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| Sunnis-Shia Cartoon |
- Sunni-Shia Demographic Map;
- Historical Background of the Sunni-Shia split in the Middle East;
- Shia Alawites Versus Sunnis in Syria.
Given how this split affects the Middle East today, it seems worthwhile to very briefly highlight at a very high level the difference between some of the core beliefs of Sunnis and Shiites. Its worth emphasizing that the chart below is very general - and Muslim visitors to this blog may even find the chart a bit simplistic - but at least its a starting point for those who might want to further explore this issue:
Major Differences Between
Shiism and Sunnism
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Shiism
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Sunnism
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Successors
to Muhammad
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Muhammad designated Ali and his descendants as the prophet’s
rightful successors to lead the Muslim community.
The first three caliphs were illegitimate tyrants.
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The rightful successors to Muhammad are the most qualified
leaders as chosen by the Muslim community.
The first three caliphs were legitimate and “right guided.”
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Immanate
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Ali was the divinely inspired First Imam chosen by Muhammad. Up
to 12 Imams who were descended from Ali came after him. The Imams were
saintly figures who taught right behavior after the time of Muhammad.
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Sunnis do not recognize the Imamate of the Shiites, but still
revere Ali. Sunnism attempts to include as many different Islamic practices
and beliefs as possible to achieve a “harmonious community.”
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Law
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The sources of Islamic law (Sharia) are the Koran, Sunnah, and
Imams.
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The sources of Islamic law are the Koran and Sunnah.
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Clergy
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A formal clergy structure consists of religious leaders (e.g.,
ayatollahs) who interpret Islamic law for Shiites to follow in the absence of
the “Hidden Imam.”
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There is no formal clergy structure. Religious scholars
interpret Islamic law by consensus to guide the lives of Sunnis.
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