Islam is one of the largest religions in the world that is based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad who is perceived as a messenger of Allah (Emerick, 2002). The Muslims have a number of principles that guide the in their Islamic religion. Some of the guidelines include the five pillars of Islam, the basic ethics of Islam and the Quran which is the Islamic sacred book. Islam is however, divided into a number of sects. Two major sects of Islam; Sunni and Shia are the majority sects and are therefore discussed herein
Historical facts that lead to Islamic divisions into sects
Islamic religion was in harmony until the year 632AD when the schism within the religion emerged due to the death of the Muslim’s Prophet Mohammad (Williams, 2008). The plans to succeed the prophet as a Caliph of the Muslims broke out across different regions of the world. The disputes began to spread equally as the succession plans leading to the clashes of Jamal and the clashes of Siffin. The disputes worsen after the clushes of Karbala that lead to the killing of Hussein ibn Ali and his family was murdered by the Umayyad; Caliph Yazidi who was in power. The need for revenge took offer the Islamic community leading to the divisions into various sects where Sunni and shia became the majority. Most of those that demanded justice for Hussein ibn Ali made up the Sunni sect and the rest spread with majority becoming the Shia (Williams, 2008).
Basic beliefs of the Sunni sect of Islam
Sunni as the name of the sect was adapted from the word Sunnah meaning tradition. The followers of this sect believe that they stick to the real teachings and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (Williams, 2008). Sunni sect abides to the four schools of thought to practices Islam as they interpret the Islamic laws. The four schools of thought include; Maliki, Hanafi, the Hanbali and the Shafi’i. In interpreting the laws of Islam, other Muslims believe that that basis of the interpretation should be only one of the above thoughts while others believe that the interpretation should based on all the four teachings. The four schools are described bellow;
The Hanafi was founded by the Imam Abu Hanifah al-Nu man ibn Thabit; a scholar from Persia. This school of thought is practiced by most of the Sunni Muslims in Southeast Asia and Turkey.
The Shai’I was founded by Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Idris al-Shafi’i who is also referred to as the “First among Equals” due to his comprehensive knowledge and logical approach to the religious science. This thought is mostly observed by the Sunni Muslims in the Middle East.Maliki was founded by Malik Bin Anas and the followers are mostly from the Northern Africa and Saudi (Amelia & Molaei, 2012). Hanbali was founded by Imam Ibn Hanbal. This school of thought is believed to be strictly keeping the traditions of Islam. It is observed mostly in Syria, Qatar and Iraq
The Shia Islamic community and their basic beliefs
The followers of this sect are the followers of Ali; Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law. The followers of this sect believe that Ali should have succeeded the prophet as they consider him as the delightfully appointed first Imam the three schools of thought that are the basis of the Shia’s beliefs are as follows;
The Ithna ashariyya also known as Twelvers . Supporters of this group put stock in the 12 supernaturally appointed pioneers, knows as the Twelve Imams. About 85% of the aggregate Shi’a population follows this sect (Williams, 2008). They are scattered in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Syria. A substantial minority aggregate is found in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The Isma’ilis branch or as generally known as the Seveners: Unlike the Twelvers, they have faith in various numbers of Imams. They likewise contrast in the part of the Imam. The Isma’ili minorities are found in Syria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and South Africa.
The Zaydi branch: This school of thought was named after its author Zayd Ibn Ali. They are mainly pervasive in Yemen. They have a one of a kind approach inside the Shi’a Islamic imagined that is like the Sunni Islam (Amelia & Molaei, 2012). Disciples to this branch are known as the Fivers.
Shia Muslims abide by one guideline school of thought: Jafariya. They trust that the Imam exists to give ethical and religious initiative to the world. These Imams have been delegated by God. Apart from the Qur’an, Shia Islamic sect honors the Nahj al-Balagha book which is a gathering of the sermons by their first Imam.
Similarities between the Sunnis and Shias
Sunnis and Shi’a are closely related except that their differences are brought in by political factors and less of doctrine. There are no closed minded contrasts between the two factions. Both, Sunnis are monotheistic in that they worship one God referred to as Allah in Arabic or Tawhid. Both sects also believe in the existence of the angels, sacred writings, prophets and God’s Messengers, the great beyond, and the celestial pronouncement fate (Williams, 2008). The two sects also share a similar sacred text, called the Qur’an.
