checkuser
53
edits
Ithna Ashariyah: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
The term '''Ithna Ashariyah''' (“T'welver”) or Imami refers to the denomination of [[Shiʿa|Shi‘ism]] to which the majority of Shi‘as worldwide adhere. The Ithna ʿAshariyah are also known as Imamiyah because of their main tenet regarding the necessity of the [[imam]] for the establishment of the ideal Muslim community under divine revelation. The term Shiʿa is generally applied to the Twelvers, despite the fact that there are other factions, such as the [[Isma’ili|Ismaʿiliyah]] and [[Zaydiyah]], that are also included within Shiʿi Islam. | The term '''Ithna Ashariyah''' (“T'welver”) or Imami refers to the denomination of [[Shiʿa|Shi‘ism]] to which the majority of Shi‘as worldwide adhere. The Ithna ʿAshariyah are also known as Imamiyah because of their main tenet regarding the necessity of the [[imam]] for the establishment of the ideal Muslim community under divine revelation. The term Shiʿa is generally applied to the Twelvers, despite the fact that there are other factions, such as the [[Isma’ili|Ismaʿiliyah]] and [[Zaydiyah]], that are also included within Shiʿi Islam. | ||
Characteristic of Twelver Shi‘ism is recognition of the authority of twelve successive imams (spiritual leaders) who were members or descendants of [[ahl al-bayt]] (the prophet [[Muhammad]]’s immediate family). Their authority is said to have been transmitted over time via the lineage of Muhammad’s daughter [[Fatima]] and her husband, [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib|Ali ibn Abi Taleb]]. Also | Characteristic of Twelver Shi‘ism is recognition of the authority of twelve successive imams (spiritual leaders) who were members or descendants of [[ahl al-bayt]] (the prophet [[Muhammad]]’s immediate family). Their authority is said to have been transmitted over time via the lineage of Muhammad’s daughter [[Fatima]] and her husband, [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib|Ali ibn Abi Taleb]]. Also among the characteristics of Twelver Shi‘ism is an emotional attachment to ahl al-bayt that manifests itself in annual rituals commemorating the battlefield death of the [[Hussain ibn Ali|imam Hussain]], grandson of Muhammad. | ||
==Historical Development== | ==Historical Development== | ||
The Ithna ʿAshariyah trace their history to the investiture, in Ghadir Khumm (modern-day Juhfah), of [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib]], the first imam, with [[Wilayah|wilaya]] (discretionary authority) by [[Muhammad]] after the Prophet 's Farewell Pilgrimage. Following Muhammad 's death in 632, the leadership of the nascent community was assumed by the Prophet 's leading companion, [[Abu Bakr]], but a group of Muslims refused to accept him as caliph. This group constituted the nucleus of the early [[Shiʿa]] (“partisans”). They believed that ʿAli was Muhammad 's rightful successor and that those who usurped his right were sinners. This belief marked the genesis of the Shiʿi concept of [[imamate]]. Although ʿAli did not assume political authority until after the third caliph, ʿUthman, was murdered in 656, he was regarded by the Shiʿi as the imam, that is, a person qualified to assume temporal and spiritual authority. Following ʿAli 's murder in 660, the imamate continued with [[Hasan]] (d. 669) and Hussain (d. 680), the sons of ʿAli and his wife [[Fatima]], Muhammad 's daughter. | The Ithna ʿAshariyah trace their history to the investiture, in Ghadir Khumm (modern-day Juhfah), of [[ʿAli ibn Abi Talib]], the first imam, with [[Wilayah|wilaya]] (discretionary authority) by [[Muhammad]] after the Prophet 's Farewell Pilgrimage. Following Muhammad 's death in 632, the leadership of the nascent community was assumed by the Prophet 's leading companion, [[Abu Bakr]], but a group of Muslims refused to accept him as caliph. This group constituted the nucleus of the early [[Shiʿa]] (“partisans”). They believed that ʿAli was Muhammad 's rightful successor and that those who usurped his right were sinners. This belief marked the genesis of the Shiʿi concept of [[imamate]]. Although ʿAli did not assume political authority until after the third caliph, ʿUthman, was murdered in 656, he was regarded by the Shiʿi as the imam, that is, a person qualified to assume temporal and spiritual authority. Following ʿAli 's murder in 660, the imamate continued with [[Hasan]] (d. 669) and Hussain (d. 680), the sons of ʿAli and his wife [[Fatima]], Muhammad 's daughter. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
===Tawalla=== | ===Tawalla=== | ||
The obligation of tawalla (befriending) has led to two important religious practices unique to the Shiʿis: first, the [[ziara]] ( | The obligation of tawalla (befriending) has led to two important religious practices unique to the Shiʿis: first, the [[ziara]] (pilgrimages) to the mashhad (mausoleums) of the imams and their descendants; and second, [[majalis]] (devotional gatherings) to mourn the [[martyrdom]] of [[Hussain ibn Ali|Imam Hussain]] on [[Ashura]], the tenth day of [[Muharram]], in [[Karbala]]. Both these practices have provided the Shiʿi minority with a renewed sense of loyalty to the Prophet 's family. The shrine cities of [[Karbala]], [[Najaf]], [[Mashhad]], and [[Qom]] have functioned as the religious centers for the ordinary Shiʿis and learning centers for their mujtahids, who continue to teach in the holy sanctuaries. The Muharram commemoration has fostered among the Shiʿa an identity consonant with their vision of history in which the godly people suffer at the hands of the oppressors until God commands the [[Mahdi]] to restore justice and equity on earth. | ||
===Love of Ahl al-Bayt=== | ===Love of Ahl al-Bayt=== | ||