
Theology and Jurisprudence in Shia Islam
Theology
Usul al-Din (Roots of Religion)
In Shia Islam, the fundamental beliefs are encapsulated in the concept of Usul al-Din, or "Roots of Religion". These form the core theological principles that every Shia Muslim is expected to believe. They include:
- Tawhid - The oneness of God is the most essential principle in Shia theology. It emphasizes that there is only one God and denies any form of polytheism.
- Adalah - Divine justice, which asserts that God is just and fair, and all actions carried out by Him are based on justice.
- Nubuwwah - Prophethood, which asserts that prophets were sent by God to guide humanity. In Shia belief, Muhammad is the final prophet.
- Imamah - Leadership, the belief in a line of imams who are divine leaders appointed by God. This is a key difference between Shia and Sunni Islam.
- Ma'ad - The Day of Resurrection, which includes beliefs in the Day of Judgment and life after death.
Ancillaries of the Faith (Branches of Religion)
The ancillaries, or practical aspects of Shia Islam, are called Furu' al-Din, and they consist of ten practices:
- Salat - Ritual prayer.
- Sawm - Fasting during the month of Ramadan.
- Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime.
- Zakat - Almsgiving, a form of tax to assist those in need.
- Khums - An additional religious tax, particularly significant in Shia practice.
- Jihad - Striving in the way of God, which includes both personal effort against sin and, in some contexts, armed struggle.
- Amr bil Maruf - Enjoining good actions.
- Nahy an al-Munkar - Forbidding wrong actions.
- Tawalla - Expressing love towards the followers of Ali and the family of Muhammad.
- Tabarra - Expressing disassociation from the enemies of the family of Muhammad.
Jurisprudence
Ja'fari Jurisprudence
The Ja'fari school of thought, named after the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, is the foundation of Shia fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). It is one of the most prominent schools and differs significantly from Sunni schools of jurisprudence. Key features include:
- Usool al-Fiqh: Principles of Islamic jurisprudence, which are methodological principles used to derive the rulings of Sharia.
- Ijtihad: The process of making a legal decision by independent interpretation of the Quran and Hadith by qualified scholars known as mujtahids.
- Taqlid: The practice of following the decisions of a high-ranking mujtahid.
Principles of Sharia
Sharia, or Islamic law, is the legal system governing the members of the Islamic faith. In Shia Islam, it is derived from several sources:
- Quran - The holy book of Islam.
- Sunnah - The practices and sayings of Muhammad.
- Ijma - Consensus among the ummah (community of Muslims).
- Qiyas - Analogical reasoning, used less extensively in Shia jurisprudence than in Sunni.
Unique Aspects of Shia Sharia
Shia jurisprudence places a greater emphasis on justice and reason (intellect) in interpreting texts and doctrines. This is evident in the principle of Adalah and the broader use of Ijtihad. Furthermore, the Shia practice of Khums (a form of tax) is more rigorously applied, and the role of Imamah influences various facets of religious and social life.
Related Topics
Shia Islam
Shia Islam is one of the major branches of Islam, constituting about 10-15% of the global Muslim population. This sect differentiates itself from Sunni Islam primarily through its beliefs regarding the succession to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Origins and History
The origins of Shia Islam can be traced back to the early days following the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. Shia Muslims believe that Muhammad designated his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, as his successor. This belief stands in contrast to the Sunni tradition, which holds that Muhammad did not appoint a specific successor, leading to the selection of the Rashidun Caliphs by consensus.
The First Fitna, or Islamic civil war, was a significant turning point that solidified the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Ali's eventual assassination and the tragedy of Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE further entrenched the schism.
Beliefs and Practices
The Twelve Imams
A core tenet of Shia Islam, particularly Twelver Shia, is the belief in a line of twelve divinely appointed leaders, known as the Twelve Imams. These Imams are considered the spiritual and temporal successors to Muhammad. The Twelver Shia community believes that the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is in occultation and will reappear as the Mahdi to bring justice to the world.
Theology and Jurisprudence
Theology in Shia Islam is often referred to as the "roots of religion" and includes beliefs in Tawhid (the oneness of God), Adalah (divine justice), Nubuwwah (prophethood), Imamah (leadership), and Ma'ad (the Day of Judgment). Shia jurisprudence, or fiqh, is based on the teachings of the Imams and the Quran. The Ja'fari school is the predominant school of jurisprudence in Shia Islam, named after the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq.
Rituals and Observances
Shia Muslims observe many of the same rituals as Sunni Muslims, such as the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. However, they also have unique practices, including the commemoration of Ashura, which marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala. This day is observed with mourning, reenactments, and public displays of grief.
Shia Islam Around the World
Iran
Iran is predominantly Twelver Shia, a conversion largely credited to the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century. The Safavids established Twelver Shia Islam as the state religion, which has continued to influence the country's politics and culture.
Iraq
Iraq is home to significant Shia holy cities, including Najaf and Karbala, making it a central hub for Shia scholarship and pilgrimage. The Al-Abbas Mosque in Karbala and the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf are among the holiest sites in Shia Islam.
Lebanon
In Lebanon, Shia Muslims form a substantial part of the population, represented politically by groups like Hezbollah. The Amal Movement is another significant Shia political party in the country.
Other Regions
Shia communities exist in significant numbers in countries like India, Pakistan, Bahrain, Yemen, and Azerbaijan. These communities often face varying degrees of political and social challenges, depending on the dominant religious sect in their respective countries.
Shia-Sunni Relations
The relationship between Shia and Sunni Muslims has been complex and often contentious. The initial schism was both theological and political, and subsequent historical events have occasionally exacerbated tensions. However, there are also many instances of coexistence and shared cultural practices, especially in regions where both communities live together.