what is the difference between a shia and a sunni muslim? and why don't they like each other?

Question

hello. i need to answer this question for my undergraduate course. can anyone supply references to articles on the internet and in books that will help me to do so.

Answer 1

When the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) passed away, the question arose as to whom the Muslim Ummah should look to for guidance - 4 'caliphs' succeeded him (for want of a better word, they were not really successors as no one could replace the Prophet). The last of these was Ali (RA), cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad - as he was a blood relative of Prophet Muhammad, after his death there was a division of Muslims. Those who believed the successor should be 'democratically' elected (ended up being called Sunni Muslims) and those who believed only a decendant of Caliph Ali (RA) should be the successor i.e. a blood relative (these people are what we now refer to as Shia Muslims). Thats the fundamental difference in a nutshell for how the seperation occurred. Actually the Sunnis and the Shias are agreed upon almost all the essentials of Islam. Both believe in the Quran and the Prophet, both follow the same principles of religion and both observe essentially the same rituals. However, there is one prominent difference, which is essentially political rather than religious, and concerns the choice of the caliph or successor of Muhammad

As to the people who say Sunni's and Shia's hate each other - please stop basing your views on what you hear in the media.

Also, you need to do much more research to come up with a more substantial answer - this is only just how I understand the issue and I may not be 100% accurate.

Answer 2

The way I understand this is:

Sunni believe that upon Mohammad's death the next qualified person should lead the Muslims.

Shia believe that upon Muhammad's death the Islamic faith should have been lead by his next of kin or it should be someone from his family lineage (Ali)

Also one should note that over the centuries the two sects have also developed doctrinal differences.

Although it seems that most of the conflicts today are more of a political nature and not a religious one. i.e. the Sunni because they are Sunni believe that the Shia dominated government of Iraq had Saddam killed - as to say that if Sunnis were the majority in government this might not have been the case. Either way it has become more political rivalry rather than religious doctrinal differences.

As far as religious doctrinal differences it's about the same as the difference between, catholics and protestants.

.

Answer 3

The way I see this is, it is similar to the ongoing battle in Northern Ireland, and to a degree in Western Scotland, between Catholics and Protestants, they are both Christian religions, but they hate each others guts, and most of it is bourne through generations of inbred ignorance, bigotry and Sectarianism, one side accusing the other side of things that aren't true and they retaliate and so the battle ensues. It is pointless, stupid and a waste of time! The fighting that happens during an 'old firm' match in Glasgow is a fair example of this, so is the walk by the Orange Lodge that happens during the summer, this severely aggrovates catholics and with some of the ones who participate, this is the exact intention! The only thing with the Muslim version of this is, the Muslims seem to be far more vicious and intolerant of each other than the catholic/protestant battle here, and actually I think the whole thing makes a complete mockery of religion, the point of religion is faith, belief in a greater or higher power, this fighting, I don't see where any of that comes into it, its just a bunch of people fighting another bunch of people and using a noble cause as a cover, it happens the world over, politicians use noble causes as a cover to get what they want, just plain sucks! I know it's not textbook stuff, but this is the way I analyse what is happening in Iraq, so use it or ignore it, it's what I think!

Answer 4

1. Prophet Muhammad Dies
2. Abu Bakr becomes leader (caliph). He is one of the first Muslim converts, and is Muhammad's father in law (Muhammad married his daughter, Aisha)
3. Ali becomes the forth leader (caliph). He is Muhammad's cousin, and is married to Muhammad's daughter, Fatima

the problem?
1. Shias claim that Muhammad demanded that Ali be the Caliph after he died- that Abu Bakr took leadership unjustly. They consider Ali the first Caliph, not the fourth
2. Shias are usually more mystical- this sect spawned the Ismailis, Rumi, etc
3. Shias believe that only the true descendants of Muhammad have the right to lead.
4. Shi'a majority country- Iran

the Shia sect then splits into various denominations, like other religious groups

Answer 5

They both believe in the same thing...they just have different ways of saying things...The Shia have a slightly different way of thinking about Islam than Sunni

Answer 6

Salam, hi

Sunni and Shia are two faction in Isalm, or sub-groups as there exists in Christianity.It must be established that they both share the same basic or fundamental beliefs of the muslim faith: the oness of God, that Muhammad is His messenger , the same obligations ; to pray...i.e the pilars of islam are identical for both.A Sunni is a muslim who follows sunna i.e. all what the prophet did and asked as to do as has been repoted by his companions. Shia ,on the other hand, do not follow ALL sunna( the prophet's deed and sayings) especially where it's some of his companions (namely abu Bark, Umar or Aisha)reported about that.When these group of muslims didn't work by what those companions sayings about the prophet the result was a difference in ways of worshiping in: prayers, fasting, pilgrimage and many other aspects of religiuos life.The origin of the divergence had political roots. Shii accused the prophet's companions of usurpating the right to rule the nation fom Ali ,who is also a prophet companion adn his cousin from the father's side and also his daughter's husband , but ali himself submitted to the other Caliph!!!?The word shia in Arabic means that you "chose "whom did they chose ? ali and the prophet descendents-Ali's sons- to rule.During his life,Ali disavowed these groups and tried to prvent them from killing Uthman the caliph when hords of angry shias attakced his house and killed him savagely .ali's sons themselves never had claims to rule.Majority of muslims are Sunni , shia is a very small minority living mainly in Iran and Iraq where they represnt the majority.Fom more information see the links:
1-http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm
2-http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm
3-http://terrorism.about.com/od/islampolitics/g/Sunni.htm
4-http://www.pensitoreview.com/2006/10/17/gop-leaders-fail-pop-test-on-the-difference-between-sunnis-and-shiites/?fta=y

Answer 7

I have no idea I guess there is some certain things that differ them from each other. That is just like all those other religions that are basically the same that fight with each other. I mean they are the same race and beleive in the same person that doesn't even exsist. That is my opinion and that's that.

Answer 8

I think the differences relate to which member of the prophet's various relatives you think was his true successor, for example the fatimids followed fatima one of tis female kin, ironic really given their oppressive views on women's rights, or lack of same..

Answer 9

Check wikipedia, they should at least discuss the differences. Why they dont like each other is anybodys guess

Answer 10

it's a complicated religion issues if you have no information about Islam u wont understand the diffrence so it's better to start reading about Islam then go to specifics