Shiism is a term that refers to the branch of Islam that believes in the leadership of Ali and his descendants. There are several synonyms that are commonly used to refer to this branch of Islam, including Shia, Shiite, and Shi'a. These terms are often used interchangeably, but they can have slightly different connotations in different contexts. For example, the term Shiite is often used to refer to the followers of Ali in a more general sense, while the term Shia may be used more specifically to refer to the unique religious practices and beliefs of the Shi'a community. Other synonyms for Shiism include the Ahl al-Bayt, which refers to the family of the Prophet Muhammad, and Ja'farism, which refers to the teachings of the sixth Shia Imam, Ja'far al-Sadiq.