They chose sides following the death of the islamic prophet muhammad in ad 632. May 07, 2017 over the last decade at least, the socalled sunni shia divide has been a defining characteristic of the middle east for pundits and other nonexpert observers of the region. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Almost 80% of pakistans muslim population is sunni, with 20% being shia, but this shia minority forms the second largest shia population of any country, larger than the shia majority in iraq. And sunni muslims can be found in every major muslim country and they are about 90% of the whole muslim society according to shia people, after the prophets death, his cousin and soninlaw ali should have been the rightful leader and the fact that leadership. Why the myth of sunnishia conflict defines middle east. There are some similarities between them due to the fact that the. It can be in a family, like a son is a caliph of the father, it can be a tribal system or it can be a statehood. Sunni muslims are the largest denomination of the islam religion. Theological differences and ive ordered them by degrees of. Similarly, in shiitism, the druze are a somewhat eclectic sect residing in lebanon, syria, and israel. The differences between the sunni and shiite islamic sects are rooted in disagreements over the succession to the prophet muhammad, who. Shia sunni conflicts are raging in syria, iraq, lebanon and pakistan and the divide is growing deeper across the muslim world.
The hidden truth the prophet left us with clear guidance, hold onto the quran and the ahl ul bayt as and you will not go astray. The name sunni is derived from the word sunnah which means tradition. In terms of actual practice, the sunni muslims pray five times a day. Thousands of shiite muslims have been taking part in a procession in indiancontrolled kashmir at the peak of a 10day religious ritual. Differences between shia and sunni muslims business insider.
Within the sunni and shia branches, you can also find a number of sects. I avoid questions related to religious beliefs but i will try to satisfy your curiosity to the best of my ability. Sep 22, 2016 saudi arabias execution of shia cleric sheikh nimr alnimr could escalate tensions in the muslim world even further. Difference between shia and sunni so ive been playing this game for a while now, i have almost 200 hours clocked in on steam. Both draw on narratives of what the prophet said hadith, but they favour different collections. Differences are more apparent in countries where sunnis and shias have major conflict and physically fight one another. In the middle east a potent mix of religion and politics has sharpened the divide. 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. Shia and sunni laws of i nheritance are characterized by multilayered differences a s explained above.
Difference between sunni and shia muslims sunni vs shia. Sunni muslims and shia muslims have different theological beliefs. One of the most important dates for shia muslims is the tenth day of the holy month of muharram. What are the differences between sunni, shia, and sufi islam. Here is a primer on the basic differences between sunni and shia islam. The differences between shia and sunni muslims business insider. Law and jurisprudence is another area of difference between sunni and shia islam.
What are the differences between sunni, shia, and sufi. Here is a primer on the basic differences between sunni and shia. Yet a spotlight has been shone recently on the differences between the two. The sunni shia split, in my opinion, can be divided into three parts. Oct 05, 2015 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. The differences between sunni and shia muslims arose from a disagreement over the succession to muhammad and subsequently acquired broader political significance, as well. For example, in 2006 israel went to war with hezbollah in lebanon and in 20082009 with hamas in gaza. Even though i have the soi dlc, i have never really been one to play muslims, except a playthrough with ruler designer in ireland which went horribly, might i add. This split in the religion comes down to a political and spiritual difference of opinion about who should have succeeded muhammad after his death in 632 ce. Religion is important in muslim countries and understanding sunni and shia beliefs is important in understanding the modern muslim world. Believed abu bakr, a friend of the prophet, should be his rightful successor. 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. Thus, understanding the historic roots of the shia sunni divide provide some explanations for reasons of conflict.
Thousands of shiite muslims join procession at peak of. Sunni muslims are the majority muslim division with 85 to 90% population among over all muslims. Tensions between sunnis and shias, exploited by regional rivals. A difference between sunni and shia has originated from political and spiritual grounds. There are moderate and fundamentalist sects within each branch. The other differences are on the basis of religious practices and rituals people follow. The venn diagram between sunni and shia by kennedy.
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. Sep 25, 2014 whats the difference between sunni and shia. Students will read an article about sunnis and shiites, then create a venn diagram to plot similarities and differences between the two. While most literature attributes the development of shia praxis to the persian. Sunni believes that in order to become leader, it is enough to base their origin within the tribe of the prophet. The majority of the worlds muslim population follows the sunni branch of islam, and approximately 1015% of all muslims follow the shiite shiite, shia, shia branch. Sunni and shiite religious beliefs to discussions of terrorism and iraq that may be of interest during the first session of the 110th congress. Differences between sunni, shia and ibadi islam wikipedia. Until recently shia sunni relations have been cordial. Most of the difference is rooted in historical political animosity. Students will be able to understand similarities and differences between sunni and shiite muslims and be able to explain both the history of the divide between the two sects, as well as why this information is important in understanding the world today. The differences between shia and sunni muslims business.
