Here are my suggestions for the improvement of the Shia:
I believe that it is highly important to strongly differentiate the two main Schisms of Islam from one another. Due to the more clerical nature of the Shīʻatu ʻAlī (Party of Ali), I believe that the Shia must play more like a clerical religion. Perhaps a Shia ruler could send his child away to a Shia Hawza (seminary) to become a Mujtahid, to go down the path of becoming a Shia cleric. On the death of his father, this Mujtahid heir would become the ruler; his rule would become more theocratic but not a theocracy per say. His rule would be seen as being supported by God and therefore Shia who rebel against him would gain Moharebeh trait (Moharebeh referring to a war against God) giving him a negative relationship modifier against other Shia rulers, and a slight piety drain. They would lose this trait if they converted, or were forgiven. There is the concept of Qadar (divine predestination) within Islam and if the Shia rebel won the war, he would lose the Moharebeh trait for it would be seen as part of God's will.
It would be interesting for any Mutjahid to be able to rise up the ranks of the Shia clergy, eventually becoming Ayatollahs (and later Grand Ayatollahs); giving prestige and a special relationship boost to other Shia rulers. The Grand Ayatollah's would work somewhat similarly to the College of Cardinals (CoC) within SoA, as there would only be a select few of them and only the highest Mutjahids would be able to join their ranks. The difference between the CoC and the Ayatollahs would be that any ruler could become one, be it a 'baron' or an Emperor. Unlike the Papacy in CK2, it would be possible for the Ayatollah's to all die out and subsequently fade into obscurity, to refound them would require a pious Mutjahid to pay for a new group to be set up.
The Ayatollahs would have the power to issue Fatwa against rulers and courtiers in the game, such as something similar to excommunication against Shia rulers. As well as being able to bestow honourary titles upon Shia rulers.
An important aspect would be the improvement of the Sayyid (descendants of Muhammad) in regards to the Shia. Due to Shia theology, descendents of Muhammad are even more highly regarded amongst the Shia than they are amongst other Schisms of Islam. Shia Sayyids would be encouraged even more to join the Shia clergy, and only the highest rank within the Shia clergy would open to them. This would be called the title of 'Imam'. The 'Imam' would be bestowed by election (again similar to the CoC) upon a very pious Ayatollah by election (or perhaps a pious Ayatollah could appeal to the Grand Ayatollahs for it) within the Grand Ayatollahs, and could only be bestowed upon a Sayyid. Like before, any Mujtahid could become the Imam. The Imam would work similarly to the Pope except he would act more as a 'first-among-equals' rather than a ruler among the Grand Ayatollahs. When there is no Shia Caliph, he would act as the 'head' of the Shia.
I have read a number people saying they want the Twelver and Sevener worked into the game, but without knowing fully what will be introduced in SoA regarding the Muslims it is difficult to recommend anything really. I guess if the Shia do not get anything out of it, they could get 'Twelver' and 'Sevener' traits like the Sunnis get Ash'ari and Mu'tazilite...
I also believe there should be some general Shia changes. For example, as well as the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca there should also be a pilgrimage solely for the Shia to the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf. I also believe there should be an event for the Shia to represent the commemoration of the 'Day of Ashura'; a very important part of the Shia calender.
Though I'm not fully versed expert on Shia Islam (my interest is solely as an academic hobby), I do know there is some debate amongst the Shia as to whether the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is considered holy, or as holy as some of the other Shia sites; such as the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala. I therefore recommend further study, and perhaps the movement of the Shia holy site from Jerusalem if necessary.
Clothing is another important aspect that could be explored. Non-Sayyid Shia clerics wear White turbans, while Sayyid Shia clerics wear black ones.
In regards to heresies, we know that we have two options with SoA. Either the heresy, takes over and becomes the new Orthodoxy or it carries on as a heresy. In my mind however, I think having 3 options is the best (and most historical); there is every possability that a new theological viewpoint that starts out as a heresy could stamp out the orthodoxy or become a schism of the religion (through a similar process to reforming the pagan religions) as time progresses. Therefore new fully fledged religions could come into existence later on in the game. This would allow for the Ibadis to become a proper Schism of Islam, and would be able to carry through to EUIV.
Congrats for reading this far, now TELL ME WHAT YE THINK!
(Might be a good idea to register your support)
Clerical robes a must!
*bump*
Either my ideas is amazing, or so absolutely terrible that it needs no mention.
