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Twelvers, Twelver Shī'ite or Imamiyyah (Imami Shi'a Islam) (Arabic: اثنا عشرية‎, Athnā‘ashariyyah or Ithnā‘ashariyyah; Persian: شیعه دوازده‌امامی‎, pronounced [ʃiːʔe-je dævɑzdæh emɑmiː]) is the largest branch of Shī'ī (Shi'a) Islam. Adherents of Twelver Shī'ism are commonly referred to as Twelvers, which is derived from their belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imāms, and their belief that the Mahdi will be the returned Twelfth Imam who disappeared and is believed by Twelvers to be in occultation.

Twelvers share many tenets of Shī'ism with related sects, such as the belief in Imāms, but the Ismā'īlī and Zaydī Shī'ī sects each believe in a different number of Imāms and, for the most part, a different path of succession regarding the Imāmate. They also differ in the role and overall definition of an Imām.

People of the Twelver faith form a majority in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and Bahrain, and form a plurality in Lebanon and form a significant minority in Kuwait. Alevis in Turkey and Albania, and Alawis in Syria, also believe in the twelve Imams of the Twelver faith. People of the Twelver faith also live in India,[1][2][3][4][5] Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia.[6] Smaller minorities of Twelver also exist in Oman, Yemen and Egypt and in many other countries, including Uzbekistan, Europe and the Americas.

Alternative names[edit]

See also: Shia etymology
Shī‘a terms


  • The Shī'ah (or Shi'a) is commonly used as a synonym for "Twelvers" since this branch comprises the majority group of Shī'ī Islam.
  • Ja'farī refers to Twelvers to the exclusion of the Ismā'īlī and Zaydī ("Fivers"). This term refers to the majority Twelver school of jurisprudence (a minority school, the Akhbarī, also exists). It is attributed to Ja'far al-Sadiq, who the Twelvers consider to be their Sixth Imām. The founders of the Sunni Hanafi and Maliki schools of jurisprudence narrated hadith from Ja'far al-Sadiq.
  • Imāmī is a reference to the Twelver belief in the infallibility of the Imāms. Though the Ismā'īlī also accept the concept of Imāms, this term is used specifically for the Twelvers.


Twelvers believe that the descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and his son-in-law 'Alī are the best source of knowledge about the Qur'an and Islam, the most trusted carriers and protectors of Muḥammad's Sunnah (traditions) and the most worthy of emulation.


Although 'Alī is widely accepted by Muslims in general to be the fourth successor to the Caliphate after Uthman, for the Shī'ah, however, he is the first divinely sanctioned "Imām", or divinely appointed spiritual leader after the Prophet Muḥammad. The seminal event in Shī'ah history is the martyrdom in 680 CE of 'Alī's son Husayn, who led an uprising against the, illegitimate to them, caliph. For the Shī'ah, Husayn came to symbolize resistance to tyranny.



Sharī'ah: Religious law[edit]

Main article: Sharia



Main doctrines[edit]

Twelvers believe in the Five Pillars of Islam, as do Sunnis, but categorize them differently. Twelver beliefs include the following:

Principles of Faith (Usūl al-Dīn)

  • Tawhid (Oneness): The Oneness of God.
  • ʻAdālah (Justice): The Justice of God.
  • Qiyāmah (The Day of Judgment): God will raise mankind for Judgment - the Day of Resurrection.

