Shitte or Sunni?

Question

I am curious to know what's the difference in the teachings of Shitte and Sunni muslims..

Answer 1

The differences between Sunni and Shī‘ah sects of Islam started out as political over a dispute of who should become the leader after Muhammad's death. Over time, differences have evolved in theological issues as well as socio‑political attitudes.

Immediately following the death of Muhammad in 632 C.E., the issue of who would become his successor caused a major rift. Ali and Aisha are the central figures at the origin of the Shī‘ah-Sunni split. Muhammad's daughter Fatima married Ali, her father's first cousin. Ali was opposed by Aisha, Muhammad's child-bride who was the daughter of Abu Bakr.

The term Shī‘ah ( شيعة‎) is a shortened form of Shī‘aht Ali (شيعة علي) , which means "the followers of Ali" - and at the time of Ali's death in 661 C.E., that is probably all it was: a party or tendency of people who supported Ali's claims to the caliphate. Shī‘ah do not worship Ali as some people mistakenly believe. Shī‘ah feel that Ali should have been the first caliph and that the caliphate should pass down only to direct descendants of Mohammed via Ali and Fatima, They often refer to themselves as Ahl al Bayt or "people of the house" [of the prophet]. Sunni ( سني) comes from sunna ( سنة) the Arabic word meaning traditions of the Prophet. Sunni are also referred to as Ahl ul-Sunna wa-l-Jama'ah (Arabic: أهل السنة والجماعة) (people of tradition and congregation) which implies that the Sunni are united. Shī‘ah sects include Twelvers, Ismaili, Alawi and Zaidiyyah.

Beliefs "Aqeedah" ( عقيدة) —
Sunni have two sets of enumerated creeds, the Six articles of belief and the Five Pillars of Islam. On the other hand, Shī‘ah Twelvers have the Roots of Religion and the Branches of Religion.

The six Sunni articles of belief (see Shi'ah roots) are:
o- Tawhīd ( توحيد) (monotheism) Allah is the one and only one worthy of all worship.
o- Nubuwwah (prophethood) and Rusul (messengers) sent by Allah.
o- Kutub (books) Allah (including the Qur'an)
o- Mala'ika (angels)
o- Qiyâmah (يوم القيامة) (Day of Resurrection and Judgment) (Qur'an 71.18) (Qur'an 31.34, 74.47) (Qur'an 72.130) (Qur'an 74.9) (Qur'an 74.38)
o- Qadar (fate)

The five Shī‘ah "usūl al-dīn" (roots of religion) are:
o- Tawhīd ( توحيد) (monotheism) Allah is the one and only one worthy of all worship. (Tawhid is derived from the root a,h,d = one)
o- Nubuwwah (prophethood)
o- Adalah (justice)
o- Imāmah (Leadership)
o- Qiyâmah (يوم القيامة) (Day of Judgment)
(Qur'an 71.18) (Qur'an 31.34, 74.47) (Qur'an 72.130) (Qur'an 74.9) (Qur'an 74.38).

The Sunni five Pillars of Islam:
o- Shahādah (testimony of faith)
o- Salāt (prayer) 5 times per day
o- Sawm (fasting during daylight hours of the month of Ramadan) (Qur'an 2:183-185)
o- Zakāt (alms of 2.5%) - Khums (The Charity of 20%)
o- Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)

The twelve Shī‘ah "furū al-dīn" (branches of religion) are:
o- Salāt (Prayer) includes Shahādah (testimony of faith) with belief in Ali (3-5 times per day)
o- Sawm (fasting during daylight hours of the month of Ramadan) (Qur'an 2:183-185)
o- Zakāt (Poor-rate) Khums (One-fifth)
o- Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca)
o- Jihād جهاد‎ (Struggle to please Allah)
o- Walayah - Guardianship
o- Taharah - Purity & cleanliness
o- Amr-Bil-Ma'rūf (Enjoining what is good)
o- Nahi-Anil-Munkar (Forbidding what is evil)
o- Tawalla (Loving Ahl al-Bayt and their followers )
o- Tabarra (Disassociating from the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt)

