An Overview about Shia Sunni differences

7/29/2019 An Overview about Shia Sunni differences

1/5

www.shiasunni.info

1

An Overview about Shia Sunni differences

Shia-Sunni are the two major schools of thought (main sects) in Islam. Webelieve Shia and Sunni both are Muslims, none of them is out of Islam.Both are holding two different interpretations on several issues. Howeverthere are lots of similarities between Sunni and Shia.

We strongly believe that If anyone let the Shia Sunni brothers fight witheach other, he is not serving Islam. This is against the teachings of Islam.

As we have already acknowledged above that Shias and Sunnis are holdingtwo different interpretations on some issues. It is important to have arealistic and knowledgeable look in to those matters. Otherwise therewould be lots of misunderstandings and misconceptions about eachother.

We believe in love and peace between Shia Sunni, at the same time we donot want to put the truth under the rock. We believe to present anddiscuss those differences in a respectable manner.

In our articles, we have presented this reality that Shia is real Islam. Wegave references from holy Quran and Bukhari/Muslim (two authenticbooks of Ahadith). We tried our best to use respectable and politewordings because our goal is to convey the real teachings of Islam, not tohurt others.

In this article we will have a short review on Shia Sunni differences

Some people especially new converts do not have much idea about it; theyeven think that there is no sect in Islam. Some people have informationthat there are two sects exist in Islam, Shia and Sunni.

There are many converted Muslims who were introduced to the reality ofIslam. They accepted Islam and called themselves as Sunni Muslims. Theywere introduced to Wahhabi /Salafi Saudi branded Islam. They accepted iton the name of Quran, But actually they are Wahhabi.


2/5

www.shiasunni.info

2

There are so many differences between Sunni Islam and Wahhabi schoolsof thought. Wahhabi religion was just established in 1737 by MohamadIbne Abdul Wahab. This religion was officially introduced by Saudi Govtbacked up by British Govt.

Extremism and terrorism spreaded out in the whole world using the nameof Islam. Actually this is Wahhabism and not even Sunni Islam. Theydeclare other sects of Islam as Kafir and Mushrik.

Wahhabism ultimately gives benefit to anti-Islamic forces who want todamage the image of Islam and want to make Muslim Ummah weaker.

There are lot more to discover within Islam to find out the right path ofIslam.

Here we would like to share some website links about Wahhabism, this willhelp to know more how Wahhabi sect was created by British, and thedifferences between Sunni school of thought and Wahhabis. 1-http://qa.sunnipath.com 2- http://surrenderingislam.com

In this article we want to provide a clear guidance for our Sunni brothers

and sisters to help them to understand the fundamental differencesbetween Shia and Sunni.

It is always recommended to focus on basic ideology of any school ofthought to get the true information about that religion or sect.

For example if someone wants to make a research about Islam. If thatperson will spend his time on these issues like why Muslims eat Halal meat(kosher food)? Why Muslims have 5 prayers a day? Why not they shouldhave weekly prayers? Why not Muslims should have once in a while fastingrather than fasting whole month continuously?

By focusing on these issues the person can have only superficial or partialknowledge about Islam. But if someone focuses on the basic andfundamental ideology of Islam he/she can get the true information.

The core belief of Islam is to believe in one God, the creator of the universe

who sent his messengers to guide the humanity. Prophet Mohammad


3/5

www.shiasunni.info

3

(pbuh) is the last messenger. There is Day of Judgment; there is rewardand punishment for good and bad.

If someone wants to prove about Islam, If Islam is right or wrong! that

person should discuss about these fundamental belief of Islam to knowthe clear picture of Islam.

For those people who want to make a research about Shia Sunnidifferences. We recommend them to focus on the fundamental ideology ofShia- Sunni School of thoughts.

Those core beliefs which separate from Shia to Sunni, needs to be

addressed in order to have clear picture about these two sects.

We suggest for our Muslim brothers and sisters to focus on these twoideologies: on which Shia- Sunni are not agreeing with each other. Thebuilding of Shia- Sunni sect is based on these two fundamental beliefs.

1 The successorship of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Shias believe thatthere are 12 successors (12 Imams) after Prophet Mohammad (pbuh),while Sunnis believe that the prophet did not appoint any successor,

there are 4 caliphs.

2 Shia-Sunni opinion about the companions of the prophet is a veryimportant to discuss.

Sunnis believe that all of the companions of the Prophet are righteous andon justice. The companions of the Prophet are the authentic source tolearn Islam after the Prophet.

Shias do not believe that all companions are authentic and righteous.There are special people who are the authority in Islam after the Prophet.

Please find our articles on these differences.

May Allah (swt) guide those who seek for truth and send your blessings toholy prophet Mohammad and his Ahlalbait.


4/5

www.shiasunni.info

4

Sunnah Shia (or Shi'ah)

Adherents called Sunnis Shiites, Shi'i

Meaning of name "well-trodden path" or "tradition" "party" or "partisans" of Ali a.s

Current adherents 940 million 120 million

Percentage of totalMuslims

90% 10%

Primary locations Most Muslim countries Iran, Iraq, Yemen

Sub sects Hanafis,Shafis,Malikis,HamblisIthna 'Ashariyah (Twelvers; the

largest),

Originsc. 632 CE; theology developed

especially in 10th cent.After Death of Prophet

Muhammad (PBUH)

Did Muhammaddesignate a successor?

no yes

True successor of theProphet

Abu Bakr,'Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of theProphet's daughter Fatimah a.s

(designated by the Prophet)

Qualifications for ruler ofIslam

Tribe of the Prophet (Quraysh);later, any qualified ruler

family of the Prophet

Current leaders Government Ruler Mujtahids

Identity of imams human leadersinfallible manifestations of Godand perfect interpreters of the

Qur'an

Al Mahdi will come in the futureWas already on earth, willreturn at the end of time

Religious authority other ijma' (consensus) of the Muslim Infallible imams


5/5

www.shiasunni.info

5

than the Qu'ran community

Concealing faith for self-protection (taqiya)

affirmed under certaincircumstances

Emphasized

Temporary marriage(mut'ah)

practiced in the Prophet's time,but now rejected,Misyar & Urfi

In saudiastill practiced

Holy cities Mecca, Medina, JerusalemMecca, Medina, Jerusalem,

Najaf, Karbala

Major holidays Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr,Ashura

Documents

An Overview about Shia Sunni differences