Shi’ism

The Christian Reformation sectarianism (Catholic and Protestant) In Islam sects were established before its reformative movement In both cases sects have been a part of conflict based more on political as opposed to religious interests

Sectarian Wars of Religion, Christianity 1522 - 1700

Peace of Westphalia

Shīʻatu ʻAlī, followers of Ali 10-13% of Muslims 11-14% in the Middle East-North Africa region Around 70% of Shias live in Iran, Pakistan, India and Iraq. Major Sects: Imami (Twelvers) Ismailis (Seveners) Zaydis (Fivers) Twelvers, Ismailis and Zaidis Disagreements among Shiites arose mostly concerning the line of succession of the imamate and the nature of the Hidden Imam

Sunni Belief Muhammad died without appointing a successor Companions gathered and elected Abu Bakr as the first Caliph Father of Muhammad's wife Aisha Caliph should be democratically chosen After the Rashidun (first four Caliphs) hereditary dynastic is rule practiced

Shi’ite Belief on Succession God chose Ali to be Muhammad's successor Ali was Muhammad's cousin and closest living male relative, married to Muhammad's daughter Fatimah The Farewell Pilgrimage Hadith of the pond of Khum Shia believe Mohammed appointed Ali caliph Ali did not profess to be the Caliph at that time, he is later elected as the 4th Caliph

Caliphate

Early Islamic Civil Wars Abu Bakr elected Caliph 632 “Wars of Apostasy” Caliph Umar 634. Assassinated 644 Caliph Uthman ibn Affan killed 656 Ali ibn Talib becomes Caliph. Assassinated 661 “Fitna of the Killing of Uthman" established the Umayyad dynasty. 656 -661

Shi’ite Sects Twelevers: Iran, Lebanon, Iraq Ismailis, second largest Shiite sect, broke off in the 8th century Afghanistan, India, Pakistan. Communities in East and South Africa. Zaydis (Fivers) mostly found in Yemen. Reject the concepts of the imams’ infallibility and of a “hidden imam.”

Alawites, mostly in Syria and Lebanon. Alawites interpret the pillars (duties) of Islam as symbolic rather than applied Alevis, Turkey The Druze community was an eleventh-century offshoot of Ismaili Shiite Islam and is concentrated in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Palestine

Hidden Imam Muhammad ibn Hasan al Mahdi believed by Twelvers Shia Muslims to be the Mahdi savior of humankind who will emerge with Isa (Jesus) bringing peace and justice to the world. Al Mahdi born 869 Minor Occultation, Imam hidden on earth for 70 years Sunni and other minority Shias believe that the Mahdi has not yet been born disappeared from earth in about 939 CE. "greater occultation" spiritually present

Political Shi’ism Continual reinterpretation of doctrine (ijtihad) Clergy active in political life Less dominatied by political actors than Sunni Ulema Khomeini's velayat-e faqih, political guardianship of the community of believers by scholars “The clergy, by virtue of their superior knowledge of the laws of God, are the best qualified to rule the society of believers who are preparing themselves on earth to live eternally in heaven” velayat-e faqih provides the doctrinal basis for theocratic government,

Black and Red Shi’ism Ali Shariati Red Shi'ism is concerned with social justice and salvation for the masses and absent of idolatrous rituals and established clergy. Black Shi'ism dominated by the monarchy and clergy

Sectarianizing the Islamic World 1979 Islamic Revolution shifts the paradigm away from the Arab Cold War, to the Middle East Cold War Religious identity defines divisions Alliances based on common enemies and common interests Religion as a political tool

Cold War Blocs Revolutionary Bloc Lead by Iran (Russian Support) Status Quo Bloc Led by Saudi Arabia (US Support)

Proxy Conflict Zones