Both Shiites and Sunnis, as all Muslims, believe in:
- The oneness of Allah (God) the one and only one God.
- The prophecy of Prophet Muhammad as Allah's Prophet and Messenger.
- The holy book Quran, as God revelation to prophet Muhammad.
- All God prophets, Angels, and holy books.
- The Day of Judgment.
- All Islam major teachings.
- Islam 5 pillars (see related question below).
Do Sunnis and Shiites have different beliefs?
Their beliefs over who should have succeeded the Prophet Muhammad is the key theological difference between the two. Sunnis also have a less elaborate religious hierarchy than Shiites have, and the two sects' interpretation of Islam's schools of law is different.
Who did the Shiites believe their leader should be?
Shiites believe that only Allah, the God of the Islam faith, can select religious leaders, and that therefore, all successors must be direct descendants of Muhammad's family. They maintain that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful heir to the leadership of the Islam religion after Muhammad's death.
What are Shiites main belief?
What do Shiites and Sunnis believe? Sunnis and Shiites share the belief that there are five pillars of Islam: (1) the unity of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad, (2) the five obligatory prayers, (3) fasting, (4) charity, and (5) the pilgrimage to Mecca.
What are the main beliefs of Shiite Muslims?
- Tawhid - the belief that God is one, almighty and unique.
- Divine justice (Adalat) - God will judge everyone on the Day of Judgement.
- The prophets (nubuwwah) - who should be respected, especially Muhammad.
- Authority of the imams (imamate) - these twelve imams were chosen by God to lead Islam after Muhammad.
What is the difference between Shiite and Sunni beliefs?
Sunnis focus on following the Prophet's example whereas Shi'a focus on the lineage of Muhammad's family through a series of Imams. Since the 1970s, and especially since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, there has been growing tension between Sunni and Shi'a communities in parts of the Middle East.
What God do Shia Muslims believe in?
AllahAlthough they are split, Sunni and Shi'a Muslims share many of the same beliefs: Allah is the one God. They regard the Holy Qur'an as the word of Allah.
Do Shia believe in God?
The three clauses of the Shīʿa version of the Shahada thus address the fundamental Islamic beliefs of Tawḥīd (unity and oneness of God), Nubuwwah (the prophethood of Muhammad), and Imamah (the Imamate, leadership of the faith).
Do Shiite believe in Muhammad?
Both Sunnis and Shiites read the Quran, the sayings of the Prophet. Both believe Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of Allah.
Can Shias marry Christians?
According to the traditional interpretation of Islamic law (sharīʿa), a Muslim man is allowed to marry a Christian or Jewish woman but this ruling doesn't apply to women who belong to other Non-Muslim religious groups, whereas a Muslim woman is not allowed to marry a Non-Muslim man of any Non-Muslim religious group.
Do Shias believe the Quran is created?
Shia. "Our belief about the Qur'an is that it is the speech of God. It has been sent by Him – it is His revelation, His book and His word. All is its Creator, Sender and Guardian..."
Are Shias counted as Muslims?
In some countries in the Middle East and North Africa with predominantly Sunni populations, such as Egypt and Morocco, the prevailing view is that Shias are not members of the Islamic faith. In Iraq and Lebanon, however, overwhelming majorities of all Muslims affirm Shias are Muslims.
Why did the Sunni and Shia split?
The divide originated with a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Islamic faith he introduced. Today, about 85 percent of the approximately 1.6 billion Muslims around the world are Sunni, while 15 percent are Shia, according to an estimate by the Council on Foreign Relations.
Do Shias pray the same as Sunni?
Sunni Muslims pray five times a day, whereas Shia Muslims can combine prayers to pray three times a day. Shia prayers can often be identified by a small tablet of clay, from a holy place (often Karbala), on which they place their forehead while bowing in prayer.
Do Shias have a different Quran?
History. The Shī'ah use the same Qur'an as Sunni Muslims, however they do not believe that it was first compiled by Uthman ibn Affan. The Shī'ah believe that the Qur'an was gathered and compiled by Muhammad during his lifetime.
What are 5 differences between Sunni and Shia?
Shiites and Sunnis pray differently: Sunnis cross their arms, while Shiites keep their arms by their sides. Sunnis observe five daily prayer sessions; Shiites condense the five prayers into three sessions. Shiites are governed by more hierarchical structures, following living religious leaders.
Was Saddam Hussein Sunni or Shia?
