what is the difference bettween sunnis and shiites?

Answer 1

Shiites believe that only Ali ( FAMILY ), is the legitimate successor of Mohammed when he died. Shiite comes from the word shia, which means “the party (of Ali).

Sunnis
After Mohammed’s death, leadership of the Islamic community passed to Abu Bakr, one of Mohammed’s closest companions.

Supporters of Abu became the Sunnis, those of Ali the Shiites

Answer 2

The difference arose in the early days of Islam:

"The Sunni-Shi'a split in Islam started with the prophet Muhammad's death in 632, which was followed by a dispute over who was to lead the Muslim community, and how the leader was to be chosen. According to Shia tradition, the Prophet Muhammad made claims, most notably in a famous speech delivered at his last pilgrimage, that Ali was to succeed him as leader of the Muslim community. The Sunni account of this speech includes everything but the proclamation of Ali as successor. It is rather impossible to verify or deny either side's claims based on this one speech alone. After the Prophets' death, a gathering of Muslims at Saqifah gave their allegiance to Abu Bakr, as the first caliph due to his close relationship with the Prophet. Sunnis also claim that the prophet himself chose Abu Bakr because Abu Bakr had led prayers in the prophet's mosque in the last few days of the prophet's life"

Their were big struggles in the early age of the Faith but both group have been living peacefully for centuries.

Answer 3

I find it AMAZING that a muslim would attempt to claim that the two groups have been living together "peacefully" since the very early conflicts.

Perhaps this is the TRUE definition of "peace" according to islam.

The primary difference? They are both sects of islam. Seems like belonging to one sect gives license to kill the other.

Answer 4

Wikipedia to the rescue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiite

Answer 5

The Shiites are in a place where the sunni doesn't shine.

Answer 6

Its disgusting....their should NOT even BE sunnis or shites.....we WERE all just supposed to be MUSLIMS.....WAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE......WE ARE MUSLIMS....NOTHING MORE NOTHING LESS.....THAN GOD'S SERVANTS....NOT THIS

Answer 7

They both want the oil revenues and the more who dies the more money each side gets.

Answer 8

Each commits their violent acts in different ways.

Answer 9

One of them was married to Cher.

Answer 10

one wears brown turbans, the other tan turbans, this is why they are willing to kill each other