what is the difference between shiites and shia muslims?

Answer 1

shiite = shia

Answer 2

Shi'ite is an adjective meaning anything relating to the Shia sect of Islam. People are Shia, temples or holidays would be shiite.

Answer 3

Muhammad’s Death Leads to Division

17 The prophet’s death provoked a crisis. He died without any male progeny and without a clearly designated successor. As Philip Hitti states: “The caliphate [office of caliph] is therefore the oldest problem Islam had to face. It is still a living issue. . . . In the words of Muslim historian al-Shahrastani [1086-1153]: ‘Never was there an Islamic issue which brought about more bloodshed than the caliphate (imamah).’” How was the problem solved back there in 632 C.E.? “Abu-Bakr . . . was designated (June 8, 632) Muhammad’s successor by some form of election in which those leaders present at the capital, al-Madinah, took part.”—History of the Arabs.

18 The successor to the prophet would be a ruler, a khalifah, or caliph. However, the question of the true successors to Muhammad became a cause for divisions in the ranks of Islam. The Sunni Muslims accept the principle of elective office rather than blood descent from the prophet. Therefore they believe that the first three caliphs, Abu Bakr (Muhammad’s father-in-law), `Umar (the prophet’s adviser), and `Uthman (the prophet’s son-in-law), were the legitimate successors to Muhammad.

19 That claim is contested by the Shi`ite Muslims, who say that the true leadership comes through the prophet’s blood line and through his cousin and son-in-law, `Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first imam (leader and successor), who married Muhammad’s favorite daughter, Fatimah. Their marriage produced Muhammad’s grandsons Hasan and Husayn. The Shi`ites also claim “that from the beginning Allah and His Prophet had clearly designated `Ali as the only legitimate successor but that the first three caliphs had cheated him out of his rightful office.” (History of the Arabs) Of course, the Sunni Muslims view that differently.

20 What happened to `Ali? During his rule as the fourth caliph (656-661 C.E.), a struggle over leadership arose between him and the governor of Syria, Mu`awiyah. They joined battle, and then to spare further Muslim bloodshed, they threw their dispute open to arbitration. `Ali’s acceptance of arbitration weakened his case and alienated many of his followers, including the Khawarij (Seceders), who became his deadly foes. In the year 661 C.E., `Ali was murdered with a poisoned sabre by a Khariji zealot. The two groups (the Sunni and the Shi`ah) were at loggerheads. The Sunni branch of Islam then chose a leader from the Umayyads, wealthy Meccan chiefs, who were outside of the prophet’s family.

21 For the Shi`ah, `Ali’s firstborn, Hasan, the prophet’s grandson, was the true successor. However, he resigned and was murdered. His brother Husayn became the new imam, but he too was killed, by Umayyad troops on October 10, 680 C.E. His death or martyrdom, as the Shi`ah view it, has had a significant effect on the Shi`at `Ali, the party of `Ali, down to this day. They believe that `Ali was the true successor to Muhammad and the first “imam [leader] divinely protected against error and sin.” `Ali and his successors were considered by the Shi`ah to be infallible teachers with “the divine gift of impeccability.” The largest segment of the Shi`ah believe that there have been only 12 true imams, and the last of these, Muhammad al-Muntazar, disappeared (878 C.E.) “in the cave of the great mosque at Samarra without leaving offspring.” Thus “he became ‘the hidden (mustatir)’ or ‘the expected (muntazar) imam.’ . . . In due time he will appear as the Mahdi (divinely guided one) to restore true Islam, conquer the whole world and usher in a short millennium before the end of all things.”—History of the Arabs.

22 Every year, the Shi`ah commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husayn. They have processions in which some cut themselves with knives and swords and otherwise inflict suffering on themselves. In more modern times, Shi`ite Muslims have received much publicity because of their zeal for Islamic causes. However, they represent only about 20 percent of the world’s Muslims, the majority being Sunni Muslims. But now, let us turn to some of the teachings of Islam and note how the Islamic faith affects the daily conduct of Muslims.

Answer 4

Sunni- meaning 'the Path' (thats scary right off the bat ain't it?)
They believe that the 'Caliphate' (leaders of the movement after the death of the Prophet Muhhamad) are legally allowed to determine the course of the faith.

Shi'a-
They believe that only the direct descendants of the Prophet Muhhamad should be allowed to determine the course of the faith. They especially reject the first three Caliph's among the line of Caliph's. They also believe that the first Imam (Ali ibn Abu Talib; or translated 'Ali son of Abu Talib) was explicitly appointed by Muhhamad.

Answer 5

Outsider's perspective here, but simply put..
they disagree on who was to lead the Muslim faith after Mohammed died. (If you mean Shia and Sunni)

It's as pointless and stupid as all the little nitpicking that goes on between Christian denominations.

Answer 6

Shia are not real muslims. Real Muslims are sunnis

Answer 7

If you're referring to the Shia - Suni problem, it's some obscure religious bull crap about one of Mohammed's relatives and their role in some made up bull crap story.

Too bad there's so much insane cruelty precipitating from this minor disagreement.

Isn't religion fun??

Answer 8

Shiite's are usually black rappers who run around wearing bling and telling their homies....."Shee-ite....did you see dat' fool down dere!?? We should bust a cap in dat sucka!"

Answer 9

u mean to say sunni and shiats

they are two different religions
but the media thinks they are one

Answer 10

Excellent question!