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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Question & Answer Question 1: Which Is the Correct Phrase According To the Hadith, "wa Etrati" Or "wa Sunnati"? The narrations of the very well known "Thaqalain" have been recorded in the books of tradition in two ways that we shall now illuminate so as to find out which the correct one is. Question 2.What is meant by the term'Shia'? ANSWER: 'Shia', in the Arabic language means 'follower'.

The Holy Quran says: "And most surely Ibrahim was one of His Shia" (followed His way), Meaning that Ibrahim (as) was one of the followers of prophet Noah. However, in the Muslim terminology 'Shia' is used for a group who believe that the prophet (saw) before his death, appointed the successor and a caliph for the Muslims. He did so in many occasions among which one of them happened to be on the eighteenth of Zilhajj which is known as the day of 'Ghadeer'.

This was a gathering consisting of thousands of people where the prophet himself specified Imam Ali appointing him as the political, religious and judicial authority. Explanation: After the demise of the honorable prophet, the Muhajir and Ansar divided into two groups: A group believing that God's messenger attended to the matter of appointing a caliph making Ali to be his successor, who was the first believer after him.

This group constituted from a group of Muhajir and Ansar headed by the all the dignitaries of Bani-Hashim including a group of close companions such as Salman, Abu dhar, Miqdad, Khabab bin Arr among others. This group remained steadfast on the prophet's belief and were named as "Shia of Ali (as)." Of course, this title was given by the Holy prophet himself during his lifetime to the followers of the leader of the faithful.

This was when he pointed to Ali Ibn Abi Talib and said: "I swear by the one who possesses my soul that surely, he and his followers are the winners on the day of Judgment." Therefore, the Shia are a group of Muslims during the early period of Islam, who because of their belief in the appointment (by a specific text) of the position of guardianship and leadership, were known by this name, and this very group is still on the line of executorships and following the prophet's household.

Thus, the position of Shia is determined in this way.