# Shia Research: Ask & Cite — Answers from Quran & Hadith > Ask questions about Shia texts and get cited answers from primary sources. (iPhone/iPad app by HZX LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shia-research-ask-and-cite/id6794732891 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [HZX LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6781309364) - Category: Reference, Education - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 5.00/5 from 21 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.0 · 22 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-08-07 - Data updated: 2026-09-02 - Monetization: freemium - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shia-research-ask-and-cite/id6794732891/reviews.md ## What is Shia Research? Shia Research answers questions about the Twelver Shia textual tradition — and shows you exactly which passages the answer came from. Ask in any language. Every answer is assembled from the primary sources and cited line by line, so you can read the original text yourself instead of taking the answer on trust. WHAT'S INSIDE Over 395,000 passages from the classical corpus, including: • The Four Books — al-Kafi, Man la Yahduruh al-Faqih, Tahdhib al-Ahkam, al-Istibsar • The major later collections — Wasa'il al-Shi'a, Mustadrak al-Wasa'il • Tafsir — Nur al-Thaqalayn, al-Burhan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an • Rijal — narrator biographies and the classical evaluations of them • Nahj al-Balagha and al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya • Shaykh al-Saduq's corpus — 'Ilal al-Shara'i', al-Khisal, 'Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, and more • Treatises, lectures, and contemporary juridical material HOW IT WORKS • Ask a question — the app retrieves the passages that actually bear on it, rather than searching for keywords • Read the citation beside every claim, with the book and passage included • Highlight a passage while reading and leave yourself a note on it • Photograph a label or a passage with Image Mode — get an instant read, including a halal/haram/check verdict on food labels • See how different scholars answer a contested question in Ikhtilāf Mode • Ask follow-ups in the same conversation • Sign in and your research is saved and available on the web at shiaresearch.org WHAT THIS IS NOT This is a research and study tool, not a source of religious rulings. It reports what the texts say and who transmitted them. For a binding ruling, consult a qualified scholar. MEMBERSHIP Asking questions is free — ten questions every two hours, no account needed. A membership adds: • Follow-up questions in the same conversation • Twenty questions an hour, counted per account • Ask questions about any passage while you read through the books • Ask your own question in Ikhtilāf Mode • Upload your own document and study it against the corpus • Photograph a label or a passage with Image Mode — get an instant read, including a halal/haram/check verdict on food labels Monthly — $5.99 per month Annual — $47.99 per year Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours of the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Terms of Use: https://shiaresearch.org/terms Privacy Policy: https://shiaresearch.org/privacy ## Key features - Ask questions in plain English - Answers cited line by line - Access to over 200,000 passages - Includes Four Books, major collections, Tafsir, Rijal - Follow-up questions in conversations - Research saved across devices with membership ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | Membership Monthly | $5.99 | per month | | Membership Annual | $47.99 | per year | ## Recent user reviews (5 of 5) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shia-research-ask-and-cite/id6794732891/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Trustworthy *2026-08-11* As a revert, having a reliable source of information is very important and helpful ### 5/5 — Best App ever *2026-08-11* I found this app most helpful and informative. I have been asking so many questions and got the detailed answers from authentic resources and references and the top marajah. I highly recommend it to all the genuine seekers and those who want to seek knowledge from the school of Ahlebait(as). The best thing is you can ask questions in different languages. ### 5/5 — Amazing App *2026-08-10* Very impressed! ### 5/5 — Gives super detailed responses! *2026-08-10* This has been really useful for me. I’ve been asking it a lot of Islamic questions and I like that I can see exactly where the answers are coming from, so I can look into the sources further. Also, the fact that I can ask questions in a diff language too is a big plus. ### 5/5 — Amazing App *2026-08-10* This is the best AI App for Shia Sources. I love how user friendly this app is & the ease of access to answers related to Islam. ## Frequently asked questions about Shia Research ### What is Shia Research? Shia Research is a reference tool that answers questions about the Twelver Shia textual tradition. It provides answers derived directly from primary sources and cites the specific passages used, allowing users to review the original texts. ### How does Shia Research work? You ask a question in plain English, and the app retrieves relevant passages from its corpus. Each claim made in the answer is accompanied by a citation, indicating the book and passage from which it was derived. ### What kind of texts are included in Shia Research? The app contains over 200,000 passages from classical Shia texts, including The Four Books (al-Kafi, Man la Yahduruh al-Faqih, Tahdhib al-Ahkam, al-Istibsar), major later collections like Wasa'il al-Shi'a, Tafsir texts, Rijal works, Nahj al-Balagha, and al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya. ### Is Shia Research a source for religious rulings? No, Shia Research is strictly a research and study tool. It reports what the texts say and who transmitted them. For binding religious rulings, users are advised to consult a qualified scholar. ### What are the limitations of the free version of Shia Research? The free version allows six questions per hour without needing an account. It does not offer follow-up questions in the same conversation or save your research across devices. ### What benefits does a Shia Research membership offer? Membership provides unlimited follow-up questions within a conversation, increases the question limit to twenty per hour, and saves your research across all your devices and the web at shiaresearch.org. ### How much does a Shia Research membership cost? Membership is available through a monthly plan for $5.99 or an annual plan for $47.99. Payments are charged to your Apple Account upon purchase confirmation. ### Can I cancel my Shia Research membership? Yes, you can manage or cancel your subscription at any time through your Apple Account settings. The subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.4.4 — 2026-09-01 • Signed-in readers now get two free follow-up questions per conversation before Pro is needed. • Now available on iPad • Widgets are now available to add to your home screen ### 1.4.0 — 2026-08-25 • Image Mode. Photograph a label or a passage and get an instant read, including a halal/haram/check verdict on food labels. (Pro feature) • Ikhtilāf Mode Chat. See how different scholars or schools of thought answer your own question, with follow-ups in the same conversation. (Pro feature) • Study your own documents. Upload a PDF and get it read against the corpus, with starter questions and a brief. (Pro feature) • Stability and performance improvements ### 1.3.5 — 2026-08-16 • App now defaults to light mode • New Customization tab — adjust text size and switch between light/dark mode • Bug fixes and performance improvements ### 1.3.0 — 2026-08-13 • The Bookshelf is here. Browse the full library, open any book to read, and keep chapters to come back to later — synced to your account across devices, not just this phone. • Highlight and take notes. Select a passage while reading and leave yourself a note on it; tap the highlight anytime to see what you wrote. • Choose how much detail you want. Pick a shorter or longer answer to match what you're looking for. • Ask about what you're reading. Select text in a book or an answer to ask a follow-up about exactly those words (Pro feature). • Clearer sourcing. Citations now open the book and passage they came from, and answers attribute sources the same way the website does. • The corpus keeps growing — now past 280,000 source passages. • Smoother and more reliable. Numerous stability fixes, including an intermittent freeze after reopening a recent conversation. ### 1.2.8 — 2026-08-10 -New Ikhtilāf page -Choose how much detail you want. Pick a shorter or longer answer to match what you're looking for. -Reading lists, now on your phone. Pin books and individual chapters to come back to later — pinned items scroll instead of crowding the screen. -Clearer sourcing. Answers attribute their sources the same way the website does, and a source still being added is now labeled "coming soon" instead of looking broken. -A refreshed look. New app icon and refined visuals throughout. -Smoother and faster. 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Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*