It is used to seek intercession through Ali, (where many Sunni Muslims would call blasphemous), the 1st
Shia imam and 4th
Sunni caliph, with most practitioners being Shia Muslims. However, it is not, as many believe, calling upon Ali, which would make it
shirk by
Sharia. Whether phrases like
Ya Ali, and similar ones like
Ya Muhammad or
Ya Husayn (
tawassul), are shirk is a
debated topic amongst
Islamic scholars.
Mourning of Muharram During the
mourning of Muharram, it is very common for Shia Muslims to say
Ya Ali. On such occasions, the slogans demonstrate support.
Other The phrase is often used on various
flags, especially on official flags of
Iran, and also the name giver for the Iranian missile
Ya-Ali and the
Shia militant group
Ya Ali Popular Formations. == See also ==