What is the political difference between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims?

Answer 1

The main difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims is their belief surrounding who should have succeeded the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD. 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.

Answer 2

Answer 1

The major difference is historical. The Shiitesdid not agree on the elected Caliphs (who followed Prophet Muhammad after his death). They believed that the Caliphs should only be within Prophet Muhammad descendants and family. Accordingly, they were supporting Ali Ibn Abu Taleb (Prophet cousin and the husband of his daughter Fatima) to be the first Caliph. However, they didn't protest against the elected Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Omar, and Othman) and even Ali, himself, was good supporter and adviser to the three Caliphs until he was elected as the fourth Caliph.

Both Sunnis and Shiites are Muslims. No one has the right to expel anyone out of Islam and to consider him/her a Kafir (unbeliever) so far:

• he/she witness that no god Except one God (Allah) with no partner and that Muhammad is his messenger and prophet, and that
• he/she doesn't deny intentionally any of the Islam five pillars.

As for Sunnis and Shiites:

• They, both, believe that No God except one and only one God, the Creator, with no partner, no father, no son, no companion, no associate, and no resemblance and that prophet is His messenger and prophet.
• They both believe in God Angels, all God prophets, all God holy book, the Day of Judgment, and destiny.
• They both believe in the five Pillars of Islam. They both face the direction of Kaaba when praying and both require the Hajj pilgrimage.
• They pray in any mosque regardless the praying leader is Sunni or Shiite.
• They may differ in some minor details of rituals but these details are not critical to neither the Shiites nor the Sunnis.

Today there are up to 260 groups or schools in Islam that are in two main categories of Shia and Sunni. However all these groups are not so widely different as the Orthodox and Catholic Christians for example. The conflict between Shia and Sunnis has been always amplified and agitated by world Imperialism and westerners to prevent Islam from spreading in the world and to get control over Islamic countries. Some of this negativity has corrupted some Shia and Sunnis to believe that their beliefs are dramatically opposed, when in fact the differences are small and not worthy of Takfir (calling someone a blasphemer).

Specific Differences

Imamat or Leadership: Shia and Sunni mainly have a conflict on Imamat (leadership).

The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 C.E., and the question of who was to take over the Imamat (leadership) of the Muslim nation. Sunnis, the majority, believe that the first four caliphs, Mohammed's successors, rightfully took his place as the leaders of Islam. They recognize the heirs of the four caliphs as legitimate religious leaders. These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War.

The Shia say the Imamat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and only God can select leader for people whereas the Sunnis say Imamat is not part of Islam and the leader can be selected by people by any method like Shura (for example for Abu Bakr) or by will of previous leader (for example for Omar) or by people (for example for Ali) provided he is capable of performing the job. Shia believe after death of the Prophet (Mohammed), God selected the prophet's successor who should be the political leader of Muslim community and people cannot and do not the right to select such an individual.

Self-Identification: Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader of the Umma (Islamic Community) should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions [of the Prophet]."

The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).

Prayer Styles: Shia pray 5 times a day just like Sunnis but usually do the second and third prayers and fourth and fifth prayers together. Thus, it may seem they do only 3 prayers a day. There are some differences in details of prayer like genuflecting (for Shia should be on a stone or part of earth and for the Sunnis it should be on carpet or floor ).

Doctrines of Karbala: Shia doctrines have their roots in Battle Karbala.

When tragedy of Karbala happened most of Iranians understood that there were two different interpretations of Islam that could not both be true. So, most of Iranians became shia and followers of "Ahl al-Bayt" and forgive their lives for them like what they did in Iranian Revolution and Iran-Iraq War.

Hadith Collections: Shia Muslims have at least 120,000 Hadith (sayings) from The Fourteen Infallibles that is the base of Shia Islam along with Qur'an. Sunni Hadith collections are much smaller as they do not contain volumes from people who lived after the Prophet. Sunni collections also differ based on the School of Sunni Islam. Abu-Hanifa, Ibn Hanbal, Ash-Shafi'i, and Ibn Annas of the Hanafi, Hanbali, Shafi'i, and Maliki Schools each have their own collections.

The Imams and Infallibles: Sunnis do not believe in any of this. However, Shia believe according to "Hadith of the two weighty things" The Fourteen Infallibles are the only valid interpreters of Quran and sayings of them are from God because they are Representatives of God in earth and they have inherited divine knowledge of prophet. Theses individuals are the 12 Imams, the Prophet and his daughter Fatimah Zahra (sa). All of them are without impurity and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything. (This knowledge is from God according to His will and is not absolute knowledge. Absolute knowledge is only for God and they still do not know many things, but they know anything human may need to know.) They never die and they hear all sayings and even thoughts of all humans after their death by permission of God. They are intermediates between God and human.

Shi'ites do not accept that the Imam is to be only a political leader but they believe that they are literally 'manifestations of God', they are sinless, infallible and the bringers of true understanding to all humanity. They are referred to within the Shi'ite tradition as being masum, that is, free from error or sin.

Shia believe that the 12th Imam (Imam Mahdi S.A.) is alive and because people have killed all 11 Imams before him. He is in hiding like Jesus S.A. and will rise with Jesus S.A. when people become ready and want to accept his leadership. All 11 Imams have been killed and during their life they all have been in prison or under hard control of government to avoid them having any political activity.

They never had enough serious followers to allow them to attain political power. Among them only the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq was relatively free on account of the freedom afforded during the transition of power between the Umayyads and Abbassids. He is primarily known in the West to have taken part in scientific activities, established a university, and had students from all over the world. Westerners know him as a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. He was also the teacher of the famous chemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān (Geber), and of Abū Ḥanīfa, the founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence. He never wanted be a famous man and only shared his knowledge with those who sought knowledge. Some researchers consider his teachings the root cause of the Renaissance.

