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Quizzes > Society & Culture

Shia quiz: Test your knowledge of Shia Islam

Quick, free Shia quiz with answers. Instant results and brief explainers.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Ken Ken FranciscoUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a quiz about Shia Islam featuring geometric patterns and question motifs on dark blue background

This Shia Islam quiz helps you check your understanding of beliefs, history, and practice through short, clear questions and answers. For a broader view of faith topics, try the islamic general knowledge quiz, explore a wider mix in the religious studies quiz, or take a quick muslim quiz to compare your basics.

In Shia Islam, the doctrine that leadership of the Muslim community belongs to divinely appointed successors of the Prophet is called what? Explanation: Shia theology holds that the Imamate is a divinely designated institution continuing the Prophet's guidance through specific successors.
Tariqah
Murji'ah
Khilafah by election
Imamate
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The Twelver Shia recognize exactly twelve Imams descending from the Prophet through Fatimah and Ali. Explanation: Twelver (Ithna Ashari) Shia affirm a fixed line of twelve Imams.
False
True
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According to Shia tradition, the event at Ghadir Khumm is primarily remembered for which proclamation by the Prophet Muhammad? Explanation: At Ghadir Khumm, the Prophet said, 'For whomever I am his mawla, Ali is his mawla,' which Shia interpret as designation of Ali's leadership.
Appointment of Abu Bakr as imam for prayer
Prohibition of interest (riba)
Announcement of the first Ramadan fast
'Whoever I am his mawla, Ali is his mawla'
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Ashura in Shia Islam commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala. Explanation: The 10th of Muharram is observed in memory of Imam Husayn's martyrdom in 680 CE.
True
False
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Which city is most closely associated with the shrine of Imam Husayn and the events of Karbala? Explanation: Karbala in present-day Iraq is the site of Imam Husayn's martyrdom and shrine.
Karbala
Cairo
Damascus
Medina
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Which principle allows concealing one's faith under threat in Shia thought? Explanation: Taqiyya permits dissimulation to protect life, limb, or faith under persecution.
Ijma'
Taqiyya
Qiyas
Shura
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In Shia practice of wudu (ablution), the feet are wiped rather than washed. Explanation: The Ja'fari method prescribes wiping over the feet based on Qur'an 5:6 and hadith.
False
True
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Which work is a renowned collection of sermons, letters, and sayings attributed to Imam Ali compiled by al-Sharif al-Radi? Explanation: Nahj al-Balagha is a key literary and theological work in Shia heritage.
Tafsir al-Tabari
Bihar al-Anwar
Nahj al-Balagha
Sahifa Sajjadiyya
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Shia Muslims often prostrate on a small clay tablet called a turbah, commonly made from Karbala earth. Explanation: Prostration on earth (not fabric) is preferred; Karbala clay is especially esteemed.
True
False
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Which legal obligation in Shia Islam designates one-fifth of certain gains for specified recipients? Explanation: Khums is a 20% levy on certain profits, allocated to Imam's share and needy of Banu Hashim, administered via maraji' in occultation.
Jizya
Zakat al-fitr
Khums
Fidyah
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Which scholar authored Al-Istibsar and Tahdhib al-Ahkam, two of the Four Books of Shia hadith? Explanation: Shaykh al-Tusi wrote these major hadith compilations.
Al-Mufid
Shaykh al-Tusi
Al-Kulayni
Al-Saduq
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In Shia belief, the Verse of Purification (Qur'an 33:33) is specifically associated with Ahl al-Kisa (People of the Cloak). Explanation: Shia exegesis links 33:33 to the Prophet, Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn via hadith.
False
True
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Which imam is titled Zayn al-Abidin and is recognized as the fourth Twelver Imam? Explanation: Ali ibn al-Husayn, also known as al-Sajjad, is the 4th Imam.
Ali ibn al-Husayn
Hasan al-Askari
Muhammad al-Baqir
Musa al-Kazim
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Shia hadith collection Man la yahduruhu al-faqih was authored by al-Saduq. Explanation: Ibn Babawayh al-Saduq compiled this legal-oriented hadith work.
False
True
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Which phrase best describes the hadith of al-Thaqalayn as understood in Shia Islam? Explanation: The Prophet said he leaves the Qur'an and his Ahl al-Bayt; adherence to both prevents misguidance.
Follow the Companions exclusively
No need for transmitted guidance
Clinging to the Qur'an and Ahl al-Bayt prevents misguidance
Only the Qur'an suffices without any guides
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Which theological concept in Shia thought indicates that God may manifest a change in decree based on conditions, without implying divine ignorance? Explanation: Bada' signifies an apparent change to us while God's knowledge is eternal; it stresses contingency of fate.
Tahrif
Hulul
Tashbih
Bada'
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Shia exegesis commonly identifies the Verse of Wilayah (Qur'an 5:55) with Ali giving charity while in ruku'. Explanation: Reports state Ali gave his ring in bowing; Shia cite this as an indication of his wilayah.
True
False
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Which pair correctly names the father-son Imams known as al-Baqir and al-Sadiq, pivotal in Shia law and theology? Explanation: Muhammad al-Baqir (5th) and his son Ja'far al-Sadiq (6th) shaped Ja'fari teachings.
Hasan al-Askari and Muhammad al-Mahdi
Muhammad al-Baqir and Ja'far al-Sadiq
Musa al-Kazim and Ali al-Rida
Ali al-Hadi and Hasan al-Askari
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The event of Mubahala (Qur'an 3:61) is linked in Shia sources to the Prophet going with Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn. Explanation: Reports narrate the Prophet's family accompanying him to invoke mutual supplication with a Najrani delegation.
False
True
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Which legal-theological orientation emphasizes following a living marja' and ijtihad in deriving rulings? Explanation: The Usuli school advocates taqlid of a qualified jurist and the use of principles of jurisprudence.
Usuli
Mu'tazili
Zahiri
Akhbari
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Shia Beliefs -

