Shia
/ˈʃɪə
/(also Shi'a, Shiah)
noun (plural same or Shias) [mass noun]
1One of the two main branches of Islam, followed by about a tenth of Muslims, especially in Iran, that rejects the first three Sunni caliphs and regards Ali, the fourth caliph, as Muhammad’s first true successor: [as modifier]: the Shia clerics a Shia neighbourhood...Compare with Sunni.
- They are divided into two main groups, Shia and Sunni, with different interpretations of the religion.
- His father, Ali, met a similar fate 19 years earlier, and it was this latter deed that gave rise to the great fissure in Islam between Sunni and Shia.
- It will be drawn from Sunni and Shia, from secular and religious backgrounds, from trade unionists and women's organisations.
1.1 [count noun] A Muslim who adheres to the Shia branch of Islam.For Islam, Sunnis and Shi'as will also be considered as separate groups....
- Relations between Shias and Sunnis have been strained for much of Muslim history.
- He stressed that today there was an immediate need for unity between Shias and Sunnis.
Origin
Early 17th century: from Arabic šī‘a 'party (of Ali)'.