Shi'a Islam

Shi'a Islam is the second largest division of Islam, constituting about 10-15% of all Muslims. (The largest division, Sunni Muslims, make up about 85% of all Muslims).

Shi'a Muslims accept Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad, as the legal successor of Muhammad and disregard three of the other four caliphs who succeeded him.

Shi'a Muslims reside in all parts of the world, but some countries have a higher concentration of Shi'a. Iran is almost entirely Shi'a, and of the 95% Muslim population of Iraq, about 2/3 are Shi'a, despite having been long ruled by the Sunni minority til recently.

Members of the Bahá'í Faith also accept the Twelver[?] Shi'a succession as having been valid, though they believe that the Twelvth Imám has returned as Bahá'u'lláh and, as such, adhere to His laws, Scriptures, and institutions instead of those of Islam.

see Jafari -- Imam -- Fatimids -- Ismailis -- Sunni Islam -- Iraqi opposition