The origin of the sunni shia conflict in early islamic history was a difference of opinion on how leaders of the muslim community should be selected. 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. What is the difference between sunni, shiite and sufi muslims. What is the difference between sunni and shia yahoo answers. Difference between shia and sunni compare the difference. Sunni muslims make up an 85 percent majority of muslims all over the world. Shia muslims only pray three timesmorning, lunchtime and sunset.
It is true that there are minor variations in the way they take their respective religious heads and attribute meaning to the history of the family of muhammads, however, cultural and political differences hold the most divisive power over the religious forces. Sunni islam is the largest sect, although in some countries it is a minority. The economist explains what is the difference between. Although shia muslims only constitute between 10% and % of the global muslim population, they. Clashes between islams two big sects, the sunni and the shia, take place across the muslim world. Shia, shia islam, sunni, sunni and shia, sunni and shia islam, sunni islam. To be oblivious to this reality would be like ignoring over many centuries that there were differences between catholics and protestants, or trying to resolve the civil war in northern ireland without engaging both christian. Allah will resurrect all human beings, and they will be questioned. Shiite and sunni muslims are two islamic sects with a difficult history and a heated present. However, dividing the middle east along sectarian lines is not an accurate way to assess the loyalties or predict the actions of various regional actors. Major tenets and beliefs are often similar between the two branches because sunnis and shias are both muslims, but some important. Sectarian conflict is becoming entrenched in a growing number of muslim countries and is threatening to fracture iraq and syria.
Shias believe that only the people in the direct line of the prophet should lead the muslims. Its name comes from the word sunnah, referring to the behaviour of the islamic prophet muhammad. Initially the difference between sunni and shia was merely a question of who should lead the muslim community. 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.
Sunnishia divisions would fuel a longrunning civil war in syria, fighting in lebanon, iran, iraq, yemen and elsewhere, and terrorist violence on both sides. Iranians, iraqis, syrians, jordanians, and tv talking heads. A crucial turning point in islamic history was the forced conversion of the populace in the iranian plateau to shia branch. The conflicts between shia and sunni muslims go back to the seventh century and the death of the prophet muhammad. Due to these differences, sunni and shia alims or religious scholars do not encourage such marriages in which one of the spouses is either shia or sunni. The differences between sunni and shia muslims the words sunni and shia appear regularly in stories about the muslim world but few people know what they really mean. Shia considered ali ibn abi talib as the first caliph and imam. What is the difference between sunni and shiite muslims and. After alis assassination in 661, sunni caliphs regained power for more than 20 years. Difference between shia and sunni nikah difference between. The difference between sunni and shia sects of islam are not to the gigantic proportions as most western literature assume. In the middle east a potent mix of religion and politics has sharpened the divide between iran. There are differences in which hadith are accepted.
The consequences of the sunni shia divide religious events can have fundamental and longlasting socioeconomic consequences. Sunni islam is the largest denomination, although in some countries it is a minority. The division among muslims is rooted from differences in political beliefs. This actually has nothing to do with shia and sunni, nor anything with religion. Comparison of sunni and shia islam there are two main sects in islam. Sunni islam and shiism only assumed their current forms in the ninth century, after the collection of the prophets sayings hadith and the end of the line of shia imams. Shiite populations constitute a majority in iran, iraq, bahrain, and azerbaijan. There are many differences in the nikah ceremony of sunni and shia.
When the prophet died, the followers of muhammad couldnt agree on the issue of who should become the first caliph after muhammad. 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. Countries like saudi arabia, egypt, yemen, pakistan, indonesia, turkey, algeria, morocco, and tunisia are predominantly sunni. Chris hayes answers your questions about whats happening in syria and iraq right now, starting with a primer on a key. In iraq, carved by the british out of three ottoman provinces, a poor, largely rural, shia majority, a sunni minority, and the kurds were the predominant groups.
