Similar to other monotheistic religions, such as Christianity, Islam is divided into two large sects, each made distinguishable by slight differences in beliefs and traditions. These two groups are Shi’a and Sunni. The division between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, in the year 632 C.E. After his death, the question as to whom should take leadership of the Muslim people arose. Many Muslims agreed with the Prophet's companions, claiming that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. Eventually, it was decided that the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, would become the first Caliph of the Islamic people. All those who agreed with this decision were henceforth known as Sunni Muslims, ’Sunni’ being an abbreviation of the Arabic word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet." Those who refused to follow Abu Bakr instead followed Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali, believing that the leadership should remain either within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams (islamic holly leaders) appointed by God Himself. These Muslims titled themselves as Shi’a Muslims, ‘Shi’a’ being an abbreviation of Shiat Ali, meaning "followers of Ali."
Both Shi'as and Sunnis argued with evidence that supported their beliefs for the succession of leadership of the Muslim people. Sunnis claimed that the Prophet chose Abu Bakr to lead the congregational prayers as the Prophet lay on his deathbed, thus suggesting that the Prophet was appointing him as the next leader. The Shi'as on the other hand said that Muhammad stood up in front of his companions on the way back from his final Hajj, and proclaimed Ali to be the spirit...
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...hrain and Iraq (making up 60% of the population). There are also large communities of Shia Muslims along the east coast of Saudi Arabia and Lebanon. However, Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims worldwide. Due to the fact that many Shi’a occupied areas in these countries happened to hold large supplies of oil, Sunni Muslims became bitter towards the Shi’as, and due to the differences in their beliefs the divide was widened, causing conflict between the two sects.
Overall, it is critical to acknowledge that, despite differences in opinion and practice, both Shi’a and Sunni Muslims maintain belief in the main fundamental beliefs of the Islamic religion, and are considered by most to be brethren in faith. In fact, most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims."
He became known as “the Prophet,” and was meant to be God’s final prophet. The main two groups of Islam are the Shia and Sunni which were created after Muhammad’s death. The Islamic religion as well as the Judaism and Christianity are monotheistic; these three religions have small disputes but they all believe in only one god. There were two men that wanted to be the first caliph (successor) of Muhammad.
Have you ever wondered about other religions that are out there and why they are out there? I have and that is why I chose to write my paper on the Sunnis and Shiites. Read on to learn more about a brief history and then I will break each of them into separate religions.
Islam also differ in their definition of what it means to be Muslim. The belief in Islam is
Huda. "Shia and Sunni Muslims: What's the Difference?" Religion and Spirituality. Ask.com, n.d. Web. 01 May 2014. .
The Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam have been feuding for hundreds of years dating back to the beginning of the Islamic religion. The deity or god of the Sunnis is Allah. The Sunni branch of Islam is the larger of the two branches with over 80% of the Muslim population. The Sunni are the majority in most of the countries that have Islamic followers. There are a few different translations of what Sunna stands for, one of which is “Habitual Practice.” The differences between the two branches can be traced all the back to the 7th century CE when the disagreements as to who should succeed Muhammad. Sunnis believe that the Muslim community should maintain the right to select who the successor to Muhammad is going to be. The Shiite branch maintains the belief that Muhammad has selected his son-in-law to be the successor. Even though the two branches agree on most matters, the Sunni put more power behind god and his determination of fate, and are more inclusive about their definition of being Muslim. The Sunni place heavy belief in the role of religion in some aspects of life and a lot of weight is put on the Islamic law known as Shariah as the standard for a vast range of social issues including marriage and divorce. (Patheos.com)
Throughout his life, the Prophet Muhammad proved to be exceptionally adept at uniting diverse groups, negotiating a series of alliances and loyalty arrangements that spanned religious, tribal, ethnic, and familial lines (Berggren 2009). Among other things, this ability enabled Muhammad to forge a shared identity and found a nascent Islamic state from a diverse and even heterogeneous community (Rahman 1982; Ernst 2003, pp. 87-93). This diversity proved to be both a source of strength and conflict for Islam, and following the death of Muhammad early Islamic communities engaged in extensive debates not only about the nature of his teachings or how to carry his legacy forward, but also about the terms that should be used to define his authority. Although this debate produced a colorful array of movements within the tapestry of early Islamic civilization, this essay offers a critical examination of two particularly distinct perspectives on the nature of prophetic authority: namely, those articulated
Islam is a monotheistic religion which is originated from the Middle East or more specifically in the Arabian Peninsula early in the 7th century. This religion was founded on the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed who named this religion after the Arabic word acceptance. Islam has 2 major sects the Sunni and Shi’a. This split occurred when Mohammed died. The Sunni believed that the new leader of Islam should be determined through election but the Shi’a thought that the new leader should be Imam Ali a cousin and son in law of Mohammed. Another branch of Islam is Druze but only a small minority of Muslims who live in Lebanon, Syria and Palestine are followers of this sect (3 Faiths with One God - Islam, Arab American National Museum).
The Umayyads thought they should choose the 4rth caliph. However after Ali became the 4th caliph it started a civil war inside the Muslim Empire. Later it was resolved by a negotiation by Ali. Soon after Ali’s death, Mu‘awiyah, the leader of the Umayyads claimed the caliphate. Most Muslims, called Sunnis came to accept him as caliph.
Islam in Arabic means submission to the will of God. Adherents of the religion of Islam are known as Muslims, which means one who surrenders to God. Islam begins with Abraham like Christianity and Judaism, but trace their story through second wife and son, Hagar and Ishmael, not Sarah and Isaac like the Christians and Jews. Their leader and prophet is Muhammad. The two branches of Islam are Sunni and Shiite.
The world religions of Islam and Christianity may have their differences to the naked eye, but when you take a closer look into their histories similarities arise. They both went through transformations that had drastic impacts on the way they were controlled and the way that the religion was taught to the followers. Christianity and Islam have both experienced splits between their members due to the fact that followers thought that their beliefs were the correct way to practice the religion. While these transformations are long in the past, the splits that have occurred within each religion continue to have lasting effects on Islam and Christianity to this day.
The Persians merged with Abbasid forces to overcome the Umayyads in the Middle East. The Abbasids made their laws based on the Muslim religion, so the rules were connected to religious beliefs. The name was also derived from Abbas, who was Muhammad’s uncle. This made the Abbasids Sunni, which meant that they thought anyone who followed Islam could rule.
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, bec...
I consider myself in a subcultural group of Sunnite because i am born as a part of that group but I represent the characteristics of all the other groups to make it look equal. I have seen the fact that some people have the group of Shiite and not Sunnite. and they start making differences on the basis of different groups so I try to be in the mainstream where I don't tell my specific group rather I just consider myself as a Muslim and represent equality towards everybody.
Religions Essay It is noon in the streets of Boston. Suddenly a woman gets down to her knees and prays towards the south-east direction. Meanwhile, a man in Beijing does the same, instead he prays towards the west. This scene is repeated as another and another man bends down.
Christianity and Islam are the two most prominent religions in the world. On the surface, they appear to have very little in common, however, as you get deeper into areas such as rituals, beliefs, ethics and founders, The two show strong similarities, particularly in the fundamental areas. the word "Islam" is derived from the Arabic root "Salema" which means peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, "submission" in islam, means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law. The word "christian" comes from the Greek word Christianos which is derived from the word Christos or Christ, which means anointed one.