In honing their religion, the two sects observe the Five Pillars of Islam which give the structure to regular day to day Islamic life. These pillars include: affirming the presence of just a single God and Muhammad as his prophet, participating five daily, engaging in charitable activities, fasting amid Ramadan, and making the pilgrimage to Makkah (Mecca). Amid every day prayers, the two sects pray while facing the Mecca.
These two orders likewise trust that the reason for human life is to give praises to God with the goal that one day the doors of Paradise will open for them.
Differences between Sunni and Shia Islam
The followers of the Sunni sect trust that their prophet Muhammad did not name a particular successor before his demise. After a number of years of considerable, Sunni supporters picked one of Muhammad’s fathers-in-law and a dear companion, Abu Bakr Siddique, as their religious leader. Sunnis trust that the Imam; a vital position among the Muslim religion is the essential leader of prayers (Williams, 2008). They additionally apply the lessons of the Qur’an to all of life and trust that people can approach God straightforwardly through prayers and that they will see God during the Day of Judgment.
Unlike the Sunnis, the followers of the Shia sect strongly trust that their Prophet; Mohammad appointed Ali ibn Abi Talib who was also his son in law to succeed Him. They also believe that the Imams are the key elements who lead the Islamic community and Symbolize God. Shia depends more on the religious leaders to interpret the Quran than their own interpretation. They believe that the Imams and other clerics are closer to God that other normal believers. They also don’t believe in seeing God during the judgment day.
The ancient divisions between Islam followers have prompted extra particular contrasts between the two sects. After some time, the Shia started to give more significance to particular Hadith and Sunnah writing inclining towards those that were composed by family and close partners of the Prophet (Williams, 2008). The Sunni however gave a similar significance to all Islamic writing. This distinction has made an alternate comprehension of the Laws of Islam between the two sects. The followers of the shia sect pay visits and show respect to the shrines of the late Imams, Saints and ancient scholar; an act that the Sunni followers perceive as blasphemy just like worshiping other gods.
The differences between the shia and the Sunni followers can also be noted during praying by noting their positions. The Shia pose in a way that their foreheads come in touch with a bare earth or a block of clay sourced from a sacred place. On the other hand, the Sunnis pray as they knell such that their forehead comes into conduct with their prayer mat.
Dissimilarity between Sunni and shia exists in the leadership roles in the mosques and general administrations. The shia sect has a well established hierarchical order of the clergies. The leaders with a deep insight in studies are considered more competent and can administer worldwide and they fund their religious schools through compulsory taxes. in contrast, the Sunnis do not observe any hierarchy in their leadership structure and that they are widely spread worldwide therefore their good number allows them to fund their on institutions without
Current state of affairs between Shia and Sunni Islamic sects
The current relationship between the Shias and Sunnis is still tensional. In the places where the majority of the population is Sunnis, the Shias live poorly. They believe that their poor conditions of living are due the continuous oppressive treatment from their fellow Muslims of the Sunni sect. the Sunnis who practice extreme cultures believe that Shias heretics who deserve no life and therefore should be killed (Amelia & Molaei, 2012)
Currently, Iran has laid down national guidelines that give support to Shia military groups and political parties in other Nation. As a way to retaliate, the countries headed by the Sunnis who view the Shias strategies as s thread to their interests increase funds to their interests worldwide.
According to Amelia & Molaei (2012), the conflict between the Sunni and the Shia sects in Syria is complex and purely happens along their borderlines. The Sunnis in Syria are the majority however the Shias are the ones in the government. The Syrian government therefore has been facing a severe opposition from the Sunnis. The Iranian government has therefore been supplying weapons; militia and troops to Syria to enable the Shia government fight the Sunnis who keep attacking the Shia worshiping places and populations including Iraq whose population is majorly Shia.
Most of the Muslim leaders have started to discourage the violence that exists between the two rivaling sects and encourage harmony. The leaders claim that those wars will only weaken the Muslim nation and destroy the otherwise good religion (Amelia & Molaei, 2012).