In the 1980s, not only was President Saddam Hussein a Sunni, but he was the vice chairman of the ruling Baath Party (Arab Socialist Resurrection). One of the two deputy prime ministers and the defense minister were also Sunnis.
What does Shia worship?
Sunni and Shia Muslims both share the same fundamental views of Islam, for instance, both groups worship Allah as God, accept Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) as the Prophet, and follow the teachings of the Quran.
What does Shia pray on?
Shia prayers can often be identified by a small tablet of clay, from a holy place (often Karbala), on which they place their forehead while bowing in prayer.
What is the second largest branch of Islam?
Shia Islam is the second largest branch of Islam: as of the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century, Shia Muslims constituted 10–15% of all Muslims. Twelver Shia is the largest branch of Shia Islam, with 2012 estimates saying that 85% of Shias were Twelvers.
How many times do Shias pray?
Shia religious practices, such as prayers, differ only slightly from the Sunnis'. While all Muslims pray five times daily, Shias have the option of combining Dhuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Isha', as there are three distinct times mentioned in the Quran. The Sunnis tend to combine only under certain circumstances.
Why is praying important in Shia?
Praying or Duʼa in Shia has an important place as Muhammad described it as a weapon of the believer. In fact, Duʼa considered as something that is a feature of Shia community in a sense. Performing Duʼa in Shia has a special ritual. Because of this, there are many books written on the conditions of praying among Shia. Most of adʼayieh transferred from Muhammad's household and then by many books in which we can observe the authentic teachings of Muhammad and his household according to Shia. The leaderships of Shia always invited their followers to recite Duʼa. For instance, Ali has considered with the subject of Duʼa because of his leadership in monotheism.
What is a Shia?
A person observing Shia Islam is called a Shi'ite or Shi'i . Shia Islam is based on Muhammad's hadith (Ghadir Khumm). Shia consider Ali to have been divinely appointed as the successor to Muhammad, and as the first Imam.
What is Jihadism?
Jihad. Jihadism. Glossary. Islam portal. v. t. e. Shia Islam or Shi'ism is one of the two main branches of Islam. It holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib as his successor and the Imam (spiritual and political leader) after him, most notably at the event of Ghadir Khumm, but was prevented from succeeding Muhammad as ...
What is the Hadith of Ghadir Khumm?
The narrations generally state that in March 632, Muhammad, while returning from his Farewell Pilgrimage along side a large number of followers and companions, stopped at the oasis of Ghadir Khumm. There, he took Ali's hand and addressed the gathering. The point of contention between different sects is when Muhammad, whilst giving his speech, gave the proclamation "Anyone who has me as his mawla, has Ali as his mawla. " Some versions add the additional sentence "O God, befriend the friend of Ali and be the enemy of his enemy."
Why is the Shahada different from the Sunnis?
The Shahada (profession of faith) of the Shia differs from that of Sunnis due to mention of Ali.
What is the difference between Shiites and Sunnis?
Another contentious religious difference between Shiite and Sunni Muslims concerns the Mahdi, which is Arabic for "guided one.". Both groups perceive the Mahdi as the sole ruler of the Islamic community. But while the Sunnis hold that the Mahdi has not yet been born and anticipate his arrival, the Shiites believe that the Mahdi was born in 869 A.D.
What do Sunnis and Shiites believe?
One thing that Sunnis and Shiites have in common is that they are the two largest denominations of the Islamic faith . Additionally, both Sunnis and Shiites believe that the Prophet Muhammad established ...
When was Mahdi born?
But while the Sunnis hold that the Mahdi has not yet been born and anticipate his arrival, the Shiites believe that the Mahdi was born in 869 A.D. and will return to Earth under Allah's orders. Most Muslims are Sunnis.
When did the schism between the two sects begin?
The schism between the two sects began after the death of Muhammad in 632 A.D., at which point a dispute over the identity of Muhammad's religious successor caused the followers of Islam to divide into Sunnis and Shiites.
Who is Muhammad's successor?
They believe that Muhammad's followers chose Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close friend and advisor, as his successor. Shiites believe that only Allah, the God of the Islam faith, can select religious leaders, and that therefore, all successors must be direct descendants of Muhammad's family. They maintain that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, ...
Who is Remy Melina?
Remy Melina. Remy Melina was a staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Hofstra University where she graduated with honors.
How many imams are there in Shia Islam?
