To claim the term "Shi'a" is used in the Noble Qur'an only as a positive connotation or as a positive description is a falsehood. The term "Shi'a" is a neutral term which takes on a positive or negative connotation based upon the context of the Qur'anic verse. Rafidhi Shi'ites conveniently quote some selected verses that use the term "Shi'a" in positive contexts, as proof of their superiority over the Sunnis, while leaving out other verses that use the term in negative contexts.
Literally, Ash-Shi'a (الشيعة) is derived from a singular word Shi'un (شيع). The word Shi'un (شيع) and when it is said as "شَاعَ الخبر" from (شَاعَ، يَشِيعُ، شَيعًا) it will mean as "ذاعَ", meaning, "To spread news". When it is said as "أشاع الخبر" it will mean as "He propagate a news".
When it is said as "شيعة الرجل" the meaning will be (أتباعه و أنصاره): "To follow a man and support him". Therefore when a group of people is following and supporting him, in Arabic terms, it will mean as "شيعًا" or "فرقًا" or "أحزاباً" meaning “group” or “sect” or “community”.
Example of the term used in a negative context (sectarianism):
As in the Quran has stated that:
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَہُمۡ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعً۬ا لَّسۡتَ مِنۡہُمۡ فِى شَىۡءٍۚ إِنَّمَآ أَمۡرُهُمۡ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُہُم بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفۡعَلُونَ
“Verily, those who divide their religion, and break up into Shi-ya'an (all kinds of religious sects) you (Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam) have nothing to do with them. Their case rest with Allah alone; then He will tell them what they have been doing” (Al-An’aam : 159)
Example of the term used in a positive context (group/companion of Prophet Musa):
Also in the Quran has stated that:
وَدَخَلَ ٱلۡمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفۡلَةٍ۬ مِّنۡ أَهۡلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيہَا رَجُلَيۡنِ يَقۡتَتِلَانِ هَـٰذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ وَهَـٰذَا مِنۡ عَدُوِّهِۦۖ فَٱسۡتَغَـٰثَهُ ٱلَّذِى مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ عَلَى ٱلَّذِى مِنۡ عَدُوِّهِۦ فَوَكَزَهُ ۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيۡهِۖ قَالَ هَـٰذَا مِنۡ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَـٰنِۖ إِنَّهُ ۥ عَدُوٌّ۬ مُّضِلٌّ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬“Once he entered the city at a time when its people were heedless; so he found in it two men fighting each other; This one was from his own Shi'a (group), and that one from his enemies. So the one from his own Shi'a (group) called him for help against the one who was from his enemies. So Musa gave him a blow with his fist and finished him off. (Then) He (Musa) said (out of remorse),: This is some of Satan’s act. He is indeed a clear enemy who misleads (people).” (Al-Qasas : 15)
Terminological definition:
Firuzabadi, in his Qamusu’l-Lughat, says:
“The name Shi'a commonly means every person who is a friend of Ali and his Ahlu Bait. This name is peculiar to them."
In Al-Nihaya by Ibnu Atheer (Vol 2 Page 519), says that:
"Shi'a refers to those people that have associated their aqeedah with 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and his household, this word has become associated with these people"
In Lisanul Arab by Ibnu Manzhur (Vol 2 Page 189), says that:
"Shi'a refers to those people that have their aqeedah with 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and his household, to the point that this term has become specifically associated with them"
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