Kutub given to prophets by Allah
o- Sahífa (scroll revealed to Nuh)
o- Sahífa (scroll revealed to Ibráhím)
o- Taurat (the book revealed to Músa)
o- Zabúr (the psalms revealed to Dawúd)
o- Injíl (the gospel revealed to 'Isa)
o- Qur'án (the Koran revealed to Muhammad)

The Sunni shahada is:
لا إله إلا الله ومحمد رسول الله Lā 'ilāha 'illā llāha wa Muhammadun rasūlu llāhi
The Shi'ah shahada is:
La iláha il Alláh, Muhammadan Rasúl Alláh,
-- and the phrase -- Alíyun Walí-Alláh, Wasíyu Rasulillah, wa Khalífa tuhu bila fasl.
"There is no god but Alláh, Muhammad is the Messenger of Alláh, Alí is the friend of Alláh. Ali is the successor of the Messenger of Allah and his first caliph."

Ashura ( عاشوراء‎) - 10th of Muharram (January 29, 2007):
The 1st of Muharram is New Year's Day, and with it marks the beginning of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. Both Sunni and Shī‘ah celebrate New Year. Shī‘ah practice Maatam (self-flagellation) is practiced on Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, in a mourning ritual for Hussain ibn Ali. Sunni consider this to be haram (forbidden).

Since the 10th century, a distinctive institution of Shī‘ah Islam is the doctrine of "imamah" and "`ismah" (the spiritual leadership of the twelve Imams and their infallibility) the other dogmata developed still later. Shī‘ah argue that a person prone to errors of judgement and sin cannot lead people spiritually. On the other hand, Sunni consider an imam to be merely a prayer leader.

Sunni recognize four "madhab" (مذهب pl. مذاهب ) schools of legal thought. The founder is called the "muhaddith".
--o Hanafi (founded by An Numan ibn Thabit Abu Hanifa ca. 700-67 C.E.)
--o Maliki (founded by Abd Allah Malik ibn Anas ca. 715-95 C.E.)
--o Shafi'i (founded by Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi`i 767-820 C.E.)
--o Hanbali (founded by Ahmad ibn Muhammad bin Hanbal 780-855 C.E.)

Shī‘ah generally follow
--o Jafri (founded by Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Husayn)

Sunni accepted "ijtihad" as an important source of legislation, but they had practically blocked the road for any original thinking on the matters of reframing the laws in accordance with changing times. The Shī‘ah, with their emphasis on "`aql", kept the door of new thinking on legislation open, and they gave much scope to reason for exercising its power. Similarly the notion of "ijma`" (consensus), which was emphasized much by the Sunnis and was given only a very minor role to play in legislation by the Shī‘ah, came to be accepted as the basis of democratization by Shī‘ah scholars.

So far as the justification of "taqiyyah" (dissimulation) is concerned, the Islamic scholar Amini admits that the Sunni also follow it for it is an expedient method to ensure the survival of a faith under hostile regimes.

According to the Islamic scholar, Hamid Enayet, Sunni believe in the inherent goodness of man, whereas Shī‘ah believe that man is essentially sinful and carries a sense of guilt.

Shī‘ah divorce and inheritance in that it is more favorable to women than Sunni practice. Supposedly the reason for this is the high esteem in which Fatima, the wife of Ali and the daughter of Muhammad, was held. Shī‘ah recognize the practice of "muttah" ( نكاح المتعة‎ ) (fixed-term temporary marriage) which the Sunni forbid.

On a practical daily level, the "adhan" (call to prayer) is different for Shī‘ah and Sunni. Each practice wudu (partial ablutions) ghusl (full ablutions for Friday prayer) and salat (prayer) differently. During salat when prostrating, Shī‘ah place the forehead onto a piece of hardened clay from Karbala, not directly onto the prayer mat, whereas Sunni put their forehead directly on the prayer mat. During prayer, Shī‘ah hold their hands at their sides whereas Sunni fold their hands. Shī‘ah tend to combine prayers, sometimes worshipping three times per day instead of five as the Sunni do.

