Saturday, October 23, 2004
Dear Yahoo!:
What's the difference between the Sunni and Shia forms of Islam?
BrianBeaufort, North Carolina
Dear Brian:
The differences between the two sects go deeper than we can describe here, so we recommend you visit the sites listed in the Islam and Shia'ism categories of the Yahoo! Directory. That said, here is a simplified explanation.
Up to 90% of all Muslims follow the Sunni tradition, making it the largest branch of Islam. The name Sunni comes from the Arabic sunnah, meaning the custom or example of the prophet Muhammad. By the 10th century, Muslim theology was codified into the Sunni tradition.
But even before that time, there were splinter groups, and the largest of these was the Shia tradition. "Shia" comes from the Arabic phrase shi'at 'Ali, which means the partisans of Ali. Ali was the son-in-law and cousin of Muhammad, and Shias believe that he was the prophet's rightful successor. Ali ruled as the fourth caliph (leader) after Muhammad, but he was assassinated in 661.
The matter of leadership evolved into the Shia institution of the Imamate, a spiritual leader followers considered chosen by God. Ali was the first of the 12 most important Imams, and Shias regularly visit the shrines of the Imams. Sunnis have Imams too, but these men are more like prayer leaders and scholars, and they don't hold the same religious or political authority as Shia imams.
Shia Muslims also interpret some verses of the Quran (the holy book of Islam) differently than do Sunnis. Suffering and martyrdom are idealized more in Shia tradition than Sunni, and the sects hold varying views on divine justice and free will. Shia'ism has its own call to prayer, prayer forms, and ritual practices as well.
Despite the variations, Shias and Sunnis all believe in the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the basic tenets of the religion. Most Shias and Sunnis consider each other Muslims, although ethnic and political issues may divide them.
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What's the difference between the Sunni and Shia forms of Islam?
BrianBeaufort, North Carolina
Dear Brian:
The differences between the two sects go deeper than we can describe here, so we recommend you visit the sites listed in the Islam and Shia'ism categories of the Yahoo! Directory. That said, here is a simplified explanation.
Up to 90% of all Muslims follow the Sunni tradition, making it the largest branch of Islam. The name Sunni comes from the Arabic sunnah, meaning the custom or example of the prophet Muhammad. By the 10th century, Muslim theology was codified into the Sunni tradition.
But even before that time, there were splinter groups, and the largest of these was the Shia tradition. "Shia" comes from the Arabic phrase shi'at 'Ali, which means the partisans of Ali. Ali was the son-in-law and cousin of Muhammad, and Shias believe that he was the prophet's rightful successor. Ali ruled as the fourth caliph (leader) after Muhammad, but he was assassinated in 661.
The matter of leadership evolved into the Shia institution of the Imamate, a spiritual leader followers considered chosen by God. Ali was the first of the 12 most important Imams, and Shias regularly visit the shrines of the Imams. Sunnis have Imams too, but these men are more like prayer leaders and scholars, and they don't hold the same religious or political authority as Shia imams.
Shia Muslims also interpret some verses of the Quran (the holy book of Islam) differently than do Sunnis. Suffering and martyrdom are idealized more in Shia tradition than Sunni, and the sects hold varying views on divine justice and free will. Shia'ism has its own call to prayer, prayer forms, and ritual practices as well.
Despite the variations, Shias and Sunnis all believe in the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the basic tenets of the religion. Most Shias and Sunnis consider each other Muslims, although ethnic and political issues may divide them.
Email this page - View most popular
Related Links
·
Infoplease Almanac: Religion
·
Y! Full Coverage: Religion
More Questions About
·
Religion & Spirituality
Get Ask Your Way
·
·
My Yahoo!
·
Yahoo! Companion
·
RSS
Copyright © 2004 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Copyright Policy
