Why is Shia important to Islam?

Specifically, Shia doctrine holds that not only Ali, but all of the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through the line of Ali and Fatima, were most qualified to hold supreme political and religious authority over the Islamic community. Each descendant named the person within the family lineage who should succeed him.

What is the significance of Shia Ashura?

Ashura
Observed by	Muslims
Type	Islamic and national (In some countries such as Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Iraq)
Significance	Marks the day that Musa was saved by God; Marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali and members of his family
Observances	Fasting, mourning

Why do Shia celebrate Muharram?

Shia. Shia Muslims around the world every year commemorate the mourning custom of death of Husayn ibn Ali, his family and his follower in months of Muharram and Safar. They entitle him “Prince of Martyrs” and know him as a spiritual and political savior.

Who started Shia Islam?

Ali ibn Abi Talib
While the founder of all Islam is clearly Muhammad, the founder of Shia Islam is unquestionably his nephew and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali would become the founder, Caliph, and first Imam of the Shia Islamic sect.

What Sunnis do on Muharram?

Better known as part of the Mourning of Muharram, Shi’i Muslims mourn the tragedy of Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī’s family, and Sunni Muslims practice fasting on Ashura. Muslims mourn the martyrdom of Ḥusayn and his family, honoring the martyrs by prayer and abstinence from joyous events.

Why did Muhammad not appoint a successor?

The Sunni believe that Muhammad had not appointed a successor and had instead intended for the Muslim community to choose a leader from among themselves. They accept the rule of Abu Bakr, who was elected at Saqifah, and that of his successors, who are together referred to as the Rashidun Caliphs.