Positions on the Mahdi: The Mahdi, according to Shia, will bring about the Kingdom of God on Earth after an apocalyptic battle between the forces of Islam (those who believe in God) and the rest of the world. Sunni Muslims also accept Mahdi and his worldwide leadership as Caliph of God on Earth at end of world, but do not accept the Shia teaching that this person is the twelfth Imam. There is a famous Hadith from prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Mahdi in hiding is like sun behind cloud, he is hidden from people but people receive his benefits.

Shia Muslims say some faithful believers have connection with Mahdi and use his knowledge and at least 1000 persons have had a connection and conversation with Mahdi during his period of hiding but anyone who may have a relation with Mahdi S.A. should keep it secret and not declare it in public until death.

Seafood Consumption: Most schools of Sunni Islam permit the eating of any form of seafood. Shiites prohibit the consumption of any seafood which does not accord with the Old Testament requirement of having "fins and scales".

More Information on the Historical Circumstances of the Split

Shiite Muslims believe that ruling the Muslims is the divine right of Prophet Mohammad's (Peace be upon hin)family i.e. Imam Hussain who died in Kirbela, Iraq resisting to accept the Yazid the Son of Amir Muawiyah as the rightful ruler.

After prophet Mohammad (PBUH) demise Abu Baker was enthroned by Muslims though a small group dissented as they wanted Ali, the nephew and son in law of the prophet to be the ruler. Ali accepted Abu Baker About 6 months later and then remained a loyal assistant. After death of Abu Baker, Omar was enthroned as Abu Baker had announced before his death. Ali remained a chief Aid of Abu Baker. After Omar, Usman was elected as the ruler through a popular vote...as Muslims voted while going for the morning prayer. In the last days of Usman's reign anarchy broke out but Ali and his 2 sons Hasan and Hussain protected Usman till the last minute. After Usman was assassinated Ali accepted the leadership of Muslims on the pretext that he would avenge Usman's death.

Before Ali could bring the killers of Usman to justice a cousin of Usman Muawiyah got impatient and declared indepedance. After Ali's assasination his elder son Hasan was elected by his followers as a ruler but Hasan after negotiation for Muslims unity gave up leadership for Amir Muawiyah.

Refer to question below for more information.

More Information on Shiite Groups and the Twelfth Imam

The main groups under the Shi'ite umbrella are the Zaydiyyah or Fivers, the Isma'iliyyah or Seveners and the Imamiyyah or Twelvers. The numbers five, seven and twelve refer to the last authorised interpreter of the law or Imam that each group accepts. Of the three the Twelvers are the biggest & it was in 931 that the Twelfth Imam disappeared.

The disappearance of the Twelfth Imam was a seminal event in the history of these Shi'ite Muslims. According to R. Scott Appleby, a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, "Shi'ite Muslims, who are concentrated in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, [believe they] had suffered the loss of divinely guided political leadership" at the time of the Imam's disappearance. Not "until the ascendancy of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1978" did they believe that they had once again begun to live under the authority of a legitimate religious figure.

More Information on the Shiite Claim of Divinely Mandated Authority

In order to buttress the claim that only Divine Authority could choose the next Caliph, the Shia refer to many verses of Qura'n like: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) or "O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth" (Quran 38:26) also other verses.

Shia believe such verses mean that only God can select an Islamic political leader (Caliph) and there is no mention in Qur'an that people have the right to select a leader. Shura is not allowed to be used for selecting leader and the Prophet himself always selected leaders of wars and other leaders by command of God.

In Shia Islam, the Caliphs after prophet are 12 infallible Imams who have inherited divine knowledge of Prophet.

Shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph by people valid because God did not select him. They believe God ordered prophet to declare people that Ali is selected as successor of prophet and prophet did this mission many times during his prophet-hood and mainly in Ghadir event after last Hajj of his life at a 3-4 hour speech in front of 120,000 Muslims at Ghadir in hot desert after 2 days stop of long caravan for gathering and 3 days after speech for congratulations and homage of Muslims to Ali.

Islam at that time had high power in world and Some companions had high interest in leadership position after prophet. Muslims knew that it is the final Hajj of prophet (predicted by prophet) and were going along with prophet to hear what prophet says at end of his life.

The Shia believe the Ghadir event is the most important event of Islam and is mentioned in Qur'an in many verses like "Today" (اليوم) in verse 5:3 of Qur'an is the day of Ghadir. Or Verse 5:67: "(O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith)" is revealed at Ghadir day and is about declaring political and spiritual leadership of Ali S.A. after prophet.

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims accept the Events at Ghadir event but have different interpretations. Some Sunni writers tried to reject the event of Ghadir as declare of leadership of Ali S.A. and said at Ghadir prophet only wanted to say Ali S.A. is my friend and no one should bother him.

Ali S.A. had 3 different missions to Yemen by prophet during 10 years and in 2 of them some companions of prophet had some conflicts with Ali S.A. and prophet said some sayings about Ali S.A. to solve conflicts and some sunni writers have mixed stories of missions of Ali S.A. to Yemen with story of Ghadir to prove Ghadir event is not about Leadership of Ali and is not important.

Shia scholars believe some Sunni writers who were related to Kigns have changed and deviated historical evidences about political leadership of Ali S.A. in old historical books and republished them to destroy evidences of leadership of Ali from old Sunni books.

The famous Shia book Al-Ghadir (الغدير) by Allameh Amini is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Events written all from Sunni historical books by referring to 100,000 Sunni books and full reading of 10,000 Sunni books. Allameh Amini is a famous Shia scholar and spent 40 years of his life in traveling to access original old Sunni books in libraries in different countries to write this 20 volume book only from Sunni books and not using any Shia book. Some Sunni scholars tried to reply this book but then said if we want to reply this book we should first destroy all Sunni books.

