what is the ideological difference between sunni and shi'ite muslims, and why is there so much tension?

Answer 1

BRANCHES OF ISLAM: The death of Muhammad in Medina provoked a mayor crisis among his followers: The dispute over the leadership resulted in the most important "schism" in Islam: "Sunnis" and "Shiites:

- The Prophet's preference to follow him was Ali, the husband of his daughter, the Egyptian Fatima, and the father of his only surviving grandsons Hasan and Husayn. But, while the family was busy burying the Prophet, the leaders of Medina elected the aging Abu Bakr, the father of the Prophet's favorite wife, as the successor ("caliph"), even before the burial of the Prophet. Ali and his family were dismayed but agreed for the sake of unity, and because Ali was still young... however, after the murder of the third caliph, Ali was invited by the Muslims of Medina to accept the caliphate, with the mayor schism of Islam:

- The "Sunnis", followers of Abu, the majority, with 800 million Muslims.

- The "Shiites", followers of Ali, with 100 million Muslims (Iran, Iraq, Palestine).

Despite the differences in detail and politics, the various branches do accept the basic tenets laid down in the Koran.


1- The "Sunni": 800 million:

The followers of Abu, called "Sunni" because they accept the "sunnas", the oral traditions and interpretations of the Koran after Muhammad's death, called the "sunnas", and later the "Hadiths".

They are usually more liberal.

They belief the "caliph" ("successor" of Muhammad) should always be elected, not conferred by heredity. They claim they are the true followers of the faith, and until 1959 they refuse to recognize the Shiites as true Muslims. They believe in "predestination".

During the Ottoman Turks, the Caliphs were called "Sultans".

2- The "Shiite": 100 million:

The "Shiite ("partisans"), are the followers of Ali, more orthodox and militant, mainly in Iran, Iraq, and Palestine. In 656, Ali and Fatima's son Hussein led a fight against the Sunnis. Hussein was torture and beheaded, and today the Shiites of Iran honor the memory of Hussein's death with an annual procession in which marches in a frenzied demonstration beat and whip themselves with chains and branches.

The "Iman" and "Mahdi" (Messhiah):
Shiites created the office of the "Imam" ("leader" or "guide"), who were infallible, one for each generation, the only source of religious instruction and guidance, and all in direct descendence of Ali. There were 12 Imams since Ali; the last one, the 12th, went into hiding in 940, and he will emerge later to rule the world as "Mahdi" ("Messiah"). For this reason they are also called the "Imamites" or "Twelvers".

- The present "Ayatollahs", ("signs of God") see themselves as joint caretakers of the office of the Imam, until he returns at the end of time. The "Ayatollah Khomeini" claimed that he was a descendant of the 7th Imam, and hence the rightful ruler of the Shiites.


The "Wahhabi":

A small group founded by al-Wahhab in the eighteenth century, but it was the primary force in the creation of the state of Saudi Arabia in 1932, the country of the cities of Mecca and Medina, and from them, the Wahhabi have influenced Muslims throughout the world who go into the pilgrimage to Mecca.

They are the Puritans of the Muslims, with the most strict, severely enforced moral standard of conduct, and their call for a pure Islam regulated by a literal interpretation of the Koran.

For them, it is a polytheism to visit the graves of the saints, and they are against observance of the feast of the Birth of the Prophet... and they discourage such Western innovations as cinema and dancing.
The Wahhabis: The Fanatical Reformists of Modern Islam


The Kharijites - the Early Seceders of Islam:

The first major sect that appeared in the history of Islam was made up of the Khawarij or Kharijites as they are known to us. The word means "those who go out", that is, seceders. They appeared as a separate group after the Battle of Siffin when Ali submitted his conflict with Mu'awiyah to arbitration. Although his followers had unanimously influenced him into this course of action, a section broke away afterwards, claiming that no caliph of Allah should submit the cause of God to the discretion of man. This group thus became the nucleus of the Kharijite movement in Islam, a dogmatic and fanatical sect which plagued Iraq for many years.
This group did not last long, however, (mercifully for the peace-loving Muslim communities in Iraq) but it did provide an example which was to be followed in later centuries by other sects, in particular the Wahbabis. http://answering-islam.org.uk/Gilchrist/Vol1/9d.html


The "Ismailis":

In the eight century a group of Shiites created a division on the account of who would be the rightful seventh Imam at the death of the sixth Imam who had 2 sons: They followed the older brother, Ismail, who died as a child, and so, they are called the "Ismailis" or "Seveners".

