What are the Shi'a Groups?

Sub-divisions or groups have emerged out of theological disagreements amongst Shi'a Muslims. One division arises over the legitimacy of the transmission of authority of the Imams. The largest Shi'a tradition is known as the Twelvers, Ithna'ashari or Jafari (by madhhab). Twelver Shi'a Muslims believe that there were twelve infallible Imams who succeeded the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh), while Zaidis believe there were five Imams and the Isma'ilis believe there were seven of the early period. Some Zaidis consider themselves to be part of the Sunni tradition. The Agha Khan is the leader of the Nizari branch of Isma'ilis, though not the Musta'li branch (mostly found in India and Saudi Arabia.) The branch known as -Alawis also consider themselves Shi'a, although many Twelvers do not view them as religiously legitimate. Shi'as are also divided in their interpretation of Scripture, and their attitude to following religious authority or taqlid. The most significant division theologically is between the Usuli and Akhbari.