Answer 2

The division between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims originated in a dispute over who should succeed Muhammad. Those on the Sunni side believed that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr,( ofcourse Ali was closer and more capable and he was the first muslim man) was elected the new leader and became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet." By contrast, those on the Shi'a side felt that leadership should pass through the divine message . The Shi'a Muslims believe leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali as the new leader after Muhammad died. Shia Muslims have never accepted the authority the leaders elected by the Sunni Muslims. They believe they are following a line of Imams which have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The term "Shi'a" is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali."

Over the years this division over leadership also lead to some differences over religious doctrines. Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims claim that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary succession of spiritual leaders, and no basis for the veneration or intercession of "saints". Sunni Muslims believe that leadership of the community is not granted by God or heredity, but rather based on trust earned with the community and so it may be granted or taken away by the people themselves.

The Shi'a Muslims believe that leadership should have passed through divine message and do not recognize leaders elected in the Sunni side of Islam, they also do not recognize any writings or pronouncements of those elected leaders as being authoritative. Consequently there are some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences are most prominent in the details of some of the most visible aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.

Political and ethnic rivalries are layered over the religious schism between the two types of Islam. Most Muslims are Sunni but Shi'a Muslims are the majority in Iran (around 90%), which is ethnically Persian rather than the ethnic Arab group that predominates in most of the rest of the Middle East. Their geographic neighbor Iraq is also majority Shi'a (about 70%). Saddam Hussein was Sunni and sought to suppress Shi'a Islam while he was in power which added to religious tensions between the two groups. Other large concentrations of Shi'a Muslims are present in Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Lebanon. Note that Lebanon has had a recent history of sectarian violence between the different religious groups with major presence in the country, i.e. Sunni, Shi'a, and Christian, as each group maneuvers for political influence and Syria has backed the Sunni faction in the disputes.

Answer 3

The Islamic religion was founded by Muhammed in the seventh century. In 622 he founded the first Islamic state, a theocracy in Medina, a city in western Saudi Arabia located north of Mecca. There are two major branches of the religion he founded.

The largest group, called the Sunnis believe that the first four caliphs--Muhammed's successors--rightfully took his place as the leaders of Islam. They recognize the heirs of the four caliphs as legitimate religious leaders. These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War.

The smaller of the major groups are the Shi'ites. There are a number of subdivisions under the 'umbrella' of 'Shi'a' and although they differ in the details all of them believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Muhammed.

The Shi'ites call these successors Imams. Shi'ites do not accept that the Imam is to be only a political leader but they believe that they are literally 'manifestations of God', they are sinless, infallible and the bringers of true understanding to all humanity. They are referred to within the Shi'ite tradition as being masum, that is, free from error or sin. The last Imam, the Mahdi, is believed not to have died but to be in hiding and Shi'ites believe that he will appear at the end of time in order to bring about the victory of the Shi'a faith (see third paragraph below).

The main groups under the Shi'ite umbrella are the Zaydiyyah or Fivers, the Isma'iliyyah or Seveners and the Imamiyyah or Twelvers. The numbers five, seven and twelve refer to the last authorised interpreter of the law or Imam that each group accepts. Of the three the Twelvers are the biggest & it was in 931 that the Twelfth Imam disappeared.

This was a seminal event in the history of these Shi'ite Muslims. According to R. Scott Appleby, a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame, "Shi'ite Muslims, who are concentrated in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, [believe they] had suffered the loss of divinely guided political leadership" at the time of the Imam's disappearance. Not "until the ascendancy of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1978" did they believe that they had once again begun to live under the authority of a legitimate religious figure.

The other important concept in Shi'ite Islam concerning the Imam (regardless of whether he was the Fifth, the Seventh or the Twelfth) is that he will return. He is called the Mahdi and will bring about the Kingdom of God on earth after an apocalyptic battle between the forces of Islam and the rest of the world. [Note that other groups descended from Shi'ia Islam such as the Babis and Baha'is define the 'battle at the end of time' as a symbolic or metaphysical one rather than an actual battle.

Answer 4

Practice follow ideologies. Shiya and Sunni Islam are just different schools of thoughts within Islam. The instructions of the holy Quran are both physical and spiritual in nature. All the instructions of Islam are compulsory for a Muslim. While Shiya school of thought gives more priority to the spiritual instructions, the sunni school of thought prioritizes the physical instructions. Due to different priorities in the ideology, the practices are slightly different at various places.

"SHIA" Muslims are the followers of "Ali Ibn Talib" , the cousin & the son in law of Mohammed , the founder of Islam. They believe in 12 Imams , Priests of the Islamic religion , who lived in succession guiding the Shia Muslims {with the exception of the "mehdi" who they believe will incarnate @ the time of the 2nd coming of Christ" }. They have there own doctor , and peculiar customs and festivals.

Answer 5

"SUNNI" Muslims are followers of a doctrine that postulates the ways and the lessons of prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). Popularly in Islamic mythology , it is said that Allah {the God of the Muslims , gave the Koran to Prophet Mohammed , who then taught it to his followers} but also it is written , that the Koran was largely formed after the demise of Prophet Mohammed . By his followers , who began piecing together from human recollection , the lessons that Prophet Mohammed taught. Even though the Koran under the Caliph Uthman had been completed , the tradition of documenting stories , lessons , actions of Mohammed continued , this is called the "SUNNAH" , it is from there that Sunni Muslims derive there faction from.