They are in parts of India, Egypt, and the rulers of Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, and Bahrain.

They believe that incarnations of God in the form of new Imams will continue throughout time

Answer 2

It started like 1000 years ago when one group's leader overthrew the Moslem empire. Ever since then, it's escalated to bombing each other. Their religious difference is quite similar to Christians versus Jews.

Christians believe Jesus was the Son of God, just like how the Shiites waited since 931, when the Twelfth Imam (the Moslem Son of God) disappeared. He reappeared (supposedly) in 1978 with the rise of the Ayatollah. He is the Shiites' Twelfth Imam.

Jews, on the other hand, believe Jesus was just another prophet and still wait for the return of the Son of God. The Sunnis do not believe that the Ayatollah was not the Twelfth Imam, and therefore, their savior has not returned to earth.

For a little background, the Twelve Imams were Muhammed's successors after his death. There were 4 caliphs who succeeded Muhammed. Sunnis believe all were legitimate, as well as their descendants. The Shiites believe only the 4th caliph and his successors were the true religious/political leaders. When the Twelfth Imam (one of the 4th caliph's descendants) disappeared, it was the Shiites' "crucifixion of Jesus," so to speak. The Ayatollah, the guy behind President Ahmedinejad's Iranian rule, is the Shiites' Twelfth Imam.

It's a matter of already come vs. not yet come that has gotten out of hand. The websites below go into greater detail.

Answer 3

Shi'ites belief that only the descendants of mohammed can be the leaders or something like that when the sunnis are the opposite.

Answer 4

there have been no Shia on the time of the prophet peace be upon him. The prophet and his companions have been all Muslims Ahl Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Shiism and all different sects have been made some years after the dying of the prophet peace be upon him. the popular public of Muslims now are following the coaching of the prophet peace be upon him (majority are sunnis). all the different sects are minorities alongside with shia. Shia continuously communicate approximately Ali(r.a)/Hussein(r.a) and infrequently say Allah(s.w.t)/Mohamed(s.a.w), and guess what? the names Ali and Hussein are no longer even reported in the Quran. Islam is organic Monotheism. Muslims (Sunnis) ask for each subject directly to God only without making anybody intermediary. Calling out, invoking, crying out, making duaa to are all MANIFESTATIONS of worship that ought to easily be directed in direction of Allah. inspite of the incontrovertible fact that Shia call (invoke) besides Allah, it is polytheism. They ask Ali or Hussein for help fairly than asking Allah. Sunni = monotheism = Islam Shiism = polytheism = no longer Islam The Prophet (Peace be upon him) mentioned, 'My Ummah gets divided into seventy 3 sects considered one of which would be in Paradise and seventy two would be in the fireplace.” It grew to become into mentioned, O Messenger of Allaah, who're they? He mentioned, “Al-Jamaa’ah.”' additionally in one Hadith he mentioned, 'they're those people who will stick to this direction which I and my Sahaba stick to at the instant.' .... only Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah (aka Sunnis) are following the actual direction.

Answer 5

Sunni's and Shi'tes live in peace in most of the middle east except for Iraq.....I have my own opinion as to why that it is.... but I think it has alot to do with "troublemakers" and "instigators" thats all I will say.
I wish we all could live in peace.

Answer 6

Sunni worship the Sun. Shi'ite worship cow dung.

Answer 7

I hope this helps, this article does a good job at explaining it all:

http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm

Answer 8

Because they arent happy unless they are having a fight.