Shia is the second major religion in Islam. The word Shi'a is a short
form of 'Shi'a' Ali, the follower or party of Ali bin Abi Talib, the
first Imam. Shiites make up between 5% and 5% of the total Muslim
population of the world and 5% of the Middle East Muslim
population.Although it has been divided into several branches throughout
Shiite history, today there are only three main categories of twelve
Shiites, Ismaili Shiites and Zaidi Shiites. The Shiite religion is based
on an interpretation of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH),
which has been expressed and taught by the Shiite Imams.The common
denominator of all Shiites is the belief in the appointment of Ali ibn
Abi Talib for the succession of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam, and his
Imamate after him. The Shiites believe that it is God alone who can
install a person to preserve Islam, teach the Shari'a, and lead the
ummah as an imam.