Twelvers

Twelvers
Name	Twelvers
Founder	Muhammad
Theology	Ja'fari jurisprudence
Region	Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India
Language	Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Azerbaijani
Scripture	Quran

Twelvers. They constitute the largest branch of Shia Islam, distinguished by their belief in a line of twelve divinely appointed leaders, known as the Imams, beginning with Ali ibn Abi Talib and culminating in the Muhammad al-Mahdi, whom they believe to be in a state of occultation. Their theological and legal tradition is primarily based on the teachings of the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, forming the school of Ja'fari jurisprudence. The faith holds a central position in the national identity of countries like Iran and has significant populations across the Middle East and South Asia.

Beliefs and theology

The core theological tenets, known as Usul al-Din, include the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid), divine justice (Adalah), prophethood (Nubuwwah), the imamate (Imamah), and the final day of judgment (Qiyamah). The doctrine of Imamah is paramount, asserting that the Twelve Imams are the rightful spiritual and political successors to Muhammad, possessing divine knowledge and authority. They believe the twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, entered a state of Major Occultation in 941 CE, during which he guides the community invisibly until his promised return. Other key beliefs include the infallibility (Ismah) of the prophets and imams, and the concept of Bada', pertaining to God's absolute will. Theological development was significantly influenced by scholars such as Shaykh al-Mufid and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.

History

The origins trace back to the crisis of succession following the death of Muhammad in 632 CE, with the partisans of Ali ibn Abi Talib forming the early Shia community. The martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE became a defining event, cementing themes of sacrifice and resistance. The subsequent imams, including Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-Abidin and Muhammad al-Baqir, lived under the Umayyad Caliphate, developing the community's doctrinal foundations. The period of the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq, in the era of the Abbasid Revolution, was particularly formative for jurisprudence and theology. Following the death of the eleventh Imam, Hasan al-Askari, the belief in the occultation of his son, Muhammad al-Mahdi, emerged. The Buyid dynasty provided a period of Shia resurgence, while the establishment of the Safavid dynasty in Iran in 1501 marked a turning point, making Twelver Shiism the state religion and profoundly shaping the nation's identity.

Demographics and distribution

Twelvers form a majority in Iran, where they are the state religion, and in Iraq, home to the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala. They constitute a significant plurality in Lebanon, largely represented by groups like Hezbollah, and are the majority population in Bahrain. Large communities exist in Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, and among the Alevi in Turkey, though the latter's relationship to mainstream Twelver thought is complex. Substantial diaspora populations are found in Western Europe, North America, and East Africa. Important global centers of learning include the Hawza of Najaf in Iraq and the Islamic Seminary of Qom in Iran.

Practices and jurisprudence

Religious practice is guided by Ja'fari jurisprudence, with sources being the Quran, the Sunnah of Muhammad and the Imams, consensus (Ijma'), and intellect (Aql). Key rituals include the five daily Salah, the month of fasting (Ramadan), the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj), and the payment of Khums and Zakat. Distinctive commemorations are the mourning ceremonies in the month of Muharram, particularly on Ashura, remembering the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali. Major scholars, known as Marja', such as Ali al-Sistani and Ruhollah Khomeini, provide guidance through religious rulings (Fatwa). Other significant practices include temporary marriage (Nikah mut'ah) and the recommended visitation (Ziyarat) to the shrines of the Imams.

Imamate and leadership

The lineage of the Twelve Imams begins with Ali ibn Abi Talib, followed by his sons Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali. The line continues through Ali Zayn al-Abidin, Muhammad al-Baqir, Ja'far al-Sadiq, Musa al-Kadhim, Ali al-Rida, Muhammad al-Jawad, Ali al-Hadi, and Hasan al-Askari, culminating in Muhammad al-Mahdi. During his occultation, religious and judicial authority is delegated to qualified jurists, a concept articulated as Wilayat al-Faqih by Ruhollah Khomeini, which forms the basis of governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Other prominent leadership models are represented by the scholarly authority of figures like Ali al-Sistani in Najaf.

Relations with other schools

Historically, relations with the majority Sunni Islam, particularly under the Umayyad Caliphate and Abbasid Caliphate, were often marked by political conflict and theological polemic. Doctrinal differences center on the succession to Muhammad and the nature of the imamate. In the modern era, there have been efforts at intra-Muslim dialogue, such as the Amman Message. Relations with other Shia branches, like the Ismailis and Zaydis, diverged primarily over the line of succession after Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq. Theological exchanges and debates have also occurred with other Abrahamic faiths and with classical Greek philosophy, as seen in the works of Avicenna and Nasir al-Din al-Tusi.

Category:Shia Islam Category:Religious denominations