ভূমিকা
Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Examining the Ismaili Imams & the Bohras Shia, But Shia of which Imam (leader)? The meaning of Shia: “Shia” means a group of followers, members of a group, as per Holy Quran, Surah Maryam verse 69: ثُمَّ لَنَنْزِعَنَّ مِنْ كُلِّ شِيْعَۃٍ اَيُّہُمْ اَشَدُّ عَلَي الرَّحْمٰنِ عِتِيًّا۶۹ۚ Then from every group We shall draw whichever of them was more defiant to the All-beneficent. [^1] ہٰذَا مِنْ شِيْعَتِہٖ This one from among his followers.
[^2] As per the two ayahs quoted above a Shia could be a follower or a member of a group. The Holy Quran, Surah Isra verse 71 says: يَوْمَ نَدْعُوْا كُلَّ اُنَاسٍؚبِـاِمَامِہِمْ The day we shall summon every group of people with their imam. [^3] As per the ayah, the destiny of the followers depends on their imam and being a Shia does not mean anything, unless we know the Shia of whom. If one is a Shia (follower) of a wrong leader (Imam) then this leader may invite his Shias towards the fire.
Holy Quran, Surah Qasas verse 41, says: وَجَعَلْنٰہُمْ اَىِٕمَّۃً يَّدْعُوْنَ اِلَى النَّارِ۰ۚ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَۃِ لَا يُنْصَرُوْنَ۴۱ We made them leaders who invite to the Fire and on the day of Resurrection they will not receive any help. [^4] The fate of the followers (shias) of imams of this kind is not going to be good. But if one is a Shia (follower) of a rightful leader (Imam) then this leader will lead them towards the truth.
Holy Quran, Surah Sajdah verse 24, says: وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْہُمْ اَىِٕمَّۃً يَّہْدُوْنَ بِاَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوْا۰ۣۭ وَكَانُوْا بِاٰيٰتِنَا يُوْقِنُوْنَ۲۴ And amongst them We appointed imams who guide by Our command when they had been patient and had convictions in Our signs. [^5] Certainly, the true followers (Shias) of these Imams will be very successful on the day of resurrection. Thus, being a Shia does not mean anything, unless we know the Shia (follower) of whom.
Sects within Shi’as The Shia and Sunni schools of thought form the major sects within the Islamic nation. Similar to the Sunni sect, the Shia sect also has sub-sects within itself. In this book, we will be talking just about the sects within the Shia sect. The Ithna Ashari Shias (The Twelvers) The Twelvers are the largest part of the Shia community. They get their name from their acceptance of twelve divinely appointed successors of the Holy Prophet (sawa).
They believe that Imam Ali (as) was the first divinely appointed Holy Imam, who succeeded the Holy Prophet (sawa).
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