Shia Islam
Proper noun
Meaning
Shia Islam
Synonym of Shi'ism
Synonyms
Examples
Followers of Shia Islam, however, believe a Caliph should be an Imam chosen by God from the Ahl al-Bayt (the "Family of the House", Muhammad's direct descendants).
Khomeini was a marja ("source of emulation") in Twelver Shia Islam, a Mujtahid or faqih (an expert in Islamic law ) and author of more than 40 books, but he is primarily known for his political activities.
Islam, in general, tends to be more iconoclastic than Christianity, with Sunni Islam being more iconoclastic than Shia Islam.
Later Ilkhanate rulers, beginning with Ghazan in 1295, embraced Islam his brother Öljaitü promoted Shia Islam.
It is reported that they embraced Shia Islam between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century, during the Safavid period. citation http://fletcher.
Prior to this, identity in both countries largely relied upon religion i.e. Shia Islam in the particular case of Iran.