Ancillaries of the Faith (Furū' al-Dīn)

  • Hajj (Pilgrimage) – performing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
  • Commanding what is just.
  • Forbidding what is evil.
  • Tabarra – dissociating oneself from the enemies of the Ahlu l-Bayt.[8]

The concept of Imams[edit]

Confrance poster relating to Mahdaviat

The Twelve Imams are the spiritual and political successors to Muhammad, in the Twelver or Ithna Ashariya branch of Shia Islam.[9] According to the theology of Twelvers, the successor of Muhammad is an infallible human individual who not only rules over the community with justice, but also is able to keep and interpret the Sharia and its esoteric meaning. The prophet and imams' words and deeds are a guide and model for the community to follow; as a result, they must be free from error and sin, and must be chosen by divine decree, or nass, through Muhammad.[10][11]


According to Twelvers, there is always an Imam of the Age, who is the divinely appointed authority on all matters of faith and law in the Muslim community. Ali was the first Imam of this line, and in the Twelvers' view, the rightful successor to the Prophet of Islam, followed by male descendants of Muhammad(also known as Hasnain's) through his daughter Fatimah. Each Imam was the son of the previous Imam, with the exception of Husayn ibn Ali, who was the brother of Hasan ibn Ali.[9] The twelfth and final Imam is Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed by the Twelvers to be currently alive, and in hiding.[14]

List of Imams[edit]

Number Modern (Calligraphic) Depiction Name
Date of
Importance Place of birth Reason & place of death
and place of burial[17]
1 Alī.png Ali ibn Abu Talib
علي بن أبي طالب
Abu al-Hasan
أبو الحسن
Amir al-Mu'minin
(Commander of the Faithful)[18]


(The Beloved)

Birinci Ali[19]
23(before Hijra)–40[20]
The First[21] Imam[22] and the rightful Successor of Muhammad of all Shia; however, the Sunnis acknowledge him as the fourth Caliph as well. He holds a high position in almost all Sufi Muslim orders (Turuq); the members of these orders trace their lineage to Muhammad through him.[18] Mecca,
Saudi Arabia[18]
Assassinated by Abd-al-Rahman ibn Muljam, a Kharijite in Kufa, who slashed him with a poisoned sword while he was praying.[18][23]
Buried at the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Iraq.
2 Hassan ibn Ali.jpg Hasan ibn Ali
حسن بن علي
Abu Muhammad
أبو محمد

(The Chosen)

İkinci Ali[19]
Saudi Arabia[24]
Buried in Jannat al-Baqi, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
3 Hhussain ibn ali.jpg Husayn ibn Ali
حسین بن علي
Abu Abdillah
أبو عبدالله
Sayyid ash-Shuhada

(Master of the Martyrs)

Üçüncü Ali[19]
Saudi Arabia[28]
Killed and beheaded at the Battle of Karbala.[28]
Buried at the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq.
4 Imam sajjad.jpg Ali ibn Husayn
علي بن الحسین
Abu Muhammad
أبو محمد
al-Sajjad, Zayn al-'Abidin

(One who constantly Prostrates, Ornament of the Worshippers) [31]

Dördüncü Ali[19]
658/9[31] – 712[32]
Author of prayers in Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, which is known as "The Psalm of the Household of the Prophet."[32] Medina,
Saudi Arabia[31]
Buried in Jannat al-Baqi, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
5 Baqir ibn sajjad.jpg Muhammad ibn Ali
محمد بن علي
Abu Ja'far
أبو جعفر
Baqir al-Ulum

(The Revealer of Knowledge) [33]

Beşinci Ali[19]
Sunni and Shia sources both describe him as one of the early and most eminent legal scholars, teaching many students during his tenure.[33][34] Medina,
Saudi Arabia[33]
Buried in Jannat al-Baqi, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
6 Jaffer-e-Sadiq.jpg Ja'far ibn Muhammad
جعفر بن محمد
Abu Abdillah[35]
أبو عبدالله

(The Honest)

Altıncı Ali[19]
Established the Ja'fari jurisprudence and developed the theology of Twelvers. He instructed many scholars in different fields, including Abu Hanifah and Malik ibn Anas in fiqh, Wasil ibn Ata and Hisham ibn Hakam in Islamic theology, and Geber in science and alchemy.[36][37] Medina,
Saudi Arabia[36]
Buried in Jannat al-Baqi, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
7 Al-Kazim.jpg Musa ibn Ja'far
موسی بن جعفر
Abu al-Hasan I
أبو الحسن الاول[38]

