Then, the concept of hajj is also famous all over the world. Left directionless and without divine indication of succession policies, his followers tried to install a new leader on their own. On top of this, Sunnis tend to have less elaborate religious hierarchy than Shiites. The majority, however, seem to reside in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan. Your email address will not be published. What began as religious controversy soon became more political, revolving around the control of land and other resources. Shia are also guided by the wisdom of Muhammad's descendants through his son-in-law and cousin, Ali. This group became known as the Sunni, an Arabic word meaning 'tradition'. Sunni jihadist groups, including Islamic State (IS), have meanwhile been targeting Shia and their places of worship in Syria and neighbouring Iraq. Video, Five ways to stay as healthy as the Dutch, Utah schools ban Bible for 'vulgarity and violence'. Ali was assassinated in 661 A.D.with a poison-laced sword in a mosque at Kufa (present-day Iraq) as the bitter power struggle between the two sects rose. The Shia also believe that the Holy Quran mentions the higher spiritual status of the Imams from the Prophets family. Most of the Prophet Muhammad's followers wanted the community of Muslims to determine who would succeed him. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The schism emerged as the Prophet Mohammad died without a male heir and never stated who should be his successor. Anger in Belgium over verdict in student's hazing death, Beijing's comedy crackdown is hitting its music scene, Tracking the rise of Russias missile strikes on Kyiv, Why Indian politicians woo the diaspora in the US, 'There's no one way to be autistic' Video'There's no one way to be autistic', Five ways to stay as healthy as the Dutch. Sunni and Shia share the most of the fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. It is based "on a creed that the full word and meaning of the Koran and the Prophet Muhammad's message will only be made manifest, or real and just, upon the return of the 12th Imam, this messianic figure.". This group supported Ali ibn Abi Talib (Ali), Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, as Islam's leader. Generally where conflict has arisen this has been due to power imbalance or geopolitical conflict (such as between Iran and Saudi Arabia) than ideological difference. Pilgrimage to Mecca is one of many rituals that are shared by both sects, Egypt is home to some of Sunni Islam's oldest centres of learning, The deaths of Ali, Hassan and Hussein gave rise to the Shia concept of martyrdom, The execution by Saudi Arabia of a prominent Shia cleric triggered a diplomatic crisis with Iran. A smaller portion of Muslims, considering Muhammad's favor with Allah, determined a successor needed to remain in the prophet's bloodline. In Sunni belief, God will present himself on Judgment Day. Sunnis regard themselves as the orthodox branch of Islam. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. A fresco painting from the Chehel Sotun Pavillion in Isfahan, Iran, depicts Persian warfare during the Safavid dynasty period. Reprinted from 'The Shia Revival' by Vali Nasr. Subscribe for more videos: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV3Nm3T-. Shia Muslims give zakat to their religious leaders, then these religious leaders distribute it to the poor. The Iranian revolution of 1979 launched a radical Shia Islamist agenda that was perceived as a challenge to conservative Sunni regimes, particularly in the Gulf. Where do the majority of Muslims in the world live? Most Shia sects place importance on the belief that the twelfth and final imam is hidden (or "in occultation") and will reappear one day to fulfil Allahs divine will. The great majority of the world's more than 1.5 billion Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%. The Shia affirm that the Prophet declared Hazrat Ali as his successor to lead the Muslim community on several occasions. The war continued with Ali's son, Hussein, leading the Shiites. Eid al-Ghadeer- The anniversary of Ghadi, it was on this occasion Muhammad appointed Ali as the successor of Prophet Muhammad. Conflict has pushed most Shiite Muslims into Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. Despite the aforementioned differences, both Shia and Sunni Muslims read Quran, believe that Prophet Mohammad was the messenger of Allah, follow the tenets of Islam such as offering salah (praying daily), practising sawm (fasting during the month of Ramadan), Hajj (annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca), zakat (giving charity to poor) and pledging themselves to their faith. Copyright 2006 by Vali Nasr. "And thus they were the partisans of Ali, his cousin and son-in-law. What do they believe? Hassan is believed to have been poisoned in 680 by Muawiyah, the first caliph of the Sunni Umayyad dynasty, while Hussein was killed on the battlefield by the Umayyads in 681. The main ones are Sunnism