Shī‘ah also have some different ahadith and prefer those narrated by Ali and Fatima to those related by other companions of the Prophet. Because of her opposition to Ali, those narrated by Aisha count among the least favored.

These differences are significant as evidenced by the conflict between Sunni and Shī‘ah in Iraq.

Significant differences are also in manner of dress for clerics, slightly different postures for prayer and differences regarding belief in the "mahdi" (divinely guided one of endtimes) and "dajjal" (antichrist).

Other differences are because of the culture in the country where they live. Iran is predominantly Shī‘ah and many of the clerics in Iraq were trained in Iran. Almost all Iranians were Sunni for many centuries, and they embraced the Shī‘ah faith on mass scale only after Safawids came in power (1502 C.E.)

In 1928, four years after the abolishment of the caliphate, the Egyptian schoolteacher Hasan al-Banna founded the first Islamic fundamentalist movement in the Sunni world, the Muslim Brotherhood (al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun). Al-Banna was appalled by "the wave of atheism and lewdness [that] engulfed Egypt" following World War I.

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Answer 2

Your curiosity may be increased by this answer that there is No Difference in the fundamentals of these two Muslim groups. Unlike the fundamental differences that exist among Catholics, Protestants and the Orthodox. The Muslim fundamentals are: A Belief in 1.Allah the Unique and the One; 2. in all the Angels; 3. in all the Holy Books; 4. in all the Holy Prophets; 5. in Life after death--- and the accountability on deeds of this life; that is destiny.
What are the differences then? Mainly political. On capitulation, the Iranians accepted the New Faith(as it was too close to the pristine teachings of the Prophet Zarathustra) but they rejected the culture of the conquering Arabs. The Iranians developed their own religious jurisprudence based of course on their own interpretations for which they have strong arguments. Thus there have been differences ever since on 'minor' issues or non-issues. The Shia and the Sunni can and do pray together, read the same Quran, can intermarry and socially interact. In Makkah and Madina, they join together in congregational prayers. The minor priests among the Shia and Sunni think and proclaim that the 'minor' differences are infact 'major', to suit their personal whim.
Thanks for a sober question.

Answer 3

To begin there is no such word as shiite. the most accurate transliteration is "Shiia." I'm not sure why, but western media felt the need to alter that. After the Prophet (saw) passed away there was debate about who lead Islam. Some people chose to follow his cousin Hazrat Ali (sa) Others chose to follow a great friend of the Prophets named Omar..... as well as other caliphs that succeeded him. Both were pious men in the inner circle of Prophet Muhammad (saw). There is no need to declare one bad and disrespect that man's memory.... only decide what is your personal belief.
Just so you are aware, the distinctions between specifics practices between these two sects are not very large with the exclusion of the month of Muharram. If you would like you can contact me through yahoo answers and i will give you some of the differences.

I hope this helps

God Bless
**Ramadan Mubarak

Answer 4

It's sort of like Catholics and Protestants we are both Christian but we don't see things quite the same and we can get a little sh'itty with each other now and then. The Shitte and Sunni are both Muslims and they are both a little sh'itty all the time. God bless kisses Betty.

Answer 5

Mainly, Sunnis believe any decent muslim man can be the
Supreme Ruler of Islam, they used to call the Caliphe. Shia
believe the Caliphe must be a descendent of the bloodline
of The Prophet Muhammad.
There is also a Sufi branch of Islam which is a mystical branch.
I recently read in TIME magazine there are a few other branches
of followers of Islam. I don't recall their names.

Answer 6

according to all of accurate and correct sources, it was mentioned ere The Great Muhammad's passing by himself that the leader the Muslims must be Emam Ali after me, however it was ignored by three leader before Ali due to power. they're foes of Islum but for integration of Muslims, especially at this important and significant period of time we had better be all together to fight against the enemies and foes of Allah and Islum.
by the way, thing that they were refered to, were all the result of my reseraches not the result of being sentimental.

Answer 7

just to say a word. There shouldn't be anything said about any other religion in the world...even Muslim and Islamic faiths have different values and some meanings. So you see...not everyone can be right...

