The Shi'a sect is a minority branch of Islam, mainly concentrated in Iran and Iraq. They believe that only descendants of Prophet Muhammad have legitimate authority to lead the Islamic community.
Related terms
Imamate: A concept in Shi'a Islam referring to spiritual and political leadership held by imams who are believed to be divinely appointed.
Ayatollah: A high-ranking Shia religious scholar who has achieved expertise in Islamic studies.
Karbala: A city in modern-day Iraq where one of the most significant events in Shi'a history took place, known as the Battle of Karbala.