Both Islamic schools or groups (called Sunnis and Shiites)agree upon basic Islam pillars and fundamentals. they differ on minor Islam and historical issues. These differences appeared only after prophet Muhammad death (not murder). Some people (who are called later Shiites) called for Muslim ruling to be within Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) family and descendants and accordingly Ali Ibn Abou Taleb should by the first Muslim ruler after prophet Muhammad (PBUH) death. While the majority (who are called later the Sunnis) elected Abou Bakr (Prophet Muhammad closer companion and the first man entered into Islam faith) as the first ruler. However, the Shiites were having very sound understanding and accepted the majority decision; even Ali (All be pleased with him) supported also Abou Bakr as a ruler and supported the following rulers (or Caliphs) Omar and Othman. Then Ali became the fourth Caliph or ruler.

Refer to question below for more related information.

Answer 6

The principle difference concerns whether the successsors of the Prophet should be genetically related to him or not. Mohammed had no male heir, but he did have a son-in-law, Ali. Those who championed Ali for the khalifship became the Shiites, the rest of Islam became the Sunni. (Sunnah means "tradition"; Shiia means "party")

Answer 7

Both sects believe in the basic tenets of Islam. The differences arose for political reasons.

When prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) died, there was debate about who should be the next leader of Muslims. The group now called Sunni supported Abu Bakr, who was the father of his favorite wife. The group now called Shia supported Ali, who was the husband of his favorite daughter.

Because these two groups developed separately, they disagree on some secondary matters. For example, Shia sometimes arrange the five daily prayers into blocks of three. Where Sunnis and Shias live together in the same city, everyone is praying at different times. Sunnis believe that Muhammad abolished muta(temporary marriage) but Shia still practice it.

Shia believe that their imam (always a descendant of Ali) is perfect and inerrant, which has led indirectly to the Shia assumption that they can pray at the tomb of a saint (similar to the way some Catholics pray through saints). Sunnis believe the Muslim community should be ruled by an elected caliph, who may sometimes make mistakes. There is currently no caliph in the world.

The Shias and sunnies have no very sharp differences. They have same basic belief except a few minor differences. The Shias claim that instead of first three Rightful Caliphs, the fourth Rightful Caliph Hazrat Ali (RAU) should have been chosen the First Caliph. The other differences are the creation of later people. The Sunni and Shia scholars have joined hands and sat together to solve the problems amicably. They have decided to tolerate each other and to avoid highlighting such matters as create hatred and enmity. May Allah Karim bless us with tolerance of all religions and all humans! A'meen

Answer 8

There is nothing called Sunni Islam or Shiite Islam. The religion per Qur'an revelation to prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is Islam. The Islam followers may differ is some issues and name themselves as Sunni or Shiite Muslims. It is to be recognized that the differences between the two groups are minor and represent side differences. The basic Islam beliefs are the same for Islamic groups or schools as well as they have the same holy book Qur'an, they have the same ritual worships of praying, fasting, pilgrimage (or Hajj), same direction when praying. It is to be emphasized that the persuasion of the west to deepen differences between Islamic different schools and agitate conflicts among them to help in implementing their policies of the creative disturbance will never succeed. The differences among Islamic schools are never the same as the Christian different denominations and sects. Refer to related question below.

The Shias and sunnies have the same basic beliefs except a few minor differences. The Shias claim that instead of first three Rightful Caliphs, the fourth Rightful Caliph Hazrat Ali (RAU) should have been chosen the First Caliph. The other differences are the creation of later people. The Sunni and Shia scholars have joined hands and sat together to solve the problems amicably. They have decided to tolerate each other and to avoid highlighting such matters as create hatred and enmity. May Allah Karim bless us with tolerance of all riligions and all humans! A'meen

The other difference is in the opinion of Imaamat. Shiats say that Imam must be appointed by God; that appointment may be known through the declaration of the Prophet or the preceding Imam. The Sunni scholars say that Imam (or Caliph, as they prefer to say) can be either elected, or nominated by the preceding Caliph, or selected by a committee, or may gain the power through a military coup (as was in the case of Muawiyah).

Shi'a scholars say that Imam must be sinless. The Sunni scholars (including Mutazilites) say that sinlessness is not a condition for leadership. Even if he is tyrant and sunk in sins (like in the case of Yazid, or Today's King Fahd), the majority of the scholars from the shools of Hanbali, Shafi'i, and Maliki discourage people to rise against that Caliph. They think that they should be presevered.

Answer 9

Shiats say that Imam must possess above all such qualities as knowledge, bravery, justice, wisdom, piety, love of God etc. The Sunni scholars say it is not necessary. A person inferior in these qualities may be elected in preference to a person having all these qualities of superior degree.

Shiats say that 'Ali was appointed by Allah to be the successor of the Prophet, and that the Prophet declared it on several occasions. More than one hundred of those occasions are recorded in the history. The Sunni scholars believe that the Prophet did not appoint anybody to be his successor. This is despite the fact that there are many traditions in the six authentic Sunni collections which support this assignment.

