Ibrahim's Rise from Shia to Imamate
From Shiʿa to Imamate: Abraham’s Rise and the Wisdom of Building the House An Ontological Transformation in the Qur’an Through the Concepts of Shiʿa, Millah, and Imamate The Chain of Obedience from Noah to Abraham It is clear from the Qur’an that the prophets form a linked chain of proclamation. In Surah al-Saffāt, verse 79 sends peace upon Noah, and verses 83–84 state that Abraham was among his shiʿa (ش۪يعَتِه۪): “And indeed, Abraham was among his followers.” (Saffāt 83) The word shiʿa (ش۪يعَة), in its root meaning, refers to a group that follows someone, a community of supporters. In this context, it signifies that Abraham belonged to a faith lineage that followed the principles brought by Noah. However, the Qur’anic narrative reveals that Abraham did not remain merely a follower — he was promoted to a new mission of leadership and construction. From Shiʿa to Millah: Follower or Founder? In the Qur’an, the term millah is used to denote a religious-social system establi...
