A Brief Introduction to Ithna 'Ashari (Twelver) Shi'ismThe name
"Shi'ism" is derived from the Arabic phrase "shi'at 'Ali," which
literally means the partisans or party of 'Ali (d. 661). The
cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, 'Ali was believed by most
Muslim historians (but not all) to be the first male to embrace
the Prophet's message of Islam. His partisans were those who
believed that 'Ali was the rightful successor of the Prophet and
that 'Ali had been chosen by the Prophet to succeed him in his
role as the political and spiritual leader of the Muslims. This
was in contrast to the belief of the Sunnis, who did not believe
the Prophet had selected 'Ali to serve in that role. The vast
majority of Shi'ites are the twelve imam or twelver shi'ites
(ithna 'ashari) and live today primarily in Iran, Iraq, and an
article by Bulend Shanay of Lancaster University briefly surveys
some of the beliefs and history of the Ithna 'Ashari (twelve
imam) Shi'ites. of Differences between Shi'is and Sunnis from
the viewpoint