Title of the Nizari Ismaili imams since Hasan Ali Shah, representing direct lineal descent and succession from Imam Ali and Fatimah, Muhammad’s daughter.
Twelfth-century Twelver Shii school of thought in Iran emphasizing literal interpretation of the Quran and hadith, restricting ijtihad, and limiting the role of mujtahids.
A secretive Shii school of thought located in northwestern Syria, emphasizing the absolute oneness of God and allegorical interpretation of religious texts.
Iranian Shii thinker and political activist, proponent of Islamic modernization and social justice.
Tenth day of the Muslim month of Muharram commemorating the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali
Leading Iranian Shia intellectual, cleric, and political organizer, instrumental in the consolidation of clerical rule after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Influential Iranian Shii cleric of the Pahlavi period known for his religious leadership and political involvement.
Fatimah, Hazrat-i Masumah, also known as Bibi Fatimah, was the daughter of the seventh Shii Imam, Musa al-Kazim, and sister of the eighth Imam, Ali al-Rida. She is buried in Qom, Iran, where her grave is the second most important shrine and pilgrimage site in Iran.
Historical site where Prophet Muhammad proclaimed Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor, interpreted differently by Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Influential Iraqi Shii cleric known for his moderate theology, educational and political initiatives, and opposition to Communism.
Hasan ibn Ali (d. 669), Muhammad’s grandson, oldest son of Ali and Fatimah, and second imam in the Shii tradition.
The Twelver Shii doctrine of the Hidden Imam, who is believed to be in occultation and will return as the Mahdi.
Political and social movement founded in the early 1980s aimed at transforming Lebanon into an Islamic state.
Hizb-i Wahdat is an Afghan Shii Islamist political party created in 1990 representing the Shii Hazara ethnic group. Initially radical, it later emphasized ethnicity and formed alliances during the Afghan civil war.
A traditional title given to middle-ranking scholars within Shii clergy who have attained the rank of mujtahid and are qualified to issue legal opinions.
Conservative Shii religio-political school of thought founded in the 1950s to oppose the Bahai faith.
Overview of the state and influence of Islam in Iraq, including historical, demographic, and religious details
Exploration of the Twelvers, the largest subdivision within Shia Islam, known for recognizing twelve imams and the necessity of an imam for the establishment of an ideal Muslim community.
The sixth Shia Imam and founder of the Jafari school of Islamic law.
One of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, renowned for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and his followers in 680 CE.
Khojas: Hindu Indian converts to Shii Islam with three resultant groups - Sunnis, Twelvers, and Nizari Ismailis.
A high religious functionary in Shii Islam, primarily within the Safavid institution, responsible for religious scholarship and legal advisement.
Influential Iranian Grand Ayatollah and student of Ayatollah Khomeini known for his opposition to Iran's clerical government.
An influential Iranian religious scholar, writer, and close associate of Ayatollah Khomeini, known for his significant contributions to Islamic philosophy and jurisprudence.
Najaf, a Shia religious center in Iraq reputedly founded in 791, housing the tomb of Ali ibn Abi Talib.
A North American organization primarily serving Twelver Khoja Muslim communities for religious, educational, social, and economic enhancement.
Narrative accounts of Imam Husayn's martyrdom, commemorated through recitations and chanting.
Founder of the Persian Safavid dynasty in 1501, proclaiming himself both a political and religious leader.
The leading Shii political organization in Pakistan, founded to protect Shii interests against Sunni-dominated Islamization policies
Precautionary denial of religious belief in the face of potential persecution, especially emphasized in Shia Islam.
An international Shia Islamic organization headquartered in London, focusing on various socioreligious and humanitarian activities within Shia communities.
Grandson of Husayn and an influential figure in Shia Islam, known for his activist stance and rebellion against the Umayyad dynasty.
Fourth Shii Imam, descendant of Prophet Muhammad, survivor of the Karbala massacre, and notable scholar and figure of patience.
A mystical book attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib, containing esoteric teachings for his descendants, significant in Shia belief and associated with Jafar al-Sadiq
A comprehensive study on the Fatimide dynasty (al-Fāṭimīyah), their reign over Egypt and North Africa, and their influence on Islamic history.
Fatimah, Daughter of Muhammad and Khadijah, wife of Ali ibn Abi Talib, and mother of Hasan and Husayn.
An Islamic tax representing one-fifth of surplus wealth, significant in Shia Islam.
Rulings of the early Shia imams in the form of hadith, systematically compiled and consulted as a source of law.
An influential Shia activist group formed in Iraq in the late 1950s, aiming for social justice and the establishment of an Islamic state.
The principle of guardianship or rule by a jurist according to Shia Islamic governance, as conceptualized and implemented in modern Iran.
An exploration of the term 'Rāfiẓī,' its historical origin, usage within Islamic sects, and its implications in Muslim society.
Explore the historical and religious significance of Karbalāʾ, the site of Imam Husain's martyrdom and a major pilgrimage destination in Islam. Understand its geographical location, religious context, and cultural impact.
Individuals who lived, interacted with, heard, or saw the Prophet Muhammad, playing a significant role in early Islamic history.
Influential Iranian legal scholar in the 20th century renowned for his contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and his role in political events in Iran.
Prominent Shii cleric responsible for the importance of Qom as a center of Shii learning and founder of the Hawzah-yi Ilmiyah Seminary.
Explore the Rāfiẓīyah sect, its various subdivisions, and the beliefs that distinguish each group. Understand their historical and theological contexts, and how these beliefs have impacted the broader Islamic tradition.
A major branch of Ismaili Shia Islam recognized by unique doctrinal positions, historical evolution, and leadership under the lineage of the Aga Khans.
Comprehensive overview of Al-Ḥusain, his historical significance, the events of Karbala, and how his martyrdom is commemorated in Islamic tradition.
Learn about the term 'Imām-Bārah,' its cultural and religious significance, and its role in commemorating the deaths of ʿAlī and his sons, Ḥasan and Ḥusain. Understand the structure and functions of Imām-Bārah and its importance in Shia Islam.
An in-depth exploration of Mutʿah (متعة), its legal interpretations, historical context, and significance within various sects of Islam.
Explore the term 'Taʿzīah,' its meaning, context, and role in Shia Islamic traditions. Understand its cultural and religious significance during the sacred month of Muharram.