Since there are only twelve true Imams in Shia Islam, their primary, day-to-day leadership comes from clerics. The most authoritative clerics are referred to using the title Ayatollah. Shia Islam holds core doctrines identical to those of Sunni Islam concerning the Qur’an, the nature of Allah, and the role of Muhammad.
What is Shia Islam?
Answer. Shia Islam is the second-largest denomination of Islam worldwide; it is also the state religion of Iran. Its followers are referred to as Shiites. Shia Islam is highly concentrated in the Middle East.
What is the occultation of the last imam?
According to most Shiites, the last of these imams has been hidden from the world for many centuries, a concept referred to as occultation. The main schism between Shia and Sunni Islam is the proper succession of leaders from Muhammad.
What percentage of the world's Muslims are Shia?
Overall, Shia is estimated at 10–15 percent of the global Muslim population. More than 75 percent of the world’s Muslims are Sunni, the sect typically thought of as “orthodox” Islam. This makes it more effective to describe Shia Islam according to its differences with Sunni doctrine.
What is the meaning of the term "imam"?
The term imam holds far greater significance in Shia Islam than it does to Sunnis. Imams, as defined by Shia Islam, are descendants of Muhammad endowed with a form of divine infallibility. The term is primarily applied to twelve specific men, although Shia Muslims may disagree on the identity of those twelve; in fact, ...
Is Taqiyah allowed in Shia?
Technically, some type of taqiyah is allowed under all Islamic interpretations; however, it is given much greater latitude in Shiism, probably since Shias are often persecuted by Sunnis. Shia Islam’s origins, its conflict with Sunni Islam, and its perspective on leadership are reflected in a greater degree of militancy.
Which group believes that the Islamic people should be led by a caliph?
Sunnis believe the Islamic people should be led by a caliph, a role they bestow according to merit and consensus. By that measure, Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali was the fourth to hold leadership. Shiites, on the other hand, believe authority should be passed through the household of Muhammad.
What percentage of Shias were Twelvers in 2012?
In 2012 it was estimated that perhaps 85 percent of Shias were Twelvers. Shia Islam is based on the Quran and the message of the Islamic prophet Muhammad attested in hadith recorded by the Shia, and certain books deemed sacred to the Shia ( Nahj al-Balagha ).
What are the adherents of Shia Islam called?
Adherents of Shia Islam are called Shias or the Shi'a as a collective or Shi'i individually. Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam: in 2009, Shia Muslims constituted 10–13% of the world's Muslim population. Twelver Shia ( Ithnā'ashariyyah) is the largest branch of Shia Islam.
How many successors do Shias believe in?
5. Shias believe that there are 12 successors of Prophet , first Ali and the Last among them is Mahdi..who will fill this Earth with Justice before the End of this world.
What are the three main groups of Shia Islam?
Although there are myriad Shia subsects, modern Shia Islam has been divided into three main groupings: Twelvers, Ismailis and Zaidis, with Twel ver Shia being the largest and most influential group among Shia.
How to be a good human being?
Concentrate on moral ,obey your parents,be affectionate to your brothers ,sisters and relatives and friends and be a good human being ,pray regularly and enjoy life ,make good career
What is the meaning of Shia?
For instance, let's peruse more, regarding Shia: Shia ( /ˈʃiːə/; Arabic: شيعة Shīʿah ), an abbreviation of Shia-ne-Ali, Shīʻatu ʻAlī (شيعة علي, "followers of Ali"), is a branch of Islam which holds that the Islamic prophet Muhammad 's proper successor as Caliph was his son-in-law and cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib. ...
Which religion believes only the prophets are infallible?
Sunnis believe only the prophets are infallible ( From Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus to Mohammad), totaling to about 124,000. Shias believe along with all the prophets, Prophet Muhammad’s daughter Lady Fatima, her husband Ali and eleven more Imams from their lineage are all infallible and appointed by God.
What is the Taliban?
The Taliban are Sunni Muslims and adherents to the Salafist doctrine, which looks back to the early years of Islam to understand how Muslims today should practice their faith. They reject any kind of religious innovation with one practical outworking of that being the implementation of Sharia (Islamic law).
What is the book that Nabeel Qureshi wrote about his conversion to Christianity?
In his excellent book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi chronicles his conversion from Islam to Christianity. Qureshi’s story is a good example of how many Muslim families live and pass on their faith without gifting their offspring with AK-47s and training them to hate people, but rather wisely educating and loving them and teaching that Islam is a religion of peace.
How does Qureshi describe the great divide in Islam?