(The Calm One)

Yedinci Ali[19]
Leader of the Shia community during the schism of Ismaili and other branches after the death of the former Imam, Jafar al-Sadiq.[40] He established the network of agents who collected khums in the Shia community of the Middle East and the Greater Khorasan. He holds a high position in Mahdavia; the members of these orders trace their lineage to Muhammad through him.[41] Medina,
Saudi Arabia[39]
Buried in the Kazimayn shrine in Baghdad, Iraq.[39]

Al redah.jpg

Ali ibn Musa
علي بن موسی
Abu al-Hasan II
أبو الحسن الثانی[38]
ar-Rida, Reza[42]

(The Pleasing One)

Sekizinci Ali[19]
Made crown-prince by Caliph Al-Ma'mun, and famous for his discussions with both Muslim and non-Muslim religious scholars.[42] Medina,
Saudi Arabia[42]
Buried in the Imam Reza shrine in Mashad, Iran.[42]
9 Imam Taqi.jpg Muhammad ibn Ali
محمد بن علي
Abu Ja'far
أبو جعفر
al-Taqi, al-Jawad[43]

(The God-Fearing, The Generous)

Dokuzuncu Ali[19]
Saudi Arabia[43]
Buried in the Kazmain shrine in Baghdad, Iraq.[43]
10 Imam naqi.jpg Ali ibn Muhammad
علي بن محمد
Abu al-Hasan III
أبو الحسن الثالث[44]
al-Hadi, al-Naqi[44]

(The Guide, The Pure One)

Onuncu Ali[19]
Strengthened the network of deputies in the Shia community. He sent them instructions, and received in turn financial contributions of the faithful from the khums and religious vows.[44] Surayya, a village near Medina,
Saudi Arabia[44]
Buried in the Al Askari Mosque in Samarra, Iraq.
11 Alaskeri.jpg Hasan ibn Ali
الحسن بن علي
Abu Muhammad
أبو محمد

(The Citizen of a Garrison Town)

Onbirinci Ali[19]
Saudi Arabia[46]
Buried in Al Askari Mosque in Samarra, Iraq.[48]
12 Al mehdi.jpg Muhammad ibn al-Hasan
محمد بن الحسن
Abu al-Qasim
أبو القاسم
Hidden Imam,[50]

(The Guided One, The Proof)

Onikinci Ali[19]
According to Twelver Shiite doctrine, he is an actual historical personality and is the current Imam and the promised Mahdi, a messianic figure who will return with Christ. He will reestablish the rightful governance of Islam and replete the earth with justice and peace.[53] Samarra, Iraq[52] According to Shia doctrine, he has been living in the Occultation since 872, and will continue as long as God wills it.[52]

The Shi'a Imams are seen as infallible. It is an important aspect of Shia theology that they are not prophets (nabi) nor messengers (rasul), but instead carry out Muhammad's message. While Sunni Muslims view all religions and groups that accept prophets or messengers after Muhammad to be heathen or heretical, Shi'a Muslims do consider the Imams to be higher in rank than all the prophets and messengers except Muhammad.[54][55][56]

The role of Imam al-Mahdi[edit]

Main article: Muhammad al-Mahdi
See also: Mahdi

In Twelver eschatology, Muhammad ibn Hasan ibn ʻAlī, or al-Mahdi (مهدي transliteration: Mahdī, also Mehdi, "Guided One"), is the twelfth Imam and the Mahdi, the ultimate savior of mankind and prophesied redeemer of Islam. Twelvers believe that the Mahdi has been hidden by God (referred to as The Occultation) and will later emerge to change the world into a perfect and just Islamic society alongside Jesus (Isa) before the Yaum al-Qiyamah (literally "Day of the Resurrection" or "Day of the Standing").

Other Shi'a schools, such as Zaidi, Ismaili and Bohra, adhere to different Imam successions and do not consider Muhammad ibn Hasan the Mahdi as Imam.

