The Teacher

"A comprehensive study of key doctrines and ideas within Islamic and Shia theology."

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“A comprehensive study of key doctrines and ideas within Islamic and Shia theology.”

 

The literal meaning of the Arabic term Shi’a is ‘follower, supporter, successor’ and/or ‘companions’. It also means a group of people working together for a goal. Hence, a Shi’a is someone who follows something and is part of a specific group following the same thing. This means that the word Shi’a itself only indicates followership and [in itself] has no direction until it has been linked to whoever is being followed.

Even The Holy Qur’an, defines the word Shi’a as ‘follower’ and ‘successor’. God says in the Holy Qur’an:

“And verily was Abraham once of [the Prophet Noohs (‘a)] Shi’a (followers).” (The Holy Qur’an, 37:83).

In this verse, ‘his Shi’a’ refers to Prophet Ibrahim’s (‘a) succession after Prophet Nooh (‘a). This means that they followed one and the same belief, religion [monotheism], and path. Therefore, Prophet Ibrahim (‘a) was a follower of Prophet Nooh (‘a).

Another verse states:

“And [one day] he entered the city [at noon] when people were unaware [of him], and he found two fighting – one his Shi’a (follower) and the other adversary. His follower complained to Moses against his adversary…!” (The Holy Qur’an, 28:15).

The verse speaks of an incident before Prophet Musa’s (‘a) calling, involving an individual from amongst his people as this individual was part of the followership, as in Bani Israil, who at that time was waiting for the coming of a prophet. Therefore, he is referred to as a Shi’a of Prophet Musa (‘a).