    Through engaging islamic questions and answers, recognize the foundational principles, figures, and rituals unique to Shia Islam.

  2. Recall Core Terminology -

    Memorize key terms and definitions by answering islamic questions for kids and adults, strengthening your grasp of essential concepts.

  3. Analyze Difficulty Levels -

    Differentiate between easy islamic questions for kids and hard islamic questions to gauge your knowledge and track your progress.

  4. Apply Scriptural Knowledge -

    Use references from the Quran and Hadith to correctly respond to quiz prompts and deepen your engagement with Shia teachings.

  5. Enhance Critical Thinking -

    Tackle islamic trivia for kids and advanced questions to improve reasoning skills and broaden your understanding of Islamic history.

  6. Identify Learning Gaps -

    Review quiz results to pinpoint areas needing further study, guiding your continued exploration of Shia Islam.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Event of Ghadir Khumm -

    The Prophet's declaration at Ghadir Khumm in 632 CE, recorded in sources like Encyclopaedia of Islam and al-Islam.org, is foundational for Shia succession beliefs. Use the mnemonic "Ghadir's Gleam: Ali's Theme" to recall that this event marks Ali's divinely appointed leadership.

  2. Doctrine of Imamate -

    Shia theology defines the Imam as a divinely appointed, infallible leader endowed with special knowledge (al-ʿIlm), authority (al-Sulṭĝn), and purity (al-ʿIsmah), a formula emphasized in Momen's Principles of Shi'i Islam (1985). Remember "IAP: Infallible, Appointed, Pure" for each key Imam quality.

  3. Usūl al-Dīn: Five Roots -

    The five roots - Tawḥīd (unity of God), ʿAdĝlah (divine justice), Nubuwwah (prophethood), Imĝmah (leadership), and Qiyĝmah (resurrection) - form the core of Twelver doctrine, as outlined by J.T.P. de Bruijn in Journal of Qur'anic Studies. A handy acronym is "TAINQ" to lock in each principle.

  4. Key Texts: Qur'an & Nahj al-Balĝgha -

    While the Qur'an remains the primary scripture, Nahj al-Balĝgha - compiled by Sharīf al-Raḝī (d. 1015 CE) - provides critical sermons and letters of Imam ʿAlī (AS). Studying selected sermons with side-by-side Qur'anic parallels helps cement understanding.

  5. Commemoration of Muḥarram & Ashūra -

    The mourning rituals of Muharram, especially Ashūra (10th of Muharram), memorialize Imam Ḥusayn's stand at Karbalĝ in 680 CE, per studies at al-Islam.org and Oxford Islamic Studies. Use the phrase "Ashūra Awakens Awareness" to remember its spiritual and historical significance.

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