Comparative jurisprudence: Twelver–Sunni[edit]

(This list is not exhaustive nor representative of the Sunni/Shia dispute on religious jurisprudence)

Shahada: Declaration of faith[edit]

Main articles: Shahada and Declaration of faith
  • أشهد أن] لا إله إلاَّ الله و [أشهد أن ] محمداً رسول الله ]
  • [ʾašhadu ʾan] lā ilāha illā l-Lāh wa [ʾašhadu ʾanna] Muḥammadan rasūlu l-Lāh
  • [I testify that] there is no god (ilah) but Allah and [I testify that] Muhammad is messenger of Allah.

In usage the occurrences of ʾašhadu ʾan "I testify that" are very often omitted.

Another rendering current among some English-speaking Muslims, but without a historical tradition, is "(I bear witness that) there is none worthy of worship except God, and (I testify that) Muhammad is the messenger of God."[57] This version relies on a translation of (ilah) as being "worthy of worship", something which is correctly said in Arabic but does not translate well into English syntax.




Taqlid: Accepting a scholar's verdict[edit]


Main articles: Ghusl and Wudu

There are minor differences between Sunnis and Twelver Shīʻa in how the prayer ritual is performed. During the purification ritual in preparation for prayer (which consists of washing the face, arms, feet, etc. and saying of some prayers), the Shīʻa view wiping the feet with wet hands as sufficient, as opposed to some of the Sunnis who consider complete washing of the feet necessary. Also, Shīʻa do not use their fingers to clean inside the ears during the ablution ritual. A prerequisite for purification is that one has to be clean before performing the purification ritual.

Name Prescribed time period (waqt) Voluntary before fardA Fard/Obligatory Voluntary after fardA
Sunni Shi'a Sunni Shi'a
Fajr (فجر) Dawn to sunrise 2 Raka'ahB 2 Raka'ahB 2 Raka'ah - -
Dhuhr (ظهر) After true noon until Asr 4 Raka'ahB 8 Raka'ah 4 Raka'ahD 2 Raka'ahB -
Asr (عصر) See footnoteEF 4 Raka'ah 8 Raka'ah 4 Raka'ah - -
Maghrib (مغرب) After sunset until dusk 3 Raka'ahB 3 Raka'ahB 2 Raka'ahC 4 (2x2) Raka'ah
Isha'a (عشاء) Dusk until dawnF 4 Raka'ah - 4 Raka'ah 2 Raka'ah
Salat al-Layl:
8 raka'ah (4x2 Raka'ah)
+ 3 Raka'ah Witr
or depending on madhaahib
+2 Rak'at Shafe'
+1 Rak'at El Witr
1 Raka'ah,CG
Salat al-Layl:C
8 raka'ah (4x2 Raka'ah)
+2 Rak'at Shafe'
+1 Rak'at El Witr
  • Sunni often pray two Raka'ah Nafl after Dhuhr, Maghrib and Isha'a.
  • ^A According to Shia Muslims, these are to be performed in sets of two raka'ah each.
  • ^B Prayed daily by Muhammad (Sunnis).
  • ^C Mustahab (praiseworthy) to do everyday (Shias). Wajib (almost to the level of obligatory) (Hanifiyyah). Sunnah Mu'akkadah (voluntary but highly stressed) (Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali).
  • ^D Replaced by Jumu'ah on Fridays, which consists of two raka'ah.
  • ^E According to Abū Ḥanīfa, "Asr starts when the shadow of an object becomes twice its height (plus the length of its shadow at the start time of Dhuhr)." For the rest of Sunni Imams, "Asr starts when the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length (plus the length of its shadow at the start time of Dhuhr)." Asr ends as the sun begins to set.
  • ^F According to Shia Muslims, 'Asr prayer and 'Ishaa prayer have no set times but are performed from mid-day. Zuhr and 'Asr prayers must be performed before sunset, and the time for 'Asr prayer starts after Zuhr has been performed. Maghrib and 'Ishaa prayers must be performed before midnight, and the time for 'Ishaa prayer can start after Maghrib has been performed, as long as no more light remains in the western sky signifying the arrival of the true night.
  • ^G According to Shia Muslims, this prayer is termed nawafil.