and Shiism. Sunnis focus on following the Prophets example whereas Shia focus on the lineage of Muhammads family through a series of Imams. So what exactly divides Sunni and Shia Islam, and how deep does the rift go? The majority of Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Eventually, Ali was chosen as the fourth caliph, but not before violent conflict broke out. Later on, these two groups came to be known as Shia and Sunni. Abu Bakr was a close companion of Muhammad and the father of his second wife - and most Muslims accepted him being selected as the first legitimate Caliph. Please refer toour Copyright page for fulldetails, Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats. It is recorded in both Shia and Sunni hadith collections that Prophet Muhammad spoke to the gathering. The name "Sunni" is derived from the phrase "Ahl al-Sunnah", or "People of the Tradition". And most of them believed it. Read about our approach to external linking. According to Islamic Centre, anyone can become an Islamic Scholar, who has intelligence and the will can take command. Can you save the Blueberries by Spotting the Ant within 11 seconds? But while Sunnis rely heavily on the practice of the Prophet and his teachings (the sunna), the Shia see their ayatollahs as reflections of God on Earth. In many parts of the world, Sunni and Shia have lived together peacefully and even intermarried. And God is Hearing and Knowing.". How to Test your IQ at Home? The great. Those who believe in the Hidden Imam are known as Twelver Shiites. The Shia uphold that the Prophet is reported to have said, I am leaving among you two matters of great weight, the Book of Allah and my kindred, the People of my House (Ahl al-Bayt). Similar versions of this saying are found in both Shia and Sunni hadith collections, including the Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Sahih Muslim of Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ab1852b5a578e0fd09eb3f23fa9fa1d0" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. marked the birth of Islam's founding prophet and the genesis of the faith's rich historical narrative. As time went on the religious beliefs of the two groups started to diverge. What came to be known as the Sunni sect won and chose Prophets close friend Abu Bakar as his successor and the first caliph of Islam. She has an M.A in instructional education. In the name of Allah, this divinely chosen leader, now known as the Prophet Muhammad, successfully united warring Arabic nations and created a religion that would soon spread worldwide. Shia is another form of the word Shiite. The original split between Sunnis and Shiites occurred soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, in the year 632. They also both share the holy book of the Quran. Since the 1970s, and especially since the Iranian Revolution . The Spread of Islam: History & Facts | The Progress of the Caliphates, Sunni Tradition in Islam | Overview, Major Beliefs & Practices, Muslim Learning: Scientific, Artistic, Medical & Literary Accomplishments. They were referred to as Ahl as-Sunnah in Arabic or Sunnism in English. Mongol Empire History, Expansion & Army | Who were the Mongols? One other factor about the Shiites bears mentioning. Shia police guarding the shrine Zakr Al-Deen, 2019. Since the 1970s, and especially since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, there has been growing tension between Sunni and Shia communities in parts of the Middle East. "There was a dispute in the community of Muslims in . Tehran's policy of supporting Shia militias and parties beyond its borders was matched by Sunni-ruled Gulf states, which strengthened their links to Sunni governments and movements elsewhere. Spot the Difference: Can you spot 3 differences between the couple picture in 12 seconds? ins.style.display='block';ins.style.minWidth=container.attributes.ezaw.value+'px';ins.style.width='100%';ins.style.height=container.attributes.ezah.value+'px';container.appendChild(ins);(adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({});window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'stat_source_id',44);window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId,'adsensetype',1);var lo=new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent);lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId+'-asloaded'),{attributes:true});Over time, there are many religions which have their branches. They make up 85% of the world's Muslim Population.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diffzy_com-box-4','ezslot_3',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-box-4-0'); Shia is the second largest branch of Muslim. There are also large Shia communities in Afghanistan, India, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. They just follow know that their religion is Islam, so they will only follow that. Sunnis believe that caliphs were chosen by the prophet and are the rightful leaders of Islam after Prophet. There are sizable Shia communities in Kuwait, Yemen, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Most adherents to the Islamic religious tradition belong to the Sunni branch, making up 90% of the world's Muslims. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diffzy_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');The main difference that has caused the split into different branches is due to the differences in belief, who is the successor of the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community. Sunni-Shiite conflict has continued in the modern world, causing friction in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, in Pakistan and Yemen, and throughout the Middle East and South Asia. Copyright The Economist Newspaper Limited 2023. The Sunnis on the other hand believe that they are the true adherents of the Sunnah and regarded the first three caliphs of Islam as rightly guided. It's not known precisely how many of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims are Shiites. Sunni is the largest denomination, whereas Sufi is a sub-division. And if there is one thing that's central to Islamic teaching, it is the oneness of God.". "An innocent spiritual figure is in many ways martyred by a far more powerful, unjust force," Nasr says. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The Sunni branch, still most populous, holds greater power in most nations. They have different beliefs about who succeeded the prophet, Muhammad. The Shiites called their leaders imam, Ali being the first, Hussein the third. 570 C.E. Shia are also in the majority in Iraq and Bahrain. Sources of tension The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims are mainly expressed through different religious practices. The battle between the two groups still exists today. There are more than 1.5 billion Muslims and about 20% of them live in the Middle East and North Africa. It was followed by many people. The Silk Road Overview & Trade Items | What was the Silk Road? There are four major recognised schools of law (madhahib) today: Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Shafii. Shia Muslims constitute the majority of the Muslim populations in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain and Azerbaijan. Imamah also says that the Imam is not only the leader, but also a spiritual guide aware of divine knowledge. Shiites believe God took him into hiding, and he will come back at the end of time. Today the worlds 1.6 billion Muslims all agree that Allah is the only God and Muhammad his messenger. The revolutions in the region have pitted Shia governments against Sunni Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who have supported their co-religionists with cash. The original split between Sunnis and Shiites occurred soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, in the year 632. It's rooted in the word Sunnah meaning tradition. Accessed June 03, 2023. https://www.diffzy.com/article/difference-between-shia-and-sunni. It is the symbolism of Hussein's death that holds so much spiritual power for Shiites. From the perspective of an outsider it would seem as a purely political issue, but to us it is a religious one, as we believe Imam Ali (AS) was appointed by Allah . And it is a common practice among Muslims. All Muslims are guided by the Sunnah, but Sunnis stress its primacy. Sunnis are the majority in over 40 countries such as Syria, Turkey, South Asia, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Persian Gulf. Root of differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims >Earliest differences stem all the way back to the death of the prophet and the question of who should gain control after his death. Over time, the caliphs came to be seen mainly as political rulers, while the scholars (ulama) who had knowledge of matters of faith came to be viewed as religious authorities and interpreters. The emergence of these two sub-groups can be traced way back to 623 A.D, when the Islamic Prophet Muhammad died. Shia Muslims make up 15-20% of the Muslim population globally. They are the majority of the Shiites in the world today. The Shiites are concentrated in Iran, southern Iraq and southern Lebanon. And there are some other beliefs followed by Shia Muslims are-, Some Distinctive Holidays of Shia Muslims. "He becomes the crystallizing force around which a faith takes form and takes inspiration.". Sunnis focus on following the Prophet's example whereas Shi'a focus on the lineage of Muhammad's family through a series of Imams. Abu-Bakr, the closest companion of "Prophet Muhammad", is the successor of Prophet Muhammad as the leader of the Muslim community. Do Russians really hate the West? Shia Muslims believed that the power should remain in the family of Prophet Muhammad. The Sunnis prevailed and chose a successor to be the first caliph. Likewise, the foundational alliance between Wahhabism and the rulers of Saudi Arabia has seen Shia movements marginalised there and Shia communities in Iraq have been subjected to extreme violence at the hands of the Sunni ISIS. Puzzle to Test Your IQ: Only 1 out 5 people can tell which Cat is different in the picture within 10 secs? Sunni and Shia population distribution map. In the Quran, Allah has also raised Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim) and his descendants above all mankind (Quran 3:33-34; 4:54). Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Sunni believes in the concept of an afterlife, the final judgement, and they can meet God through indirect ways. Do Russians really hate the West? And they believed that Ali should be the successor of the Prophet, who was the closest relative of the Prophet. With that in mind, it is perhaps not surprising that the differences between these communities are frequently blamed for tension between Muslims not just in the Middle East but elsewhere too. Here is a primer on the basic differences between Sunni and Shia Islam. Editor's Note: Back in 2007, NPR reported on the Shiite-Sunni split that was contributing to conflicts in many parts of the Muslim world, including Iraq. But . Indeed in some countries, sectarian conflict is more likely to occur between different Sunni groups than between Sunni and Shia communities. People from every corner of the world visit Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the hajj during the time of Ramadan (the holy month in the Islam Calendar). Sunni Muslims give zakat to the poor directly. Sunni and Shia Muslim Differences: Shia and Sunni Muslims share much of the fundamental beliefs and practices of religion, they differ on doctrine, law, ritual, and religious organizations.. Shiites predominate where there is oil in Iran, in Iraq and in the oil-rich areas of eastern Saudi Arabia as well. While Shiite nominee Ali eventually became Islam's fourth leader, he too fell victim to the Shiite and Sunni struggle for control. Further afield, tensions between Sunni and Shia communities are reported to be on the increase in diasporic communities in the West. Todays Wordle 714: Hints and Clues of 3 June with Solution for Word Puzzle Game. Ali became the fourth caliph of Islam only after two successors of Abu Bakar were assassinated. They form the foundation of Muslim life and consist of Shahada (faith), Salah (prayer), Zakat (giving), Sawm (fasting), and Hajj (pilgrimage). Over the centuries, several branches of the Shia have emerged, primarily as a result of disagreements on succession. The holy book Quran is known as the book of everything, i.e., the book that has all the answers in the world. When his son, Hussein, made attempts to regain power, he was brutally beheaded by a Sunni leader. It is also believed that companions were true believers, as they were given the task to compile the Qur'an. Sunni Muslims have to pray 5 times a day. Reunification of China in the Tang Dynasty, Alexander the Great & Hellenism | History, Beliefs & Characteristics. They focus on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Jessica has taught junior high history and college seminar courses. The Shiite view is that the 12 Imams inherited their positions as exclusive Muslim leaders. A fresco painting from the Chehel Sotun Pavillion in Isfahan, Iran, depicts Persian warfare during the Safavid dynasty period. Sunni and Shia Muslim Differences: Shia and Sunni Muslims share much of the fundamental beliefs and practices of religion, they differ on doctrine, law, ritual, and religious organizations. Islam's split was cemented when Alis son Hussein was killed in 680 in Karbala (modern Iraq) by the ruling Sunni caliphs troops. These two groups, unable to reconcile, developed into Sunni and Shiite branches, respectively. To put this into perspective, there are approximately 1.6 billion Sunni Muslims, and just shy of 200 million Shia . Similarly, the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam share much of their religious history and integral beliefs while fervidly disagreeing on matters of religious practice. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. In fact, in countries where populations and access to power are relatively equal, they have tended to live together peacefully. As stated above, serious quarrelling ensued due to their disagreement about worthy candidates. Where are they concentrated? Only eagle-eyed people can spot 3 differences between the pictures of the Japanese man within 12 seconds! A Shiite Muslim holds a picture of historic Shiite leader Imam Hussein during an anti-American demonstration in Baghdad, May 29, 2003. Updated: January 10, 2022 | Original: July 31, 2019 copy page link Mustafagull/Getty Images Though the two main sects within Islam, Sunni and Shia, agree on most of the fundamental beliefs and. Use the citation below to add this article to your bibliography: "Difference Between Shia and Sunni." The Iranian Revolution led to the rise of a Shia theocracy which has since supported Shias in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain as well as supporting Hezbollah (Lebanon), Hamas (Gaza), and the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Heres a primer on the differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims. More than 260 dead in India three-train crash, Mystery of spy deaths in Italian boat accident. Shia followed Ali and they wanted him to be the successor of the Muslims, as he was from Prophet's family. Another lesser known branch of Islam is Ibadi. | 8 Difference Between Shia and Sunni Edited by Diffzy | Updated on: May 28, 2023 All Categories Why read @ Diffzy Our articles are well-researched We make unbiased comparisons We are a one-stop platform for finding differences and comparisons We compare similar terms in both tabular forms as well as in points Introduction If you talk about people then you would understand that there are differences in thoughts, so the moment, Prophet died. The verse mentions that the family of Abraham including his son Ishmael and grandson Jacob are chosen by Allah.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'diffzy_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Verses 3.33 and 3.34 of the Quran says:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diffzy_com-netboard-2','ezslot_16',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-netboard-2-0'); "Indeed, God chose Adam and Noah and the family of Abraham and the family of 'Imran over the world Descendants, some of them from others. How many of each sect are there? Though the two main sects within Islam, Sunni and Shia, agree on most of the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam, a bitter split between the two goes back some 14 centuries. The tradition in this case refers to practices based on what the Prophet Muhammad said, did, agreed to or condemned. There are many notable examples of modern-day Sunni-Shiite tensions. Sunni life is guided by four schools of legal thought, each of which strives to develop practical applications of the Sunnah. The Ithna Asharis are the largest group and believe that Muhammad's religious leadership, spiritual authority and divine guidance were passed on to 12 of his descendants, beginning with Ali, Hassan and Hussein. 2023 BBC. Why is a top British morning TV show in crisis? lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. And both groups follow the five pillars of Islam, which all Muslims are obligated to fulfil. Math riddles with answers: Many are stumped by these tricky math riddles. The separation of Sunni and Shia is as old as Islam. "There is definitely an emerging struggle between Sunni and Shia to define not only the pattern of local politics, but also the relationship between the Islamic world and the West," says Daniel Brumberg of Georgetown University, author of Reinventing Khomeini: The Struggle for Reform in Iran. The violence and war split the small community of Muslims into two branches that would never reunite. 2023 Knowledge WOW - All Rights Reserved "Shiites constitute 80 percent of the native population of the oil-rich Persian Gulf region," notes Yitzhak Nakash, author of The Shi'is of Iraq. The profession of faith (Shahada)- Shia Muslims have three clauses of Shahada, which address fundamental Islamic beliefs, such as. Sunni is the largest denomination, whereas Sufi is a sub-division. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our. The Reformation: Religious Wars in Europe | History, Facts & Significance, The Byzantine Empire | Religion, Characteristics & Icons. The origin of the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims lies in a dispute over who should be the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632 AD. Much of this conflict is perpetuated by attempts to gain power, control valuable resources, and obtain new territory. The conflict stemming from the Sunni and Shia split continues to permeate relations between Muslim states. SUNNI and Shiite Islam are the two major denominations of the religion. The major Shia school of jurisprudence is the Ja'fari or Imm school. Five Pillars of Islam Both groups also accept the five pillars of Islam (Shahada, the declaration that There is no God but God, and Muhammad is His messenger.; Salah, prayer; Zakat, charitable giving; Sawm, fasting in the month of Ramadan; Hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca. Diffzy.com, 2023. Both follow the path of Islam. They emphasize visiting the shrines of imams in Iran and Iraq. Shia dominated governments in Iraq and Syria have committed violence against Sunni populations. After Hazrat Ali died in 661 CE, the first Muslim dynasty of caliphs from one family began, known as the Umayyad caliphate. These five pillars include a profession of faith, prayer, alms, fasting, and pilgrimage. In countries with large Shia communities, Shia often make up the poorest sections of society and see themselves as oppressed and discriminated against. By the year 1500, Persia was a seat of Sunni Islamic learning, but all that was about to change with the arrival of Azeri conquerors. To put this into perspective, there are approximately 1.6 billion Sunni Muslims, and just shy