I believe that it is highly important to strongly differentiate the two main Schisms of Islam from one another. Due to the more clerical nature of the Shīʻatu ʻAlī (Party of Ali), I believe that the Shia must play more like a clerical religion. Perhaps a Shia ruler could send his child away to a Shia Hawza (seminary) to become a Mujtahid, to go down the path of becoming a Shia cleric. On the death of his father, this Mujtahid heir would become the ruler; his rule would become more theocratic but not a theocracy per say. His rule would be seen as being supported by God and therefore Shia who rebel against him would gain Moharebeh trait (Moharebeh referring to a war against God) giving him a negative relationship modifier against other Shia rulers, and a slight piety drain. They would lose this trait if they converted, or were forgiven. There is the concept of Qadar (divine predestination) within Islam and if the Shia rebel won the war, he would lose the Moharebeh trait for it would be seen as part of God's will.
It would be interesting for any Mutjahid to be able to rise up the ranks of the Shia clergy, eventually becoming Ayatollahs (and later Grand Ayatollahs); giving prestige and a special relationship boost to other Shia rulers. The Grand Ayatollah's would work somewhat similarly to the College of Cardinals (CoC) within SoA, as there would only be a select few of them and only the highest Mutjahids would be able to join their ranks. The difference between the CoC and the Ayatollahs would be that any ruler could become one, be it a 'baron' or an Emperor. Unlike the Papacy in CK2, it would be possible for the Ayatollah's to all die out and subsequently fade into obscurity, to refound them would require a pious Mutjahid to pay for a new group to be set up.
The Ayatollahs would have the power to issue Fatwa against rulers and courtiers in the game, such as something similar to excommunication against Shia rulers. As well as being able to bestow honourary titles upon Shia rulers.
An important aspect would be the improvement of the Sayyid (descendants of Muhammad) in regards to the Shia. Due to Shia theology, descendents of Muhammad are even more highly regarded amongst the Shia than they are amongst other Schisms of Islam. Shia Sayyids would be encouraged even more to join the Shia clergy, and only the highest rank within the Shia clergy would open to them. This would be called the title of 'Imam'. The 'Imam' would be bestowed by election (again similar to the CoC) upon a very pious Ayatollah by election (or perhaps a pious Ayatollah could appeal to the Grand Ayatollahs for it) within the Grand Ayatollahs, and could only be bestowed upon a Sayyid. Like before, any Mujtahid could become the Imam. The Imam would work similarly to the Pope except he would act more as a 'first-among-equals' rather than a ruler among the Grand Ayatollahs. When there is no Shia Caliph, he would act as the 'head' of the Shia.
I have read a number people saying they want the Twelver and Sevener worked into the game, but without knowing fully what will be introduced in SoA regarding the Muslims it is difficult to recommend anything really. I guess if the Shia do not get anything out of it, they could get 'Twelver' and 'Sevener' traits like the Sunnis get Ash'ari and Mu'tazilite...
I also believe there should be some general Shia changes. For example, as well as the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca there should also be a pilgrimage solely for the Shia to the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf. I also believe there should be an event for the Shia to represent the commemoration of the 'Day of Ashura'; a very important part of the Shia calender.
Though I'm not fully versed expert on Shia Islam (my interest is solely as an academic hobby), I do know there is some debate amongst the Shia as to whether the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is considered holy, or as holy as some of the other Shia sites; such as the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala. I therefore recommend further study, and perhaps the movement of the Shia holy site from Jerusalem if necessary.
Clothing is another important aspect that could be explored. Non-Sayyid Shia clerics wear White turbans, while Sayyid Shia clerics wear black ones.
In regards to heresies, we know that we have two options with SoA. Either the heresy, takes over and becomes the new Orthodoxy or it carries on as a heresy. In my mind however, I think having 3 options is the best (and most historical); there is every possability that a new theological viewpoint that starts out as a heresy could stamp out the orthodoxy or become a schism of the religion (through a similar process to reforming the pagan religions) as time progresses. Therefore new fully fledged religions could come into existence later on in the game. This would allow for the Ibadis to become a proper Schism of Islam, and would be able to carry through to EUIV.
Congrats for reading this far, now TELL ME WHAT YE THINK!
(Might be a good idea to register your support)
Clerical robes a must!
*bump*
Either my ideas is amazing, or so absolutely terrible that it needs no mention.
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