Another important difference between the two sects is that shia muslims permit fixedterm temporary marriage, known as muttah. For shias, the month also is a time to mourn the events that sparked the centuriesold schism between shia and sunni muslims. Sunni muslims are the followers of abu bakr whereas shia muslims are the followers of ali. Shia and sunni islam are the two major denominations of islam. A significant root of the political maelstrom that characterizes the middle east today is the shia sunni breach, and hopefully these 7 major differences between shia and sunni muslims will help. For example, in saudi arabia, sunni wahhabism is a prevalent and puritanical faction. Feb 15, 2008 the quran is the same for sunni and shia. Sunni shia conflicts have unfortunately occurred in various parts of the arab and muslim world, and pakistan is not immune to such conflict. Sunnahgoes hand in hand with hadiths, which is what he said, these have been collected and graded in. Born in 570 ce in mecca, saudi arabia and died in 632 c.
Saudi arabias execution of shia cleric sheikh nimr alnimr could escalate tensions in the muslim world even further. The social origins of shia and sunni islamism khatchik derghougassian abstract. This week sunni and shia muslims ushered in the islamic new year and the beginning of the holy month of muharram. Shia hadiths differ from sunni hadiths mainly in that shia hadiths include the sayings of the ahlul bayt. Shia muslims believe that one has to belong to the family of the prophet in order to become the leader of the muslims. 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. There are many small differences such as how many times a day to pray, how to pray, how they should interpret the quran, etc. Jul 02, 2014 in the middle east, the battle between the sunnis and shiites has been going on for quite some time. They comprise about 85% of muslims, while shia muslims are the second largest denomination at over 10% of muslims. Wabillahhitaufiq walhidayah wassalamualaikum warahmatullahhi wabarakatuh. The difference between shiite and sunni muslims and why it matters. Shiism should not be thought of as a later branch or offshoot of sunni islam. Related papers include crs report rs21432 and crs report rs21695. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the history of the sunnis and shias like never before, in no time at all.
Remaining neutral to give you an honest insight from the view of both sides. In the islamic world, shia muslims can be found in iran, iraq, syria, yemen, bahrain, etc. A caliphate is something where one succeeds another. What is the difference between sunnis and shias the hindu. Alis son, hussein, fought them and was killed by sunnis at karbala, in iraq. Sunni and shia have different religious understanding and they also have cultural differences. How are ahmadis different than normal shia or sunni. In sunni law, the daughter will have half of the estate while the rest will be inherited by the grandson as a residuary. What are the differences between shia and sunni muslims. 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. The sunnishia divide into the 21st century in addition to karbala, the npr podcast throughline identified three key milestones that would sharpen sunni shia divisions by the end of the 20th century. A common thread in most of these conflicts is the ongoing battle between sunni saudi arabia and shia iran for influence in. What is the difference between sunni and shia muslims. Muslims in five countries with substantial numbers of both shias and sunnis.
Despite differences between sunni and shia muslims, both respect the quran as the holy book. Another difference between sunnis and shiites has to do with the mahdi, the rightlyguided one whose role is to bring a just global caliphate into being. Shia muslim is the 2 nd major muslim division with 15 to 10% overall population. Pakistans citizens have had serious shiasunni discord.
The differences and similarities between sunni and shia sunni shia both shia tali means party of ali hortened to shia makes up 10% of the muslim faction the leader must be a descendant of muhammad the shia muslims believe that following the prophet muhammads death, leadership. Meaning of name tradition or welltrodden path partisans of ali current adherents. Follow the words of the slave and the prophet of almighty god allah subhanahu wataala prophet muhammad sallallahhualaihi wassalam to follow the alquran and his sunnah. Mar 24, 2011 the major difference between the shia and the sunni. Jul 05, 2014 it is important, therefore, for nonmuslims who are dealing with the ummah to communicate with both sunni and shia voices. Difference between shia and sunni in hindi, sunni aur shia me kya fark hai, shia sunni difference hindi. The history of the sunni and shia split traces the origins of the split and the historic effects of the main divide within islam. With one and a half billion muslims in the world, it is extremely unlikely that they are all. Religious law muftis judges traditionally administered religious law based on one of the 4 schools of law.
Although both groups rely first and foremost on the quran and. Despite hearing news about the middle east every day, you still dont know shia from shinola. 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. What is the difference between sunni and shiite muslims.
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. Rating is available when the video has been rented. A schism emerged after the death of the prophet muhammad in. The conflict within islam arose after prophet muhammad died in a. Whats the difference between sunni and shia muslims. Sunni and shia islam are the two largest branches of islam with significant similarities, as well as major differences, between their beliefs. Oct 04, 2015 the conflicts between shia and sunni muslims go back to the seventh century and the death of the prophet muhammad. Since it appeared on the international scene in 1979, islamic fundamentalism was usually considered a political phenomenon sponsored, if not promoted, by certain rogue states, in particular iran.
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