In the middle east, the battle between the sunnis and shiites has been going on for quite some time. What is the difference between sunni and shiite muslimsand why does it matter. The differences between the sunni and shiite islamic sects are rooted in disagreements over the succession to the prophet muhammad, who. Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority group who followed abu bakr, an effective leader, as muhammads successor, instead of his cousin and soninlaw ali. Difference between shia and sunni compare the difference. What is the difference between sunnis and shias the hindu. The roots of the sunnishia divide can be traced all the way back to the seventh century, soon after the death of the prophet muhammad in a. Research indicates that most american citizens know little about islam and, specifically, the major differences between sunni muslims and. Sunni nikah requires the presence of two witnesses at the time of the nikah whereas shia muslims do not believe in having such requirement. Differences in sunni and shia beliefs though all muslims follow the quran and muhammad as a prophet, different traditions and beliefs have developed out of the two branches of the faith. Some countries have outlawed shia islam while others discriminate severely against shia muslims.
The major difference between the shia and the sunni. 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 attempt to gain the power through a military coup as was in the case of muawiyah. Another important difference between the two sects is that shia muslims permit fixedterm temporary marriage, known as muttah. But 95 per cent of the islamic public of iran belongs to the. Sunni believes that in order to become leader, it is enough to base their origin within the tribe of the prophet. Shia is the 2 nd largest division of islam with 15 to 10% of overall muslim population. In terms of actual practice, the sunni muslims pray five times a day. Difference between sunni and shia difference between sunni and shia.
Difference between shia and sunni nikah difference between. The branches are in agreement on many aspects of islam, but there are considerable. Shia muslims are the minority group of adherents within islam. Ahalesunnah or more commonly known as sunni is the largest sect of islam with over 85 to 90% total muslims are sunni. Sunni is an arabic word which means the one who follows the traditions or sunah of the prophet whereas shia word is derived from shiayat e ali that means friends of ali. Comprising about 85% of muslims, sunni is the largest denomination of the islam religion. Analysis of the iraq study group report the islam religion was founded by. Pdf exploring sunni and shiite history, demographics, and. Closer to home, a sufi clerics plans to build an islamic center near ground zero have. What are the differences between shia and sunni muslims. The term sunni means one who follows the traditions of the prophet. Almost 100 people were killed recently when a suicide bomber targeted shiite muslim pilgrims in pakistan. Thanks a2a this is one of those questions which may be considered hardy. Sunnis have their historical roots in the majority group who followed abu bakr, an effective leader, as the successor of muhammad, instead of his cousin and soninlaw ali.
The other differences are on the basis of religious practices and rituals people follow. After the death of prophet muhammad, muslims were divided into two groups by political differences. The sunni majority got their way, as abu bakr became the first muslim caliph and successor of the prophet. Heres a short primer on the schism between the sects. Saudi arabia dubbed the sunni kingdom is ruled by a sunni monarchy, with 90 per cent of its population adopting the same faith. Difference between shia and sunni laws of inheritance. Significant populations of shia muslims can be found in iran and iraq.
The word shia also belongs to arabic dictionary and refers to a party of supportive individuals. First of all let me give introduction of important persons from the history of islam so that you can understand what exactly is the dispute. Yet a spotlight has been shone recently on the differences between the two. This division begins in a debate not long after the passing of the prophet muhammad over who ought to lead the muslim group. The conflict between shias and sunni 959 words 4 pages. Ignorance may be bliss, but it makes for bad policy. For shias, the month also is a time to mourn the events that sparked the centuriesold schism between shia and sunni muslims.
Shias make up about 10% approximately 162 million of the global muslim population and form a majority in five countries. Here is a primer on the basic differences between sunni and shia islam. Both draw on narratives of what the prophet said hadith, but they favour different collections. Shia and sunni islam are the two major denominations of islam. This is a growing comparison chart between the three largest branches of islam. Difference between sunni and shia muslims sunni vs shia.
Shias believe that only the people in the direct line of the prophet should lead the muslims. Professor shahbaz cheema, punjab university, lahore australian islamic library. Sunni muslims and shia muslims have different theological beliefs. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Here are some major differences between the two sects. 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 prophets rightful successor. Sunni and shia muslims share the most fundamental islamic beliefs and articles of faith and are the two main subgroups in islam. During lifetime of prophet muhammad s this was in practice that sahaba pr. The sunni and shiite sects of islam encompass a wide spectrum of doctrine, opinion and schools of thought. Prepared by emily hawley, research associate after the death of the prophet mohammad in 632 ce, the muslim community diverged over how to select the next leader of the islamic community they had formed on the arabian peninsula. The differences between shia and sunni muslims business. Shia, shia islam, sunni, sunni and shia, sunni and shia islam, sunni islam. Sunni muslims are the largest group of adherents within islam. Differences between sunni and shia 886 words bartleby.