Answer 10

shiah believed in five principles such as prophecy , divine unity , resurrection , imamah or successors of the prophet and divine justice . it is only in the imamah and divine justice that shia and sunni differ . in the question of the imamate , it is the insistence on the esoteric function of the imam that distinguishes the shiite perspective from the sunni .

in the question of justice it is the emphasis upon this attribute as an intrinsic quality of the divine nature that is particular to shiism . we might say that in the esoteric formulation of Sunni theology,especialy as contained in Ash arism , there is an emphasis upon the will of God.whatever god will is just precisly because it is willed by god . and intelligence is a sense subordinated to this will and to the voluntarism which characterizes this form of theology.

in shiism the quality of justice is considered as innate to the divine nature .god cannot act in an unjust manner because it is his nature to be just .fa , him to be unjust would violate his own nature , Which is impossible .intelligence can judge the justness and unjustness of an act and this judgment is not completely suspended in favor of a pure voluntarism on the part of god . hence there is a greater emphasis upon intelligence in shiite theology and great enphasis upon will in scorn kalam ,or theology , at least in predominant asharite school .

shiism also differs sunnusm in its consideration of the means whereby the original message of the Quranic revelation reached the islamic community and thereby in certain aspects of the sacred history of Islam .there is no disagreement on the Quran and the prophet ., that is , on what constitutes the origin of the islamic religion .the difference in view begins in the period immediately following the death of the prophet .one might say that the personality of the prophet contained two dimensions which later to become crystallized into Sunnism and Shiism .each of these two schools was later to reflect back upon the life and the personality of the prophet solely from its own point of view ,thus living aside and forgetting and misconstruing the other dimension ecluded from its own perspective .for shiism the dry(in the alchemical sense) and austere aspect of the prophets personality as reflected in his successors in the Sunni world was equated with worldliness while his warm and compassionate dimension was emphasized as his whole personality and as the essence of the nature of the immams who were considered to be a continuation of him .for the vast majority of the islamic community the companions of the prophet represent the prophet's heritage and the channel through which his messge was transmitted to later generations .within the early community the companions occupied a favored position and among them the first four caliphs stood out as a distinct group .it is through the companions that the saying( Hadith ) and the manner of the living ( sunnah )of the prophet were transmited to the second generations of Muslims . shiism however concentrating on the question of the wilayah and insisting on the esoteric content of the prophetic message , saw in the Ali and the household of the prophet (ahi al -bayt),in its shiiate sense the sole channel through which the original message og islam was transmitted , although , paradoxically enough the majorty of descendants of the prophet belong to Sunnism and continue to do so until today.

all in all we can categorize these difference into two levels:one level lies in principles and other in interpreting of Quran .

first level:the five principles of religion as stated by shiism include:tawhid or belief in divine unity,nubuwwah or prophecy,maad or resurrection,imamah or the immamate:belief in the imams as successors of the prophet and Adl or Divine justice.in the Three bsic principles -unity, prophecy and resurrection-Sunnism and shiism agree.it ts only in the other two that they differ. in the question of the imamate it is the insistence on the esoteric function of of the imam that distinguishes the shiites perspective from the Sunni.in the question of Justice it is the emphasis placed upon this attribute as an intrinsic quality of the divine nature that is particular to shiism.we might say that in the esoteric formulation of Sunni theology,especially as contained in Asharism there is an emphasis upon the will of god .whatever god will is just precisely because it is willed by God.and intelligence is in a sense subordinate to this will and to the voluntarism which characterizes this form of theology.in shiism however , the quality of justice is considered as innate to the Divine Nature..God can not act in n unjust manner because it is His nature to be just.Fa,him to be unjust would violate His own nature,which is impossible.intelligence can judge the justness and unjustness of an act and this judgment is not completely suspended in favor of a pure voluntarism on the part of God.

second level:shiism also different in its consideration of the means whereby the original message of Quranic revelation reached the islamic community and thereby in certain aspects of the sacred history of islam.there is no disagreement on the Quran and the prophet.that is,on what constitutes the origin of the islamic religion.the difference in view begins with the period immediately following the death of the prophet.one might say that the personality of the prophet contained two dimensions which were later to become crystallized into Suunism and Shiism.each of this two schools was later to reflect back upon the life and personality of the prophet solely from its own point of view,thus leaving aside and forgetting or misconstruing the other dimension excluded from its own perspective.for shiism the dry (in the alchemical sense) and austere aspect of the personality as reflected in his successors in the Sunni world was equated with worldliness.while his warm and compassionate dimension was emphasized as his whole personality and as the essence of the nature of the imams,who were considered to be a continuation.

Sunnis(or ahlus sunna wal jama'ah)are Muslims .Shiites curse and swear a lot of the companions of Nabi Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ,They also made up some strange things like Mu'ta(temporary marriage) and things like cutting slits in their backs.They have deviated from the teachings of Nabi Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Answer 11

It is to be recognized the differences between Sunnis and Shiites never been as the differences between the Catholics and the Orthodox and the Protestant or other Christian denominations. Neiher the Sunnis have the right to expel any Shiite out of true Islam nor the Shiites have the right expel any Sunni out of true Islam so far: he/she witness that there is no god Except one God (Allah), who has no partner, no son, no father, no companion, no associate, and no equivalence and he/she witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is God prophet and messenger to whom God revealed the holy book Qur'an through the angel Jibril (or Gabriel), and

he/she doesn't deny intentionally any of the basic five pillars of Islam as instructed by prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him; even if they added other pillars to them.

As for Sunnis and Shiites, they, both:

• believe that there is no god except the one and only one God, the Creator with no partner, no father, no son, no companion, and no resemblance, and that the prophet is His messenger.
• believe in God's Angels, all Prophets sent from God, all of God's holy books, the Day of Judgment, and destiny.
• believe in the five Pillars of Islam.
• face the direction of Kaaba when praying.
• pray in any mosque regardless of whether the prayer leader is Sunni or Shi'ite.

They may differ in some minor details of rituals but these details are not critical to neither the Shiites nor the Sunnis.

All Muslims; although differ in minor side issues; are one unity and will never follow the exterior plans of the non Muslims who try their best to create conflicts among them to have stronger control on their mineral and energy resources and to bring them under their control and directions.

