FOR MUSLIMS: Shiias and Sunnies?

Question

What's the difference between them both, and why are they killing each other? What are the differences in their beliefs?

Answer 1

The fact that groups designated as "Shia" and "Sunni" are engaged in violence in Iraq has little to do with the different beliefs. A large number of Arabs, including Iraqis, are not devout Muslims; rather, they simply follow their culture, personal greed, lust for power, etc.

As far as the differences in beliefs: the Shia belief is that guidance is found in the Quran and the family of the Prophet, primarily the 12 Imams. Sunnis, for political reasons, declined to follow the Imams from the family of the Prophet; instead, they chose their own imams (four of them are considered to have begun/influenced Sunni schools of though that have remained until this day).

Shia do not believe that there is prophethood after Muhammad. The Quran clearly states that Muhammad is the Seal of the Prophets. Ali is his most devoted follower and most capable leader after the Prophet.

It is important to establish unity among the Muslims. Divisions in matters of belief do not lead to disunity and murder; what leads to disunity and murder is darkness in the hearts and the desire for wealth and power.

Hopeful, the tragedy being inflicted on the people of Palestine and Lebanon will soften hearts among the Muslim community and lead to an increased desire for unity and justice.

Answer 2

Thank you for your question.

As far as the differences go, there is very little difference in terms of the faith.

The main difference started when the companions of the Prophet Muhammed (saw) were deciding who should take over as the leader of the believers after he (saw) died.

What we now call Shiia believes that the leader of the faithful can only be a descendant of Muhammad (saw) or, I think, a member of his family, such as was Ali. Sunni's do not hold to this restriction, but rather an educated person, originally from the group of close companions who chose whom they thought was the best amongst them. (Personally I think it should have been Aisha, but that's another story.)

Both of these positions are fairly well diluted now, 1427 years later, when we are far from having anyone in a direct lineage from him (saw) nor are we in any way as "good" as those close companions. I wonder if any of them were alive today would they recognize what is practiced in most parts of the world as Islam?

As far as why they are fighting, this has nothing to do with the religion, although those that foment the fighting do so for their own personal gain. They convince the masses that this is support of their religion and lead them into these battles.

This is the same of any war. Do you really think the man or woman on the street wants to go to war? But leaders must hold on to power and so they exploit whatever differences they can to convince people of the evil nature of the "other"

Muslim brothers and sisters, it is time to put this fighting away! It weakens our deen and it lays our Ummah open and vulnerable.

And Allah knows best.

Peace and Blessings,

Salim

Answer 3

The main difference between sunnies and shiites is the fact they believe that the prophethood was "supposed" to be given to Ali (raa) who is a relative of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). even though they do believe in prophet Mohammed and his teachings at some points they argue that Ali was more eligible for the prophethood.

Sunnies (the majority and based enitirely on Quran and the prophets teachings) give utmost respect to Ali but after the fact the prophet Mohammed is the messenger of Allah and Ali used to be a strong believer of this fact.

A muslim becomes invalid and out of islam if he disbelieves any of the 2 facts that there is only one god and prophet Mohammed is his messenger

Answer 4

Grand Pa',
Well, I'll say this for both of them; they sure know how to get on everybodys good side! lol

I think the difference is the Shiites have money for airplane tickets. And the Sunni's are local yokels.

Answer 5

Different in their poltical view
They consider Ali r.a. suppose to be the first caliph not Abu Bakar r.a as chosen by the people durng those time

http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm

For matrix guy above- your statement is slanderous, i dont think u r a muslim.Im a sunni,but i've never heard of shia claiming Ali suppose to hav the prophethood.

Answer 6

The word "Shia" ability follower. Shias are the followers of Ali (as). Shiaism and Sunnism began after the loss of life of the Prophet (saww). On His final Hajj, at a place called Ghadeer-e-Khum, the Prophet (saww) nominated Ali (as) to be His successor. He pronounced, "Whomsoever's chief i'm, Ali (as) is likewise his chief". After the loss of life, and evn till now the burial of the Prophet (saww), Abu Bakr, Umar and Usman have been given together at a house called Saqifa. There, they unanamously elected Abu Bakr by using fact the 1st Caliph. people who established the nomination of Ali (as) with the aid of the Prophet (saww) as his successor got here to be prevalent by using fact the Shias of Ali (as), and people who established Abu Bakr as their first Caliph are prevalent as Sunnis. Ali is the 1st Imam (chief) of Shias, and he's observed with the aid of 11 extra who have been additionally nominated interior an identical way. those 12 Imams are infallible and the custodians and interpreters of the Quran, in accordance to Shias. The institutions of Caliphate and Imamate are the biggest distinction between Sunnis and Shias. the rationalization why we call ourselfs Shias is via the fact we could desire to tell apart ourselves from what we've faith is the falsehood. i'm not a Shia by using fact of my mum and dad. My Mums a Sunni and my Dads a Shia. i've got faith that Shiaism is the certainty, that's why I call myself a Shia intstead of a Sunni. i don't hate Sunnis. we are all Muslims yet there are some transformations. We follow distinctive Hadith, so as that's why we've distinctive procedures of praying and Wudhu, as that's not defined intimately interior the Quran. The Quran says that the companion and teenagers of the Prophet (saww) is organic. The Prophet (saww) himself chosen Ali (as) as his successor. that's why they're specific.

Answer 7

there is no differnet b/w dem.we all muslims agree n accept the main duties of islam like in one ALLAH ,Prophet(pbuh) last messnger,5 time prayers,ZAKAT,soam(fast) Haj etc.we dun have any conflict in these duties.these r bais of islam.shias n shunnies conflict is not much imp, the thing wich take dese ppl to kill each other is their brain washing:(((((some selfish group doing all these to get fame n spread hatred among us:(((
ba not all muslims r believing in these thing some group of muslim do all dis.n these lunatics dun know how thy defaming islam bcoz of their ignorance.in short we dun have any conflict on our main duties n baisic rules of islam.

Answer 8

They are the muslim version of the Hatfield and the McCoys

Answer 9

hey. I'm muslim! Shiias are more extremist. hope that helps :)