of 200 million Shia . There is no proper hierarchy among Sunni Muslims. Islam split into two divisions right after the Prophet Muhammad's death in 632. And they form a significant population of Muslims in Iraq, Iran, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Yemen. All rights reserved. Of these, around 85% are Sunni and 15% are Shia. Sunni rulers continued to monopolise political power, while the Shia lived in the shadow of the state, looking instead to their imams, the first twelve of whom were descended directly from Ali, for guidance. Women walk in the courtyard of the Jamkaran mosque outside the holy city of Qom, Iran, in 2006. There are around 1.9 billion Muslims in the world. The imams have taken on a spiritual significance that no clerics in Sunni Islam enjoy. But . Both refer to the branch of Islam that believes only blood relatives of the Prophet Muhammad are worthy to be religious leaders. Reprinted from 'The Shia Revival' by Vali Nasr. This means that the Imams from Prophet Muhammads descendants are among those whom Allah has raised in status. Members of the two sects have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices. According to Sunnis, support for this view is also mentioned in the Qur'an. One such saying is, I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate. Sunni leaders, called Caliphs, are elected through voting while Shiite leaders, or Imams, are direct descendants of Muhammad. There are many religions across the globe. The divide originated with a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Islamic faith he introduced. These caliphs were Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Uthman, and Hazrat Ali. Differences between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims Within Islam, there are two main denominations, called Sunni and Shi'a. Sunnis believed that Abu Bakr, a close friend and companion of Muhammad, should become the new leader. One of the most crucial differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims is the importance that the Shiites give to Ali, whom the Sunni do not recognize as being the prophet's rightful successor.. The 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is said to have disappeared from a cave below a mosque in 878. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diffzy_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Shia is also known as Shiites; one of the two branches of the Muslim community. Seljuk Turks Significance & Historical Battles | Who were the Seljuk Turks? Here, tradition refers to the practises based on what the Prophet Mohammad said, did, agreed and condemned. Difference between Shia and Sunni in tabular form, Differences between Shia and Sunni in points, https://www.diffzy.com/article/difference-between-shia-and-sunni. Shia Muslims believe that the successor must be someone from the family of the prophet Muhammad. - Definition & Examples, Crisis Prevention in Business: Steps & Examples, How to Avoid Common Business & Employment Lawsuits, Using Advertising: Advantages & Disadvantages, Backmasking of Songs: Psychology & Examples, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Since then, protests in Pakistan, war between Iraq and Iran, insurgency following the Gulf War, Taliban massacres, Al-Qaeda attacks, the assassination of the Lebanese Prime Minister, the bombing of an Iraq shrine, the murder of a Syrian commander, discrimination in Indonesia, rebellion in Sanaa, and crisis in Qatar have demonstrated the instability caused by Sunni-Shiite conflict. They claimed the Prophet had anointed Ali, his cousin and son-in-lawand became known as the Shia, a contraction of "shiaat Ali", the partisans of Ali. CLASHES between Islam's two big sects, the Sunni and the Shia, take place across the Muslim world. Their leaders also often seem to be in competition. In the Middle East, Sunnis make up 90% or more of the populations of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. They believed that the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, and the fourth caliph of the Islamic empire, Ali deserved to be the successor and Islamic political leader. Most of the Islamic community wanted to elect a successor from among Muhammad's closest associates. triggered intense debate. Find The Mistake: Only 5% of people will be able to find the mistake in the office desk picture in 6 seconds! In 2013 one demonstration led by the Sunni preacher Anjem Choudary in the UK included banners which proclaimed that Shia were the enemies of Allah. Explore the Sunni vs. Shiite divide in Islam. (n.d.). Although Islam is now considered a major world religion, the faith . Sunni believes in the concept of an afterlife, the final judgement, and they can meet God through indirect ways. There were approximately 1.8 billion Muslims globally in 2017, making up around 25 per cent of the population. VideoFive ways to stay as healthy as the Dutch, Why the city that never sleeps is slowly sinking. They share the Shia belief that God will not show himself on Judgment Day. Those who followed the Prophets closest companion (Abu Bakr) became known as Sunni (the followers of the Prophets example Sunnah). The divide between Sunnis and Shia is the largest and oldest in the history of Islam. They do not have any significant religious authority. Sunni extremists frequently denounce Shia as heretics who should be killed. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. However, some beliefs vary depending on. After the death of Prophet Mohammad in 632 A.D., a strong disagreement among the followers of Islam emerged on who should succeed Prophet Mohammad as the leader of the Islamic Community. Then, the religious practices, figures, traditions, and theology are all different for both Shia and Sunni. Members of the two sects have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices. Shia followers believe that their prophet Muhammad chose Ali ibn Abi Talib, his son-in-law, as successor. They believe religious leaders should be related to the Prophet Muhammad by blood. 'There's no one way to be autistic' Video, Five ways to stay as healthy as the Dutch. War erupted when Ali became caliph, and he too was killed in fighting in the year 661 near the town of Kufa, now in present-day Iraq. But the split remained and would, in the second half of the 20th century, turn out to be one of the most important factors in the upheavals that have ravaged the Middle East. Sat. Sunni means the individual or a group who follows the path and tradition of the Prophet. All Muslims agree that Muhammad Ibn Abdullah was chosen by God, or Allah, to become Islam's founding prophet. Sunnis consider the caliphs as the immediate successors of the Prophet. Both groups follow the same five pillars of Islam but follow them differently. The lines that divide Muslims in the Middle East today depend on politics as much as religion. Sunnis and Shiites have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices. The name Shia comes from a movement Shiat Ali, meaning the Party of Ali. The Shia also strive to live according to the sunna, or example of Prophet Muhammad, as interpreted by the teachings of their hereditary Imams. Ali was assassinated in 661 after a five-year caliphate that was marred by civil war. Others exclusively considered Muhammad's blood relatives as worthy leaders. In the Middle East a potent mix of religion and politics has sharpened the divide between Iran . It is also helpful in understanding tensions between communities not only in the Middle East but in the West too. Despite generations of antagonism, Sunnis and Shiites have maintained many aspects of core Islamic beliefs. By now it has been very clear that both groups are Muslims but their beliefs are a little different. Understanding the basic differences and similarities between Sunni and Shia Islam is an essential step towards basic religious literacy in a world where ignorance of major religions is a significant disadvantage. The most notable result of 7th-century succession disputes is the creation of Islam's two distinct branches: Sunni and Shiite. While Sufi believes in direct connection to God by adopting the state of Fana. She has been a classroom teacher for more than 16 years and currently works at an international baccalaureate middle school located in Houston, TX. In light of the current fighting in Iraq, which is along sectarian lines, NPR is republishing the series. The beliefs started to contradict the thoughts of being one. Later it was buried there. There are people, who are not even aware of this concept. In countries which have been governed by Sunnis, Shia tend to make up the poorest sections of society. The Shiite selected Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, as leader. They perform all prayers separately. Stay updated with latest from the.ismaili, This is the official website of the Ismaili Muslim Community. Historically, Sunni Muslims believed that Abu Bakr was the rightful successor, while Shiite, or Shia, Muslims thought it should have been Ali ibn Abi Talib. The Shiite, an Islamic minority group, are known to be more extreme in their beliefs than their Sunni counterparts. Overall Islam is followed all over the world. While Sufi believes in direct connection to God by adopting the state of 'Fana'. In early Islamic history, the Shia were a movement - literally "Shiat Ali" or the "Party of Ali". While some believed that the successor must be chosen by consensus, others believed that only Prophets descendants must lead the new faith. They follow the five ritualistic pillars of Islam, including Ramadan, the month of fasting, and share a holy book, the Koran. Muslim are divided into two subgroups, i.e., Shia and Sunni. hide caption. They also follow Imam's guidance, which is essential in their religious matters.