Shiite
UK: ˈʃiːaɪt | US: ˈʃiːaɪt
n. A member of the branch of Islam that regards Ali and his descendants as the legitimate successors to Muhammad.
adj. Relating to or characteristic of Shiites or their beliefs.
The term Shiite originates from the early Islamic schism over leadership succession after Muhammad's death. The Shiʿat ʿAlī ("Party of Ali") believed leadership should remain within Muhammad's family through Ali, contrasting with the Sunni majority. The suffix -ite was later appended in European languages to standardize the term for adherents, mirroring other religious or factional labels.
The Shiite community celebrates Ashura as a day of mourning for Hussein, Ali's son.
Shiite theology emphasizes the authority of imams as spiritual and political leaders.
The mosque serves as a central gathering place for local Shiites.
Tensions between Sunni and Shiite groups have shaped Middle Eastern history.
She studies Shiite traditions as part of her research on Islamic sects.