What do the terms “Sunni” and “Shiah” mean?
At the time of Prophet Muhammad, the terms “Sunni” and “Shi’ah” did not exist – they developed later in Muslim history. After the Prophet passed away, Muslims were left to determine who should rightfully succeed him as the political leader (khalifah) of the Muslim community. Many were of the belief that a leader could be selected among any of the righteous and pious Muslims who demonstrated leadership abilities. This has come to be known as the majority viewpoint, designated “Sunni” in reference to these Muslims’ reliance on the Qur’an and Sunnah of Muhammad as the sources of religious doctrine and practice. Others believed that the position had been conferred upon Ali ibn Abu Talib, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, by the Prophet. In the ensuing years, this difference of opinion was perpetuated, as the Shi’ah (“supporters” or “partisans” of Ali) continued to hold that authority belonged to Ali and his immediate descendants, even while historically, leadership was exercised by variou
