2007-01-02 14:48:15 · 5 answers · asked by harry m 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Shi'a Muslims believe that they adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family whom they refer to as the Ahl al-Bayt, but Sunnis believe that Shi'as actually deviate and even violate the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family.
2007-01-02 14:53:53 · answer #1 · answered by Eric G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tatto and Opinionat both explained it quite right.
Next, you have to understand Islam. Anyone who doesn't SURRENDER COMPLETELY and BELIEVE is and INFIDEL.
Hence both Shia and Sunni can consider EACH OTHER as infidels for their FAILURE to BELIEVE identically.
The rest is up to numbers (and one faction VASTLY out numbers the other faction) and desire to turn it into a battle.
Turning it into a BATTLE is an option UNTIL one faction tries to DOMINATE or INVADE another.
Saddam would be a good case in Iraq. This is why there is sectarian violence there.
That violence would subside if government takes hold and the Minority Sunni play good politics and get things they want that way.
The violence would excalate if it becomes Civil War and the Shia have the numbers and will trounce the Sunni if provoked. Then we have to see if Syria would intervine and if they do, dollars to Donuts Iran will side with the Shia and we could see a divided Iraq that becomes a protectorate of both IRan and Syria. Like North and South Korea.
2007-01-02 23:36:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Iraq, the question has a lot to do with regional power politics and involves Iran, which is ruled by Shia Muslims.
Historically, the Sunni and Shia split over the succession of Mohamed, when the prophet died. Sunni Muslims believed in electing a new leader among prominent Muslims. Shia Muslims believed the succession of Mohamed should be passed through his descendants, through the line of his son in law, Ali.
2007-01-02 22:55:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The head of the religion, or nation, of Islam is known as the Caliph. He is almost like the Pope. When the Caliph passes, he designates his successor beforehand. MAny centuries ago, a Caliph passed, and there was a dispute as to who the new Caliph was supposed to be. From that point, there were two, and the Shiites and Sunni's were "born". Since that time, they have always disagreed as to who is the head of Islam was.
2007-01-02 22:58:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I seem to recall a bloody conflict between two christian factions in at least one part of the world...
2007-01-02 22:53:00 · answer #5 · answered by eldad9 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