The Word Shi’a And Its Meaning
The term Shi’a literally means follower. It is a term that Allah used in the Qur’an to refer to the followers of his Prophets. An example was Prophet Abraham (‘a) who was mentioned in the Qur’an specifically as the shi’a of Noah (‘a):
وَإِنَّ مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ لَإِبْرَاهِيمَ
“And most surely Abraham was among the Shi’a of him (Noah)” (Qur’an, 37:83).
Imam ‘Ali (‘a) said “Allah has favored the word Shi’a by using it in the Holy Qur’an. Then verily He says ‘And verily Ibrahim was one of the shi’a of Noah.’ And you are amongst the shi’a of Muhammad (S). This name is neither restricted to a particular group nor is it a newly adopted religion.” 1
In another verse, the Qur’an talks about the Shi’a of Moses:
وَدَخَلَ الْمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفْلَةٍ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيْنِ يَقْتَتِلَانِ هَٰذَا مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ وَهَٰذَا مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ فَاسْتَغَاثَهُ الَّذِي مِنْ شِيعَتِهِ عَلَى الَّذِي مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ فَوَكَزَهُ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ عَدُوٌّ …
“And he (Moses) went into the city at a time when people (of the city) were not watching, so he found therein two men fighting, one being of his shi’a and the other being his enemy, and the one who was of his shi’a cried out to him for help against the one who was of his enemy…” (Qur’an, 28:15).
Thus, Shi’a is an official word used by Allah in His Qur’an for His high ranking prophets as well as their followers. This is also a term that our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) used for those who had love for ‘Ali (‘a) and followed him as the successor after the Prophet (S).
The Messenger of Allah said to ‘Ali: “Glad tidings O ‘Ali! Verily you, your companions and your Shi’a (followers) will be in Paradise.”
Sunni references:
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Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v. 2, p. 655
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Hilyatul Awliyaa, by Abu Nu'aym, v. 4, p. 329
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Tarikh, by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadi, v. 12, p. 289
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al-Awsat, by al-Tabarani
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Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haytami, v. 10, pp. 21-22
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al-Darqunti, who said this tradition has been transmitted via numerous authorities.
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al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haytami, Ch. 11, section 1, p. 247
Therefore, we see the Messenger of Allah (S) used to say the phrase “Shi’a of ‘Ali.”
The Messenger of Allah (S) said: “The Shi’a of ‘Ali are the real victorious on the day of resurrection”
Sunni references:
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al-Manaqib Ahmad, as mentioned in:
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Yanabi al-Mawaddah, by al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, p. 62
The Messenger of Allah said: “O ‘Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your Shi’a will come toward Allah well pleased and well-pleasing, and there will come to Him your enemies angry and stiff-necked (i.e., their head forced up).
Sunni references:
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al-Tabarani, on the authority of Imam ‘Ali
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al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, Ch. 11, section 1, p. 236
A more complete version of the tradition, which has also been reported by Sunni narrators, is as follows:
Ibn Abbas narrated: When the verse “Those who believe and do righteous deeds are the best of the creation” (Qur’an, 98:7), was revealed, the Messenger of Allah (S) said to ‘Ali: “They are you and your Shi’a.” He continued: “O ‘Ali! (On the day of Judgment) you and your Shi’a will come toward Allah well pleased and well pleasing, and your enemies will come angry with their heads forced up.” ‘Ali (‘a) said: “Who are my enemies?” The Prophet (S) replied: “He who disassociates himself from you and curses you. And glad tiding to those who reach first under the shadow of al-'Arsh on the day of resurrection.” ‘Ali asked: “Who are they, O the Messenger of Allah?” He replied: “Your Shi’a, O ‘Ali, and those who love you.”
Sunni references:
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al-Hafidh Jamaluddin al-Dharandi, on the authority of Ibn Abbas
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al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, Ch. 11, section 1, pp. 246-247
- 1. “Shi’a Origin and Faith” by Ayatollah Kashif al-Ghita.