Answer 12

all in all we can categorize these difference into two levels:one level lies in principles and other in interpreting of Quran .

first level:the five principles of religion as stated by shiism include:tawhid or belief in divine unity,nubuwwah or prophecy,maad or ressurrection,imamah or the immamate:belief in the imams as successors of the prophet and Adl or Divine justice.in the Three bsic principles -unity, prophecy and resurrection-Suunnism and shiism agree.it ts only in the other two that they differ. in the question of the imamate it is the insistence on the esoteric function of of the imam that distingushes the shiites perspective from the Sunni.in the question of Justice it is the emphasis placed upon this attribute as an intrinsic quality of the divine nature that is particular to shiism.we might say that in the esotericformulation of Sunni theology,especially as contained in Asharism there is an emphasis upon the will of god .whatever god will is just precisely because it is willed by God.and intelligence is in a sense subordinate to this will and to the voluntarism which characterizes this form of theology.in shiism however , the quality of justice is considered as innate to the Divine Nature..God can not act in n unjust manner because it is His nature to be just.Fa,him to be unjust would violate His own nature,which is impossible.intelligence can judge the justness and injustness of an act and this judgment is not completely suspended in favor of a pure voluntarism on the part of God.

second level:shiism also different in its consideration of the means whereby the original message of Quranic revelation reached the islamic community and thereby in certain aspects of the sacred history of islam.there is no disagreement on the Quran and the prophet.that is,on what constitutes the origin of the islamic religion.the difference in view begins with the period immediately following the death of the prophet.one might say that the personality of the prophet contained two dimensions which were later to become crystallized into Suunism and Shiism.each of this two schools was later to reflect bck upon the life and personality of the prophet solely from its own point of view,thus leaving aside and forgetting or miscinstruing the other ddimension excluded from its own perspective.for shiism the dry (in the alchemical sense) and austere aspect of the pesonality as reflected in his successors in the Sunni world was equated with worliness.while his warm and compassionate dimevsion was emphasized as his whole personality and as the essence of the nature of the imams,who were considered to be a continuation.

Answer 13

According to my understading, the differences started due to a question about the succession; basically: Who should be the leader after Muhammad's death? One of the groups - the Shiites - said that Muhammad had passed the leadership to his son-in-law, Ali. The other group - the Sunnites - were the followers of another leader, who came to be known as the first caliph. Shia and Sunni have mostly same beliefs and both believe in fundamental beliefs of Islam. Today there is up to 260 sects in Islam that are in two main categories of shia and sunni.

the conflict of shia and sunni has been always amplified by world Imperialism to prevent Islam from gaining power.

Shia believes in Allah, prophet and all fundamentals of Islam.

Shia pray 5 times a day but usually do the 2, 3 and 4, 5 pray together and so may seem they do only 3 pray a day. there is some differences in details of pray like genuflect (for shia should be on a stone or part of earth and for sunni on carpet or floor ).

shia believe after death of prophet God selected the successive for prophet who is the political leader of Muslim community and people can not and does not the right to selected it.

Shia believes the Caliph (Representative of God in earth) is selected only by God and can not be selected by people because God said in Koran: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) or "O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth" (Quran 38:26) also other verses.

Shia believes such verses means only God can select an Islamic political leader (Caliph).

In Shia Islam Caliphs after prophet are 12 Imams and all of them are the same and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything (not absolute knowledge like knowledge of God) and they hear all sayings and even thinks of all humans after even after their death by permission of God and they are intermediates between God and human Shia Muslims always support them and forgive their lives for them.

Shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph by people valid because God did not select him. They believe God ordered prophet to declare people that Ali is selected as successor of prophet and prophet did this mission many times during his prophet-hood and mainly in Ghadir event after last Hajj of his life at a 3-4 hour speech in front of 120,000 Muslims at Ghadir in hot desert after 2 days stop of long caravan for gathering and 3 days after speech for congratulations and homage of Muslims to Ali. Islam at that time had high power in world and Some companions had high interest in leadership position after prophet. Muslims knew that it is the final Hajj of prophet (predicted by prophet) and were going along with prophet to hear what prophet says at end of his life. Shia believes Ghadir event is the most important event of Islam and is mentioned in Koran in many verses like "Today" (اليوم) in verse 5:3 of Quran is the day of Ghadir. Or Verse 5:67 (O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith) is revealed at Ghadir day and is about declaring political leadership of Ali after prophet.

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims accept happening of Ghadir event But different interpret. Some Sunni writers tried to reject the event of Ghadir as declare of leadership of Ali and said at Ghadir prophet only wanted to say Ali is my friend and no one should bother him. Ali had 3 different missions to Yemen by prophet during 10 years and in 2 of them some companions of prophet had some conflicts with Ali and and prophet said some sayings about Ali to solve conflicts and some sunni writers have mixed stories of missions of Ali to Yemen with story of Ghadir to prove Ghadir event is not about Leadership of Ali and is not important.

Shia scholars believe some Sunni writers have changed and deviated historical evidences about political leadership of Ali in old historical books and republished them to destroy evidences of leadership of Ali from old Sunni books.

The famous Shia book Al-Ghadir (الغدير) by Allameh Amini is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Events written after referring to 100,000 Sunni books and full reading of 10,000 sunny books. Allameh Amini is a famous Shia scholar and spent 40 years of his life in travelling to access original old Sunni books in libraries in different countries to write this 20 volume book only from Sunni books and not using any Shia book. Some Sunni scholars tried to reply this book but then said if we want to reply this book we should first destroy all books of ourselves.

