Isnaasharis

Isnaasharis is a term used to refer to adherents of the Twelver Ja'fari school of Islam, which is the largest branch of Shia Islam. The name "Isnaashari" derives from the Arabic "ithna 'ashari," meaning "twelve," referring to the twelve infallible Imams who are considered by this sect to be the rightful successors to the Prophet Muhammad. These Imams are believed to have been divinely appointed and possess unique spiritual and political authority.

The theological foundation of Isnaashari Islam rests on the concept of Imamate. Following the Prophet Muhammad, Twelvers believe in a lineage of twelve Imams, starting with Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, and concluding with Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to be in occultation and will reappear at the end of times to establish justice and peace. The teachings and interpretations of these Imams are considered authoritative alongside the Quran.

Isnaashari jurisprudence follows the Ja'fari school of law, attributed to the sixth Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq. This school has its own distinct principles for deriving legal rulings from Islamic texts. Ritual practices include daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, and charity. Specific devotional practices and commemorations, such as Ashura, which mourns the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the third Imam, are also central to their religious life. Isnaasharis are found in significant numbers in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Lebanon, and Bahrain, as well as in diaspora communities worldwide.