Qureshi describes how this causes the great divide in Islam: “Through selective quotation, Muhammad becomes the picture-perfect prophet. ... If a Western Muslim wants to paint a peaceful portrait of Muhammad, all they have to do is quote peaceful hadith and verses of the Quran to the exclusion of the violent ones. If an Islamic extremist wants to mobilize his followers to acts of terrorism, he will quote the violent references, to the exclusion of the peaceful ones.”
What did Winston Churchill mean by the empires of the future?
Winston Churchill said decades ago, “The empires of the future are the empires of the mind.” He meant that ideas have consequences; good ideas benefit society whereas bad ideas generate negative outcomes.
Which two countries are the leaders of the two branches of Islam?
From a national perspective, Saudi Arabia and Iran are the leading powers of the two branches of Islam, with the heart of Sunni Islam being Saudi Arabia , the birthplace of Islam, and Iran being home to the Shiites.
Is Islam a religion?
Always remember that Islam, especially to groups like the Taliban, is more than a personal religion: it dictates the social and political culture as well. Of the three different Salafist categories (the quietists, activists and jihadists) the Taliban fall squarely into the third.
Who is Robin Schumacher?
Robin Schumacher is an accomplished software executive and Christian apologist who has written many articles, authored and contributed to several Christian books, appeared on nationally syndicated radio programs, and presented at apologetic events. He holds a BS in Business, Master's in Christian apologetics and a Ph.D. in New Testament. His latest book is, A Confident Faith: Winning people to Christ with the apologetics of the Apostle Paul.
Overview
Further reading
• Chelkowski, Peter J. (2010). Eternal Performance: Taziyah and Other Shiite Rituals. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-1-906497-51-4.
• Corbin, Henry (1993). History of Islamic Philosophy, translated by Liadain Sherrard and Philip Sherrard. Kegan Paul International in association with Islamic Publications for The Institute of Ismaili Studies. ISBN 978-0-7103-0416-2.
Terminology
Collectively, adherents of Shīʿa Islam are called the Shīʿah (Arabic: شِيعَة; /ˈʃiːə/), which is short for Shīʿatu ʿAlī (Arabic: شِيعَة عَلِيّ; /ˈʃiːʕatu ˈʕaliː/) meaning "followers of Ali", "faction of Ali", or "partisans of Ali"; Shīʿī (شِيعِيّ) denotes both the singular noun and the adjective form, while Shīyāʿ (شِيَاع) refers to the plural noun. Shīʿa or Shia and Shīʿīsm/Shīʿīte or Shiism/Shiite are the forms used in English and other European languages for adherents, mosques, traditions, and things associated with th…
Beliefs and practices
Shīʿa Islam is the second largest branch of Islam, followed by 10–15% of all Muslims, considered to be vast and inclusive of many different denominations and subgroups. Shīʿa Islam embodies a completely independent system of religious interpretation and political authority in the Muslim world. The original Shīʿa identity referred to the followers of Imam ʿAlī, and Shīʿa theology was for…
Demographics
It is estimated that either 10–20% or 10–13% of the global Muslim population are Shīʿas. They may number up to 200 million as of 2009. As of 1985, Shīʿa Muslims are estimated to be 21% of the Muslim population in South Asia, although the total number is difficult to estimate.
Shīʿa Muslims form a majority of the population in various regions of the Musli…
Major denominations or branches
The Shīʿa community throughout its history split over the issue of the Imamate. The largest branch are the Twelvers, followed by the Zaydīs and the Ismāʿīlīs. Each subsect of Shīʿīsm follows its own line of Imamate. All mainstream Twelver and Ismāʿīlī Shīʿa Muslims follow the same school of thought, the Jaʽfari jurisprudence, named after Jaʿfar al-Ṣādiq, the 6th Shīʿīte Imam. Shīʿīte …
History
Shīʿa Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe God chose ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib to be Muhammad's successor, infallible, the first caliph (khalīfa, head of state) of Islam. Shīʿa Muslims believe that Muhammad designated Ali as his successor by God's command (Eid Al Ghadir). ʿAlī was M…
Persecution of Shīʿa Muslims
The history of Shīʿa—Sunnī relations has often involved religious discrimination, persecution, and violence, dating back to the earliest development of the two competing sects. At various times throughout the history of Islam, Shīʿa groups and minorities have faced persecution perpetrated by Sunnī Muslims.
Militarily established and holding control over the Umayyad government, man…