Shia doctrine have root in Karbala tragedy. When tragedy of Karbala happened most of Iranians understood there is two different kinds of Islam and after happening of Karbala tragedy most of Iranians became followers of "Ahl al-Bayt" and forgive their lives for them like what they did in Iranian Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. Shia Muslims have at least 120,000 Hadith (saying) from The Fourteen Infallibles that is the base of Shia Islam along with Quran. Shia believes according to " Hadith of the two weighty things" The Fourteen Infallibles are the only valid interpreters of Quran and sayings of them are from God because they are Representative of God in earth and they do not say anything from themselves. Shia believes 12th of them (Mahdi) is alive and because people have killed all 11 Imams before him, he is in hide like Jesus and will come out of hide toghether with Jesus when people become ready and want to accept his leadership. All 11 Imams have been killed and during their life thy all have been in prison or under hard control of government to not have any political action. They never had enough serious followers to can get political power. Among them only the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq was relatively free in his life to have only scientific activities (but banned from any political action) and so only he is known in west because he established university and had students from all over the world. Westerns know him as a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. He was also the teacher of the famous chemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān (Geber), and of Abū Ḥanīfa, the founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence. He never wanted be a famous man and only shared his knowledge with who wanted to learn. Some researchers consider his teachings the root cause of renaissance.

Sunni Muslims also accept Mahdi and his worldwide leadership as Caliph of God in earth at end of world. There is a famous Hadith from prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Mahdi at hide is like sun behind cloud, he is hidden from people but people receive his benefits. Shia Muslims say some faithful believers have connection with Mahdi and use his knowledge. Shia Muslims believe that it is proved at least 1000 persons have had connection and talk with Mahdi during his hide period but Any one having relation with Mahdi keep it and does not declare it in public until is alive.

Sunni Muslims belives that sacrifice of grandson of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) has a great importance in Islam this sacrifice is give in the way of god & justice in social values in front of yazid who was also Muslim but not a good leader his character was so rogh so people do not like him so grand son of prophet muhmmad (p.b.u.h) hazrat imam hussain not accept him so yazid order his army to murder of hazrat imam hussain faimly & his companions that is good sacrifice & evil but the shia Muslims used to weeping & torture himself on every year for this sacrifice & they said that our whole life is associated with this incident but sunni Muslims thinks that this incident is for our welfare & lesson for us & not for weeping & torturing himself

The division began after the death of the Prophet Mohamed. He had one child, a daughter. Some of his followers felt that his daughter should succeed him, some felt his brother should. Other divisions in the faith, beliefs and theology followed.

Answer 3

all in all we can categorize these difference into two levels:one level lies in principles and other in interpreting of Quran .

first level:the five principles of religion as stated by shiism include:tawhid or belief in divine unity,nubuwwah or prophecy,maad or ressurrection,imamah or the immamate:belief in the imams as successors of the prophet and Adl or Divine justice.in the Three bsic principles -unity, prophecy and resurrection-Suunnism and shiism agree.it ts only in the other two that they differ. in the question of the imamate it is the insistence on the esoteric function of of the imam that distingushes the shiites perspective from the Sunni.in the question of Justice it is the emphasis placed upon this attribute as an intrinsic quality of the divine nature that is particular to shiism.we might say that in the esotericformulation of Sunni theology,especially as contained in Asharism there is an emphasis upon the will of god .whatever god will is just precisely because it is willed by God.and intelligence is in a sense subordinate to this will and to the voluntarism which characterizes this form of theology.in shiism however , the quality of justice is considered as innate to the Divine Nature..God can not act in n unjust manner because it is His nature to be just.Fa,him to be unjust would violate His own nature,which is impossible.intelligence can judge the justness and injustness of an act and this judgment is not completely suspended in favor of a pure voluntarism on the part of God.

second level:shiism also different in its consideration of the means whereby the original message of Quranic revelation reached the islamic community and thereby in certain aspects of the sacred history of Islam.there is no disagreement on the Quran and the prophet.that is,on what constitutes the origin of the islamic religion.the difference in view begins with the period immediately following the death of the prophet.one might say that the personality of the prophet contained two dimensions which were later to become crystallized into Suunism and Shiism.each of this two schools was later to reflect bck upon the life and personality of the prophet solely from its own point of view,thus leaving aside and forgetting or miscinstruing the other ddimension excluded from its own perspective.for shiism the dry (in the alchemical sense) and austere aspect of the pesonality as reflected in his successors in the Sunni world was equated with worliness.while his warm and compassionate dimevsion was emphasized as his whole personality and as the essence of the nature of the imams,who were considered to be a continuation.

Answer 4

All the Muslims agree that Allah is One, Muhammad (S) is His last Prophet, the Qur'an is His last Book for mankind, and that one day

Allah will resurrect all human beings, and they will be questioned about their beliefs and actions. There are, however, disagreements between the two schools in the following two areas:

1. The Caliphate (successorship/leadership) which the Shi'a believe is the right of the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt.

2. The Islamic rule when there is no clear Qur'anic statement, nor is there a Hadith upon which Muslim schools have agreed.

Answer 5

It was after the sorrowful death of the third Rightful Caliph Hazrat Usman RAU by the rebels that the Muslims split occurred. The two groups are now known as Sunni (almost 85%) and Shias (10%). The rebels killed the third Rightful Caliph and forced Hazrat Ali RAU to become the caliph. It was rumored about that Hazrat Ali RAU didn't want to save Hazrat Usman RAU from the rebels. While the fact was that Hazrat Ali RAU had deputed two of his sons -Hazrat Hassan RAU and Hazrat Hussain RAU to watch the house of the Caliph and try to defend him. This misunderstanding resulted into bloodshed of thousands of Muslims fighting against one another. Those who favored Ali were called Shiyan-i-Ali and those who opposed and demanded that the rebels and killers of the caliph should be brought to book were the other group. A third group-Khawarjis- also appeared out from this split.

