Whats the difference between Sunni and Shia muslims?
The last paragraph probably best answers your question, but all of it applies to their differences. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance. The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet’s companions, that the new leader 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 “on
This is a question that can not be answered with complete accuracy in a few words. The split began with a dispute over who should rightfully have been named the successor to Mohammad’s leadership of the Islamic faithful. (This split took place much later than the events in question and took place over many years.) The Shia believe the rightful successor was Ali and should have continued through the family line of Mohammad. The Sunni believe Abu Bakr and his successors were the rightful leadership. Since then, differences in methodologies and interpretations regarding the extraction of law from the Quran and the Sunna have multiplied. Other differences lie in attitudes toward government, belief in a messianic figure, certain holy days, beliefs about the infallibility of the Imams, particular details about the nature of God, etc. They do have the basics in common, and most adherents to either group would not call the others heretics (though there are some on both sides who consider the o
Shia Muslims feel animosity towards some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on their positions and actions during the early years of discord about leadership in the community. Many of these companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, etc.) have narrated traditions about the Prophet’s life and spiritual practice. Shia Muslims reject these traditions (hadith) and do not base any of their religious practices on the testimony of these individuals. This naturally gives rise to some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences touch all detailed aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc. Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq, and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon. It is important to remember that despite all of these differences in opinion and practice, Shia and Sunni Muslims share the main articles of Isl
