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BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Origins of Shi’ism   The scholars and researchers have differed regarding the origins of Shia beliefs. Some have stated that it has Jewish origins, others have stated that it has Persian origins, a third group says that it was the home of old Asian beliefs such as Buddhism.[1] There are other views as well.   The View that it has Jewish Roots […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Views of Non-Shia Regarding the Inception of Shi’ism   The First View Shi’ism started after the demise of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, as a result of some believing that ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu was most deserving of being the khalifah. This view was stated by group of classical as well as contemporary scholars including ‘Allamah Ibn Khaldun, Ahmed Amin and […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Inception of the Shia and its Historical Roots   The Shia, with their current principles and beliefs, did not come about all of a sudden. Rather, Shi’ism went through many different stages and it was developed over a very long period of time. It also split up into many different sects. Therefore, it goes without saying that studying the historical and ideological […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Most Appropriate Definition   I believe that Shi’ism cannot be defined without paying due attention to the stages of their metamorphosis, especially their ever-changing stances on the subject of beliefs. Shia beliefs are constantly changed and modified. This is why the Shia of the first century have almost nothing in common with those who succeeded them. In the first century, Shia were […]

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents   The Definition of the Word Shia from Other Sources   The Definition of Abu al Hassan al Ash’ari   Perhaps the first person to define Shi’ism from the authors of books on sects (besides the Shia authors) was Imam al Ash’ari[1]. He states:   انما قيل لهم الشيعة لانهم شايعوا عليا رضوان الله عليه و يقدمونه على سائر اصحاب رسول الله صلى الله […]