The present day Shiaism was evolved much later. There are many conspiracy theories behind this. Some point their fingers on the hypocrites and Iranians who had been defeated by the Muslims during the reign of the second Rightly Guided Caliph Harat Umar RAU.

As the belief held by many groups of Shias are Not acceptable to many other Shia groups. Many of these beliefs are in utter contrast to the basic teachings of the holy Qur'an.

The Qur'an declares the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) highly respectable and Allah's favorites while the Shias blame that they had turned away from Islam.

The Shias claim that Hazrat Ali RAU was nominated Caliph by the prophet SAW at Khum-i-Gadir but history does not approve it. It was Hazrat Abu Bakr rau whom the Prophet saw ordered to lead the prayer in his place during the last illness from which he never recovered. It was a clear indication of his being the most honored person after him. Not a single Companion rau pointed out that Hazrat Ali rau had been appointed Caliph when the Companions chose Hazrat Abu Bakr rau the Caliph. Hazrat Ali rau himself remained an important advisor to the first three Rashidoon Caliphs. Was he as a coward to remain silent and not fight for his right?

The qualities attributed to the Imams by the Shias are not only in contrast to Islam, rather they are self contradictory. According to Shias, the Imam is infallible, he can't make mistake, he know everything present, past and future

What happened practically to the Fist Imam Hazrat Ali rau? He was killed, and he didn't know.

In the Battle of Jamal where more than ten thousand Muslims lost their lives, Hazrat Ali rau repented and wished that he had not taken birth to see that day.

The second Imam Hassan rau made peace with Hazrat Muawia rau and was later poisoned to death, and he didn't know.

The third Imam Hussain rau rose against Yazid but had his whole family killed at Karbala, and he didn't know what was going to happen to him. The life of most of the Shia Imams bear witness that they are not blessed with those qualities which the Shias attribute to them.

The split is Not Religious, it is political. It was later on attributed to religion by inventing certain religious doctrines. A detailed answer has been given by Elosry.

Answer 6

shiites belive in the prophet (pbuhahf) and in his family....whereas sunnis deny the family of Muhammed(pbuhahf) and they wanted to kill Imam Ali (as) because the prophet told everyone that he is the next caliph after he dies...but since the sunnies (abu bakr, uthman and umar) denied it and gave everyone money to follow abu bakr as the next caliph ...but he is only the prophets friend nothing more...whereas Ali (as) is the prophets cousin and son-in-law and th prophet stated that Ali is his bother and he is the next caliph. since abu bakr gave everone money ....only some people took it and belived in him while the rest stayed with Ali (AS) and his family .....so the followers/supporters of ALI are the shiites and the money-hungry followers of abu bakr are the sunnis......thanks for reading! :)

i am a shiite Muslim but if i had any doubt in my religion and know its wrong (not that it is) i would switch to the right one but surely (no doubt) its the right one

Answer 7

this political differences already return to political method of the selection of the caiph and its disagreement with the shiite views.

shiism believes that the divine law of islam(shariah whose substance is found in the book of God and in the tradition or sunnah of the Holy prophet , will remain valid to the day of the judgment and can never, nor will ever, be altered. a government which is really islamic can not under any pretext refuse completely to carry out the shariah's injunctions. the only duty of an islamic government is to make decision by consultation within the limits set by the shariah and in accordance with the demands of the moments.

the vow of the allegiance to Abu-Bakr at Saqifah which was motivated at least in prt by political considerations , and the incident described in the hadith of " Ink and Paper" which occurred during the last days of the illness of the Holy prophet reveal the fact that those who directed and backed the movement to chose the caliph through the process of election believed that the book of God should be preserved in the form of a constituion. they emphasized the holy book and pay much less attention to the words of THe Holy prophet as an immutable source of the teaching of Islam. they seems to have accepted the modification of certain aspects of Islamic teaching concerning government to suit the conditions of the moment and for the sake of the general welfare.

Answer 8

shia and sunni have mostly same beliefs and both believe in fundamental beliefs of Islam. today there is up to 260 sect in Islam that are in two category of shia and sunni.

shia believes in Allah, prophet and all fundamentals of Islam.

shia pray 5 times a day but usually do the 2,3 and 4,5 pray together and so may seem they do 3 pray a day. there is some differences in details of pray like how to hold hands in pray and on what do the genuflect (for shia should be on a stone or part of earth and for sunni on carpet or floor ).

shia believe after death of prophet God selects the successive for prophet who is the leader of Muslim community and people can not select it.

shia believe the Caliph (Representative of God in earth after prophet) is appointed only by God and can not be selected by people because God said in Koran: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." (Quran 2:30)

this means only God can select an Islamic leader.

in shia they are only fourteen infallible (12 Imams and prophet and his daughter Fatimah Zahra (sa))

and all of them are the same and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything (this knowledge is from God and by permission of God and is not absolute knowledge. absolute knowledge is only for God and they still do not know many things. but they know anything human may need to know.) and they never die and they hear all sayings and even thinks of all humans after their death by permission of God and they are intermediates between God and human.

and shia Muslims always support them and forgive their lives for them.

shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph valid because God did not select him. they believe God ordered prophet to declare Ali is selected as successor of prophet (Quran 5:3) and prophet did this mission in Ghadir event that was in last Hajj of prophet in his life and prophet did a speech for 120,000 Muslims participating that Hajj with prophet. the famous shia book Al-Ghadir is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Hadith from 100,000 sunni references and read all of 10,000 sunny books. one sunni scholar said if we want to reply Al-Ghadir book (by Allameh Amini) we should first destroy all our books.

Shia doctorin has root in Karbala. when tragedy of Karbala happened most of iranians became shia.

Answer 9

It is better to find out similarities between the two, in stead of finding out differences. People belonging to these two have differences among themselves on the differences between the two.