What is a Shia Muslim?

What is a Shia Muslim?

Like any other Muslim, a Shia Muslim shares the fundamental theological beliefs of Islam, such as the Oneness of God, Prophethood, the finality of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), the Holy Quran and its miraculous nature, the resurrection on the Day of Judgement, and Paradise and Hellfire.

However, the point that distinguishes a Shia Muslim from other Muslims is the issue of leadership after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp). In addition to the textual evidence in the Quran and authenticated hadiths, the Shia School of Thought rationally establishes that the Prophet appointed a successor to be the religious, legislative, and political leader of the Islamic nation after his demise, rather than leaving it up to the Muslims after him to decide and select a leader.

From the historical evidence in the Islamic collection of sources, the appointed successor, by the command of God, was Imam Ali (p) and later the 11 Imams in succession.

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