Quran
This term refers to the compiled verses of the Quran as collected during the time of the third caliph, but Shia tradition holds that the complete version was compiled earlier under the Prophet's supervision.
What is the ‘Uthmanic codex’?
He is the first Imam in Shia Islam, appointed by the Prophet at Ghadir Khumm.
Who is Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib?
In Shia Islam, hadiths transmitted through the Imams are primarily found in these four major books.
What are the al-Kutub al-Arba’ah (The Four Books)?
This event in 680 CE marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions
What is the Battle of Karbala?
This practice involves saying “Ali is the wali of Allah” in the call to prayer, as followed by many Shia.
What is the Third Shahadah in the Adhan?
Shia scholars emphasize that the true interpretation of the Quran requires guidance from these divinely appointed figures.
Who are the Imams?
This Imam is known for his comprehensive collection of Hadith and is buried in Najaf.
Who is Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq?
This is the most revered Shia hadith collection, compiled by Shaykh al-Kulayni.
What is al-Kafi?
The Treaty of this companion of the Prophet with Mu’awiya is viewed critically in Shia history for forcing Imam Hassan to relinquish the caliphate.
Who is Imam Hassan? (Treaty of Imam Hassan and Mu’awiya)
In Shia jurisprudence, wiping the feet instead of washing them during wudu is based on this Quranic verse.
What is Surah al-Ma’idah, verse 6?
This Quranic verse (33:33) is often cited in Shia Islam to affirm the spiritual purity of the Ahl al-Bayt.
What is the Verse of Purification (Ayat al-Tathir)?
The Twelfth Imam is known by this title, meaning "the guided one."
Who is Imam al-Mahdi?
Shia hadith sciences place special emphasis on the reliability of narrators who show loyalty to this person after the Prophet.
Who is Imam Ali?
This caliph is widely criticized in Shia sources for attacking the house of Fatimah to force allegiance.
Who is Abu Bakr? (Referring to the event of the door)
The temporary marriage practice in Shia Islam is known by this Arabic term.
What is Mut’ah (or Sigheh)?
Shia exegesis holds that this Quranic concept—meaning "firmly rooted in knowledge"—refers specifically to the Imams.
What is al-Rasikhun fi’l-‘Ilm? (Those firmly grounded in knowledge)
This son of Imam Hussain survived the Battle of Karbala and continued the line of Imams.
Who is Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin?
The Hadith of Thaqalayn, often cited in Shia tradition, mentions the Quran and this other "weighty" thing.
What is the Ahl al-Bayt?
The occultation of the Twelfth Imam began in 260 AH after the death of his father, Imam Hassan al-Askari, and is divided into these two periods.
What are the Minor Occultation (al-Ghayba al-Sughra) and the Major Occultation (al-Ghayba al-Kubra)?
This annual commemoration on the 10th of Muharram involves mourning processions and gatherings for Imam Hussain.
What is Ashura?
According to prominent Shia traditions, the complete Quran contains this number of verses, slightly more than the standard Sunni mushaf.
What is 17,000 verses? (Note: standard is about 6,236; this refers to a belief about the original full text)
The concept that Imams are free from major sin and error is known by this theological term.
What is ‘Ismah (infallibility)?
This term refers to hadiths narrated exclusively through Shia chains of transmission from the Imams.
What is a ‘Shia-only’ (or ‘Isolated’) hadith?
This Shia dynasty established the first major Shia political empire and promoted the teaching of Imami theology.
What is the Buyid (Buwayhid) dynasty?
This principle in Shia law allows a qualified jurist to make independent legal decisions based on sacred sources.
What is Ijtihad?