ABSTRACT

Shiʿism is one of the two major denominational divisions among Muslims, the other being the Sunnīs. The adherents of Shiʿism are referred to as Shīʿīs or Shiʿites, and Shī ʿa may be used as a collective term. The original name in Arabic is shīʿat ʿAlī, the partisans of ʿAlī. The Shī ʿa constitute approximately 15 percent of the world Muslim population today. They are divided into several sub-groups, particularly the “Twelvers,” “Seveners” or Ismāʿ īlīs, and the “Fivers” or Zaydīs. This chapter will give primary attention to the Twelvers, who recognize twelve Imāms (authoritative leaders) and who form the vast majority of Shīʿīs today. They predominate in Iran and form significant minorities elsewhere, most prominently in Iraq and Lebanon. Brief attention will be given the Zaydīs and Ismāʿ īlīs at the end.