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Terminology

The word Shia derives from the Arabic term Shīʿat ʿAlī (Arabic: شيعة علي), meaning "partisans of Ali", "followers of Ali" or "faction of Ali". Shīʿī (Arabic: شيعيّ; / ˈ ʃ iː i /) denotes both the singular noun and the adjective form, while Shīʿiyyūn refers to the plural noun. Shia or Shīʿa (/ ˈ ʃ iː ə /), Shiism / Shīʿism (/ ˈ ʃ iː ɪ z (ə) m /), and Shiite / Shīʿite (/ ˈ ʃ iː aɪ t /) are the forms used in English and other European languages for adherents, mosques, traditions, and things associated with the Shia branch of Islam.

The term Shia was first used during Muhammad's lifetime. At present, the word refers to the Muslims who believe that the leadership of the Muslim community after Muhammad belongs to ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, and his successors. Nawbakhti states that the term Shia refers to a group of Muslims who at the time of Muhammad and after him regarded ʿAlī as the Imam and caliph. Al-Shahrastani expresses that the term Shia refers to those who believe that ʿAlī is designated as the heir, Imam, and caliph by Muhammad and that ʿAlī's authority is maintained through his descendants. For the adherents of Shia Islam, this conviction is implicit in the Quran and the history of Islam. Shia Muslim scholars emphasize that the notion of authority is linked to the family of the Abrahamic prophets as the Quranic verses 3:33 and 3:34 show: "Indeed, Allah chose Adam, Noah, the family of Abraham, and the family of ’Imrân above all people. They are descendants of one another. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."