In the Jaʻfarī view, the hands are to be left hanging straight down the side during the standing position of the prayer, while the Sunni schools of thought (except for the majority of Malikis) hold that they should be folded. The Jaʻfarī consider the five daily prayers to be compulsory, though the Jaʻfarī consider it acceptable to pray the second and third prayer, and the fourth and fifth prayer, one after the other during the parts of the day where they believe the timings for these prayers to overlap. The other three Sunni schools allow this consolidation of daily prayers only while travelling or under some other constraint.

Khums: One-fifth tax[edit]

Khums (خمس) is the Arabic word for one fifth (1/5). In Islamic legal terminology, it means "one-fifth of certain items which a person acquires as wealth, and which must be paid as an Islamic tax".[58] According to Shi'a, the items eligible for khums are referred to as Ghanima (الْغَنيمَة) in the Quran. The Arabic word Ghanima has two meanings

  • "spoils of war" or "war booty"
  • gain or profit

The Sunni translate this word exclusively as "war booty" or "spoils of war".[59] The Twelvers hold the view that the word Ghanima has two meanings as mentioned above, the second meaning is illustrated by the common use of the Islamic banking term al-ghunm bil-ghurm meaning "gains accompany liability for loss or risk".[60][61]


Mut'ah: Temporary marriage[edit]

Main article: Nikah mut'ah

Nikāḥ al-Mut'ah, Nikah el Mut'a (Arabic: نكاح المتعة‎, also Nikah Mut'ah literally, "marriage of pleasure"),[63] or sighah, is a fixed-time marriage which, according to the Usuli Shia schools of Shari'a (Islamic law), is a marriage with a preset duration, after which the marriage is automatically dissolved. It has many conditions that can be considered as pre-requisite, similar to that of permanent marriage. It is the second form of Islamic marriage (Nikah). However, it is regarded as haram (prohibited) by Sunnis. This is a highly controversial fiqh topic; Sunnis and Shi'a hold diametrically opposed views on its permissibility. But some of the Sunni Muslims recognizes Nikah Misyar. Mutah existed during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, and during his time it was not prohibited. On this principle, Shias believe that anything that was allowed during the time of the Prophet should remain allowed after.


Twelver Shi'a, celebrate the following annual holidays:


  • The Mourning of Muharram or Remembrance of Muharram and Ashurah (عاشوراء) for Shia commemorates Imam Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom in the Battle of Karbala. Imam Husayn was grandson of Muhammad, who was killed by Yazid ibn Muawiyah,the second Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate (and the first one by heredity).One group of Sunni Scholars have deemed Yazeed to be a kaafir(e.g. Sunni Scholar Ibn Jauzi in Wafa al-Wafa), another has stated he was a fasiq (transgressor), a fajir (one that commits debauchery) and a drunkard.Yazeed considered nikah (marriage) with mothers and sisters to be permissible and drank alcohol". Ashurah is a day of deep mourning which occurs on the 10th of Muharram. Sunnis also commemorates Imam Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom, but little different from Shi'as.

Martyrdom of Imam Husayn[edit]

The death of the grandson of Muhammad and the son of Ali, Husayn ibn Ali on the Tenth of Muharram - known as Ashura - plays a significant role in Twelver theology. This day is annually commemorated with grief and sorrow; some participate in ritual beating of their chests, as some believe this is a form of expressing the helplessness that comes from a practical inability to have helped Husayn and his small troop of 72 family and supporters. Some hit themselves as a form of emotional and love for the ahlulbayt and their sacrifice and martyrdom. In most nations with significant Shia populations, one can observe large crowds in processions grieving over Husayn's death. The events of Ashura tell a story of a leader fighting against an oppressive tyrant, Yazid, who seized power and had committed atrocities against the people of the empire that he had inherited.