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'diffzy_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_13',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); For the adherents of Shia Islam, this certitude is implicit in Quran (the holy book of Islam) and history also states the same. They combine the midday and afternoon prayers, as well as evening and night prayers. The Sunni and Shiite split dates back to the Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 A.D., when differing opinions on who should succeed him sparked violent disputes. VideoFive ways to stay as healthy as the Dutch, Why the city that never sleeps is slowly sinking. And probably everyone must know who is Ali, as we have discussed above.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diffzy_com-sky-4','ezslot_21',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-sky-4-0'); Let us come back to the discussion that what Shia Muslims have given to history.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'diffzy_com-sky-3','ezslot_20',141,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-diffzy_com-sky-3-0'); After the death of Prophet Muhammad In 632 CE, a dispute about who should succeed the Prophet. "In the 10th century," says Nasr, "the 12th Shiite Imam went into occultation. Start you search now Diffzy is a one-stop platform for finding differences between similar terms, quantities, services, products, technologies, and objects in one place. Every major religion has different branches, such as the Christian denominations of Catholicism, Protestantism, and Lutheranism. They live in different parts of the world and speak many different languages. Kim Knott and Matthew Francis put a few of the key issues in context. This denomination pre-dates Sunni and Shia and is considered a highly orthodox version of Islam. Today, many conflicts in the region have strong sectarian overtones. "Why has there been such a long and protracted disagreement and tension between these two sects?" Sufi can be both Sunni as well as Shia. Abu Bakrs backers won out, though Ali did briefly rule as the fourth caliph, the title given to Muhammads successors. Shiites gradually became the glue that held Persia together and distinguished it from the Ottoman Empire to its west, which was Sunni, and the Mughal Muslims to the east in India, also Sunni. 2023 BBC. Their Imams are central figures and leaders of the community in Shia belief, they are the perfect manifestation of God. Two of the earliest caliphs were murdered. Our platform features differences and comparisons, which are well-researched, unbiased, and free to access. This is partly because the Shias, ever mindful of their minority status, retreated. 'There's no one way to be autistic' Video, Five ways to stay as healthy as the Dutch. Typically, Sunnis have been described as more traditional in their practices while the Shiites' strict religious hierarchy is seen as more extreme. The main difference between the two branches is their contradicting beliefs on succession after the Prophet Muhammad died. Their fierce opposition, as well as their long and complicated historical past, will be explained in this lesson. Prophet declared Ali as the heir and successor. A report by the Pew Research Centre, a think-tank, found that 40% of Sunnis do not consider Shia to be proper Muslims. This is strengthening Sunni assertiveness and making the Shia feel more threatened than usual. According to Shia Muslims, this event Prophet Muhammad invited his relatives to a meal (known as the Feast of Dhul Asheera) during which he gave the pronouncement. However, Sunnis reject this idea as they do not consider hereditary "imamate" as part of the Islamic faith, instead seeing all prophets recognised by the religion as being divinely ordained. Sunnis are formally known as Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jamaa or the people of the Prophets way and the community. The term Sunni derives from the followers of the sunna, which are the sayings and actions of the Prophet. Read about our approach to external linking. Islam & Sharia Law History & Culture | What is Sharia Law? During Ramadan, they break their fast through dates and milk. asks Ray Takeyh, author of Hidden Iran: Paradox and Power in the Islamic Republic. There are around 1.9 billion Muslims in the world. The differences . They are 15% of the remaining Muslim population around the globe. Miracles and signs followed him, manifesting to his followers his close ties with Allah. Here is a list of differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims: There are more Sunni Muslims than Shia Muslims; Sunni Muslims are estimated to make up around 85% of the Muslim community, whilst Shia Muslims only make up around 15%. Sunni is another branch of the Muslim community. Sunnis make up the majority of the Muslim population across the world. Now finding differences and comparisons is easy. The majority of the community believed in a democratic election in order to install a new leader. The Umayyads ruled over the Muslim world until 750 CE. Read about our approach to external linking. A smaller group thought that someone from his family should take up his mantle.
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