They do differ, however, and that separation stemmed initially, not from spiritual distinctions, but political ones. Whats the difference between sunni and shia muslims. Meaning of name tradition or welltrodden path partisans of ali current adherents. There are many small differences such as how many times a day to pray, how to. The word sunni has arabic roots which refer to the person who practices the teachings and traditions of the holy prophet pbuh. Sunni islam is the largest sect, although in some countries it is a minority. As stated in the textbook, the shia sect originated as a party supporting the appointment of alia cousin and soninlaw of muhammadand his. Sunni muslims are the majority in most muslim countries, except in parts of iraq, lebanon and bahrain, as well as in all of iran. What are the differences between sunni and shiite muslims.
This article serves as a brief overview of the similarities and differences between the two groups. Shia muslims believe that one has to belong to the family of the prophet in order to become the leader of the muslims. Sunni islam is the largest denomination, although in some countries it is a minority. Between the malikis and the other three mazahib the difference is a mere technicality. Sunni and shia muslims share many aspects of islamic teachings in common and also have their differences. Rating is available when the video has been rented. Differences between sunni, shia and ibadi islam wikipedia. What is the difference between sunni, shiite and sufi muslims. The origin of the sunnishia conflict in early islamic history was a difference of opinion on how leaders of the muslim community should be selected. Difference between shia and sunni in hindi, sunni aur shia me kya fark hai, shia sunni difference hindi. Allah will resurrect all human beings, and they will be questioned about their beliefs and actions.
Sunni and shia the sunni and shia are two sects that are derived from the islam religion. Muslims are divided into two fundamental branches, the sunnis and shia. Saudi arabia is the most powerful purveyor of sunni islam, far and away the larger sect. Over the centuries, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and. Shia muslims believe in temporary marriage where a couple enters in to wedlock for a preset period of time while sunni muslims believe in a more permanent marriage which ends only in divorce of in the case of the death of a spouse. Pdf this paper examines the history of sunni and shiite muslims, current demographics. Shia muslims only pray three timesmorning, lunchtime and sunset. What is the big difference between sunnis and shias that keeps two people from uniting with one another i know that there are different ways of praying and of the imamat. There was a division within the muslims after muhammads death, and the sunnis are one division. The major difference between the two and the reason that both do not necessarily get along is the true successor of the prophet muhammad. Iranians, iraqis, syrians, jordanians, and tv talking. The conflicts between shia and sunni muslims go back to the seventh century and the death of the prophet muhammad. Shiasunni sectarianism georgetown library repository. A difference between sunni and shia has originated from political and spiritual grounds.
They chose sides following the death of the islamic prophet muhammad in ad 632. Despite hearing news about the middle east every day, you still dont know shia from shinola. The major difference between the shia and the sunni a. Islam, the quran, and the five pillars all without a flamewar. Because of this, shia muslims have a strong sense of suffering.
The blood shadings between shia and sunni in the history of islamic interfaith differences have affected future generations, since the death of prophet muhammad in a. Indeed in some countries sectarian conflict is more likely to occur between different sunni groups than between sunni and shia communities. Saudi arabias execution of shia cleric sheikh nimr alnimr could escalate tensions in the muslim world even further. Sunni muslims make up an 85 percent majority of muslims all over the world. Comparison of sunni and shia islam there are two main sects in islam. Sunni muslims are the followers of abu bakr whereas shia muslims are the followers of ali. What is the difference between sunni and shia islam. Difference in sunni and shia muslims essay 257 words. Shia nikah ceremony is longer than a sunni nikah ceremony.
The shia scholars say that a divinely appointed imam is sinless and. Sunni and shia both condemn such practices and other rituals. They follow the five ritualistic pillars of islam, including ramadan, the month of. Difference between sunni and shia difference between. The roots of sunni shia differences in fiqh mahajjah. Born in 570 ce in mecca, saudi arabia and died in 632 c. The dispute intensified greatly after the battle of. In this single issue of fiqh we thus have an intersunni difference as well as a sunnishia difference. Approximately 15% 250 million of muslims around the world come from shia heritage. This week sunni and shia muslims ushered in the islamic new year and the beginning of the holy month of muharram. Countries like saudi arabia, egypt, yemen, pakistan, indonesia, turkey, algeria, morocco, and tunisia are predominantly sunni. I am a shia ismaili woman and i am in love with a sunni man. The differences between the sunni and shiite islamic sects are rooted in.
A dispute over succession to islamic prophet muhammad as a caliph of the islamic community spread across various parts of the world, which led to the battle of jamal and battle of siffin. What is the difference between sunni and shiite muslims. There are moderate and fundamentalist sects within each branch. 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 recognise as being the prophets rightful successor. All the muslims agree that allah is one, muhammad s is his last prophet, the quran is his last book for mankind, and that one day.