Variations in Islam: Shi'ia, Sunni Flashcards
What is the second largest Muslim sect/variation and what does its name mean?
Shi’ia, account for 10-20% of Muslims. Means “supporters of Ali” or “partisans of Ali”
What do Shi’ites believe in? (ali/caliphs)
Believe Muhammad’s descendants, through divine right, not human selection, are the best suited to lead the Muslim community. Believe that Ali should have been appointed Caliph straight after Muhammad’s death. Do not recognise the first three Caliphs and accept only Ali as their legitimate heir.
What are the ritual observances in Shi’ia?
The Shi’a population observes the celebration on the 10th day of the Lunar month of Muharram - The festival of Remembrance or “Ashura”.
This date remembers the death of Hussein and Hussan at the battle of Karbala (680CE)
Shi’a Muslims gather in Mosques or at the shrine of Hussein in Karbala and properly mourn. It is a day of intense sadness and regret.
What do the Shi’ia believe about Ali and his heirs?
Shi’ite Muslims believe Ali was Vice Regent of Allah and his successors are infallible (cannot commit sin or mistakes) and are sinless interpreters of the Qur’an.
What is the largest Muslim sect and what does its name stand for?
The word “Sunni” comes from the word “Sunna” which means ‘the practices of the community at large’ or ‘generally accepted practices of Muhammad and early Muslims. Sunnis account for 80-90% of Muslims.
What do the Sunni believe in?
Accept the authority of the 4 Rightly-Guided Caliphs & their community-appointed successors (includes Ali). Accept Muhammad as the last of the Prophets and the Qur’an was the final revelations of Allah, therefore the Caliph could only have responsibilities as the Guardian and administrator of faith in accordance with the Qur’an and practices of the Prophet.
What are their different views in authority?
Sunni believe authority lies within the community in democratic structures. Do not believe their leaders are divine and no special status is given to Muhammad’s family. In Shi’ite views, authority does not reside in the community but in the divinely ordained leader or Imam (religious teacher) who is the direct descendant of Muhammad.
Why did the split emerge between the two sects?
The division occurred due to infighting when Muhammad died. Shi’ia believed leadership should have gone to Ali originally as they believed leadership should be hereditary, dynastic and stayed with Muhammad’s family. The Sunni disagreed with Ali’s appointment to Caliph as they believed he gained support from those responsible for Uthman’s murder.