Notable scholars[edit]

See also: List of marjas



Guardianship of the Jurisprudent[edit]

Traditionally Twelver Shi'a Muslims consider 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and the subsequent further eleven Imams not only religious guides but political leaders, based on a crucial hadith where Muhammad passes on his power to command Muslims to Ali. Since the last Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, went into "occultation" in 939 and is not expected back until end times, this left Shi'a without religiously sanctioned governance. In contrast, the Ismaili Imams did successfully gain political power with the Fatimid Caliphate. After the fall of the Fatimid Caliphate Ismaili Shi'asm started to lean towards secular thought.


In general, the Shi'a adhere to one of three approaches towards the state: either full participation in government, i.e., attempting to influence policies by becoming active in politics, or passive cooperation with it, i.e. minimal participation, or else most commonly, mere toleration of it, i.e. remaining aloof from it.[65] Historically, Zaidi and Ismaili Shi'a imams functioned as both religious and political leaders, but later after the fall of the Fatimid Caliphate the Ismaili imamate became a secular institution. In general, Twelver Shi'a historically remained secular.





  6. ^ International Crisis Group. The Shiite Question in Saudi Arabia, Middle East Report No. 45, 19 September 2005.
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  11. ^ Momen (1985), p. 174.
  12. ^ Nasr (1979), p. 15.
  13. ^ Corbin (1993), pp. 45–51.
  17. ^ Except Twelfth Imam
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  21. ^ Poonawala, I. K. "ʿALI B. ABI ṬĀLEB". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2014-07-07. 
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  23. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p.192
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  27. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p.195
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  30. ^ Madelung, Wilferd. "ḤOSAYN B. ʿALI". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2008-03-23. 
  31. ^ a b c d Madelung, Wilferd. "ʿALĪ B. ḤOSAYN B. ʿALĪ B. ABĪ ṬĀLEB, ZAYN-AL-ʿĀBEDĪN". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
  32. ^ a b c d e Tabatabae (1979), p.202
  33. ^ a b c d e Madelung, Wilferd. "BĀQER, ABŪ JAʿFAR MOḤAMMAD". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
  34. ^ Tabatabae (1979), p.203
  35. ^ "JAʿFAR AL-ṢĀDEQ, ABU ʿABD-ALLĀH". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2014-07-07. 
  36. ^ a b c d e f Tabatabae (1979), p.203–204
  38. ^ a b Madelung, Wilferd. "ʿALĪ AL-REŻĀ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-09. 
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  40. ^ Tabatabae (1979) p. 78
  41. ^ Sachedina (1988), pp.53–54
  43. ^ a b c d e Tabatabae (1979), p. 207
  44. ^ a b c d e f Madelung, Wilferd. "ʿALĪ AL-HĀDĪ". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2007-11-08. 
  45. ^ Tabatabae (1979), pp.208–209
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  47. ^ Tabatabae (1979) pp. 209–210
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  49. ^ "THE CONCEPT OF MAHDI IN TWELVER SHIʿISM". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2014-07-07. 
  50. ^ "ḠAYBA". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2014-07-07. 
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  53. ^ Tabatabae (1979), pp. 211–214
  55. ^ Rizvi, Muhammad. Shi'ism: Imamate and Wilayat.
  56. ^ S.V. Mir Ali/Ayatollah Mahdi Puya Commentary of Quran Verse 2:124.
  57. ^ "USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts". Retrieved 2006-09-12. 
  58. ^ Khums (The Islamic Tax).
  59. ^ Surah 8. Spoils Of War, Booty.
  60. ^ Glossary of Islamic Banking Terms.
  61. ^ ...Challenges Facing Islamic Banking.
  63. ^ Mut'ah from Encyclopædia Britannica.

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

  4. The thesis on "Life of Jawad-ul-Ulama" research work of Dr.Inayet Ali (Aligarh Muslim University)


External links[edit]