Imāmī Shīʿism

Imāmī Shīʿism, also known as Twelver Shīʿism, is the largest branch of Shīʿa Islam. It originated from a dispute over the succession of the Prophet Muhammad. Twelvers believe that leadership of the Muslim community, the imamate, was divinely ordained to pass from Muhammad to his cousin and son-in-law, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, and then through a line of twelve imams descended from ʿAlī. The twelfth imam, Muḥammad al-Mahdī, is believed to be in occultation and will return as the Mahdī to bring justice to the world.123

The core of Twelver belief centers on the imamate, with imams considered divinely appointed, infallible guides possessing superior religious knowledge. This contrasts with Sunni Islam, which emphasizes the consensus of the community and elected caliphs. Twelver Shīʿism has been the state religion of Iran since 1501 and is also prevalent in Iraq, Bahrain, and other parts of the world.24