Branch of Islam
Shia Islam
The branch of Islam that holds leadership after Muhammad belonged to Ali and his descendants, and that treats the Four Books as its hadith canon.
Shia Muslims are the smaller branch of Islam. The name means the party of Ali. They hold that leadership after Muhammad belonged to Ali and his descendants, and Imami Shi‘a treat four books of traditions as their canon, beginning with al-Kafi.
What do Shia Muslims believe? states that in their sources. What is the difference between Sunni and Shia Islam? sets the two branches side by side. A Sunni hadith on another page is marked as Sunni, and the note says what still stands from the Qur’an.
Articles
- What do Shia Muslims believe?
Shia Muslims are the smaller branch of Islam. They confess one God and Muhammad as his messenger, and they hold that leadership after him belonged to Ali and his descendants.