Shia or Shi'ite?

[Adso de Fimnu]

Which is the correct term for non-Sunni muslims? Nobody seems to agree. Does anyone out there speak Arabic?

 

[Marla_Singer]

As English isn't my first language. I'm also interested to know. So please natives ! Answer !

 

[Jawz II]

ive spent some time in that part of the world,i havent met one shia that called themselves shiíte, not that they know what that word means in english!

i think thats the word the sunnis use for them or something, not sure

 

[Sarevok]

they ought to figure it out...

 

[Benderino]

"Shi'ite" looks cooler in writing and makes me sound more professional

 

[zulu9812]

I thought Shi'a was the plural noun, and Shi'ite the adjective?

EDIT: lol...yes, I meant the adjective

 

[Adso de Fimnu]

I thought Shi'a was the plural noun, and Shi'ite the verb?

Uh... do you mean adjective?
"I'll shi'ite you!"

 

[MrPresident]

Shi'ite because it sounds rude.

 

[North King]

Shi'ite, because it sounds better, it has a sharp, distinctive ending, which sounds much better than the open ended Shia.

 

[Birdjaguar]

It appears that our arabic speakers are all off playing civ.

 

[Syterion]

I know a lot of Shia/Shi'ite muslims(50+), and I still have no idea.

 

[SeleucusNicator]

It's a contraction for the Arabic phrase "follower of Ali". I knew it back when I was taking an Islamic History course last fall, but, alas, I have since forgotten.

I say shi'ite exclsuively, in any case.

 

[(+) Influence]

Shi'ite, because that's how it's written on most news sources I read.

 

[Gogf]

I only say Shi'ite. Shia reminds me a of a certain very politically correct teacher I had two years ago.

 

[Adso de Fimnu]

But apparently nobody knows which one is right...
(I guess that means it's a good question.)

 

[airrahul]

The full term is (pardon me, but my spelling of Arabic words in English is very very horrible) "shi'at ali" or "partisans of Ali", a relative of Muhammad, who was a favored heir to the position of Caliph after Abu Bakr, the first caliph died. However, he was passed in favor of someone else and when finally given the position, I believe he was assasinated. Then, his supporters clashed with those who supported the other candidate and so the Sunni (orthodox) and Shi'ite (pronounced "shee-ah" whenever I've heard a muslim say it, these were the supporters of Ali) sects or groups were formed. Don't quote me on this as my memory of World History class and discussions with a friend of mine who is part of a Shia (I prefer this spelling) sub-sect isn't the best.

 

[Jawz II]

see thats what i told you!

 

[The Last Conformist]

I say Shi'ite, because that's got a sensible Swedish plural.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

non-Sunnis? Well that depends if they are Druze or Shi'ite or other.

 

[puglover]

I don't know, but Shi'ite sounds much cooler.