Twelver

Twelver refers to a branch of Shia Islam that believes in the leadership of a line of twelve Imams, starting with Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and culminating in Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to be in occultation and will return as a messianic figure. Twelvers hold that these Imams are divinely appointed leaders with special spiritual authority and knowledge. This belief system significantly influences the religious practices, theology, and culture of Twelver Shia communities, primarily in countries like Iran and Iraq.