| Shī‘a terms |
|
|
| Arabic |
| شیعة |
| Transliteration |
| Shi'a |
| Translation |
| follower/partisan |
Shi'a ("followers" or "partisans") as an Islamic term traces its etymology to the very first century of Islam.
Contents |
The singular/adjective form of Shi‘ah (Arabic: شيعة) is Shi‘i (Arabic: شيعي). The apostrophe frequently used (e.g. Shi'a) is technically incorrect, since the Arabic letter is the ayin (ع), standardly represented with a grave accent (`), left half-circle (ʿ), or turned comma (‘). The apostrophe represents the hamza, which has a noted difference in pronunciation. The final Arabic letter is the ta' marbuta, which also causes difficulty in transliteration. It is often pronounced as a soft /h/ (e.g. Shi‘ah), but in a construct state, and in more classical Arabic, it is pronounced as a /t/ (e.g. Shi‘at ‘Ali). The ta' marbuta is frequently dropped in transliteration (e.g. Shia).
Due to the complexities of Arabic, there are approximately 30 possible transliterations of شيعة. For technical accuracy Shi‘ah is the preferred form. Using the Arabic chat alphabet, the transliteration is Shi3a.
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From Imam Jafar, The Sixth Ahlul Bayt Imam and fifth grandson of Muhammad:
| “ | We do not count among the believers anyone unless he obeys all our commandments. Indeed, righteousness is the only sign of one who follows us. Adorn yourselves with it, and may Allah have mercy on you.[2] | ” |
Also:
| “ | Truly, a partisan (Shia) of Jafar is one who does not listen to his stomach, or to his carnal desires, who endeavours in the path of Islam, who acts for the sake of Allah, hoping only for his reward and fearing his Chastisement, Yes indeed, such are the partisans (Shia) of Jafar.[3] | ” |
Also:
| “ | Our Shi'a are compassionate among each other. When they are alone or when they hold a private meeting, they remember Allah. Verily, the remembrance of us is of the remembrance of Allah. When we are remembered Allah has been remembered and when our enemy is remembered, Satan has been remembered.[4] | ” |
| “ | Certainly, for every Imam there is a covenant incumbent on those who accepted their leadership and their (Real) Shi'a. Without a doubt, that which completes and perfects the fulfillment of the covenant is visitation of their graves. Those who visit them longingly as a (practical) acknowledgment of what they long for (in their hearts), their Imams shall certainly be their intercessors on the day of Rising.[5] | ” |