Answer 8

sunni is the pure and original version of islam .. shii evolved wrongly from islam after prophet muhammad .. because no one can say that muhammad was a shii ..
some shii's are muslims .. but some of them claiming Ali as a god .. and some of them thinking that ali should be the prophet not muhammad .. shortly shii is wrog version of islam ..

Answer 9

in simple words
sunnie
is following orders of our messenger and also his follows (salf saleh) and they respect Ali bn Abi Taleb as one of messenger follow
but
shiaa
they don't respect them which is bad thing
and they raiseing Ali more than what he deserve
they make some changes in the quraan between them
there are many kinds of them
most of them are bad in their faith
some ppl say they still muslims
other say they r out of islam

Answer 10

sunni are good shitte are bad

Answer 11

Both Shia and Sunni believe on God and Prophet Mohammad (s.a.).
Shia believes on Ghadir event. In Ghadir Khoom place prophet Mohammad (s.a) introduced Ali ibn abi taleb as his successor. This event occurred in the last year of Mohammad's (s.a) life when he came back from his last haj. The Prophet (s.a.) held up the hand of 'Ali and said "For whoever I am his Leader (mawla), 'Ali is his Leader (mawla)." Immediately after the Prophet (s.a.) finished his speech, the following verse of Holy Quran was revealed:
"Today I have perfected your religion and completed my bounty upon you, and I was satisfied that Islam be your religion." (Quran 5:3)
Some of the Sunni leaders mention this event and confirmed it. Some of the Sunni references:
(1) Sahih Tirmidhi, v2, p298, v5, p63
(2) Sunan Ibn Maja, v1, pp 12,43
(3) Khasa'is, by al-Nisa'i, pp 4,21
(4) al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, v2, p129, v3, pp 109-110,116,371
(5) Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v1, pp 84,118,119,152,330, v4, pp 281,368,370,
372,378, v5, pp 35,347,358,361,366,419 (from 40 chains of narrators)
(6) Fada'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, pp 563,572
(7) Majma' al-Zawa'id, by al-Haythami, v9, p103 (from several transmitters)
(8) Tafsir al-Kabir, by Fakhr al-Razi, v12, pp 49-50
(9) Tafsir al-Durr al-Manthur, by al-Hafiz Jalaluddin al-Suyuti, v3, p19
(10) Tarikh al-Khulafa, by al-Suyuti, pp 169,173
(11) al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah, by Ibn Kathir, v3, p213, v5, p208
(12) Usdul Ghabah, by Ibn Athir, v4, p114
(13) Mushkil al-Athar, by al-Tahawi, v2, pp 307-308
(14) Habib al-Siyar, by Mir Khand, v1, part 3, p144
(15) Sawaiq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar al-Haythami, p26
(16) al-Isabah, by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, v2, p509; v1, part1, p319,
v2, part1, p57, v3, part1, p29, v4, part 1, pp 14,16,143
(17) Tabarani, who narrated from companions such as Ibn Umar, Malik Ibn
al-Hawirath, Habashi Ibn Junadah, Jari, Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas,
Anas Ibn Malik, Ibn Abbas, Amarah,Buraydah,...
(18) Tarikh, by al-Khatib Baghdadi, v8, p290
(19) Hilyatul Awliya', by al-Hafiz Abu Nu'aym, v4, p23, v5, pp26-27
(20) al-Istiab, by Ibn Abd al-Barr, Chapter of word "ayn" (Ali), v2, p462
(21) Kanzul Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, pp 154,397
(22) al-Mirqat, v5, p568
(23) al-Riyad al-Nadirah, by al-Muhib al-Tabari, v2, p172
(24) Dhaka'ir al-Uqba, by al-Muhib al-Tabari, p68
(25) Faydh al-Qadir, by al-Manawi, v6, p217
(26) Yanabi' al-Mawaddah, by al-Qudoozi al-Hanafi, p297
... And many more..

Most of the Prophet's companions admitted this event and also Sunni references mentioned this but ppl don't know and don't search deeply about this. From Ghadir event to now, some kings and leaders try to conceal this matter as it may harm their power and wealth.
I suggest you all to search deeply about Shia believes in RELIABLE sources

for more info you can check the source: