Sunnis believed that after Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) died that his friend and companion Abu Bakr was the new Caliph (Leader of Muslims)
Shia believe that Ali (Prophet Mohammed (PBIH) Cousin, Son-In-Law, and close companion) was to be the next Caliph.
Besides that there are a few other relatively minor differences that dictate the differences. (e.g: Prayer, Imams, Days of Rememberance, etc...)
Hope that help...
Remember that Muslims believe in God and believe Mohammed(PBUH) was the Prophet of God...after that is where all the differences come in to play
2007-02-28 12:43:46
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answer #1
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answered by Amen Raw 2
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The Sunni and Shia split because after the death of Muhammed, Muslims couldn't agree on who should lead Islam - the Sunni branch accepted Abu Bakr because he was agreed to be the best candidate to be caliph. Shia, however, believe the caliphate should be descended through Muhammed's family.
2007-02-28 12:33:38
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answer #2
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answered by Nowhere Man 6
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A big difference is who can be imams. Shia say it has to be a descendant of Mohammad, Sunni says that that isn't true.
That is a little simplified but that's it in a nutshell.
Yes the people below me are correct, it did start with the caliphate and lead to imams later.
2007-02-28 12:32:49
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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dividing islam into sects is forbidden then How can we ask y there is split between shia and sunni What was our prophets shia or sunni they are muslims And i am proud to be a muslim and i dont join any of this sects
2016-04-11 00:41:24
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answer #4
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answered by Norine 4
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because shi'a people believed that the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) cousin should have been the leader of all Muslims. something like that. that's all His cousins name was Ali.
2007-02-28 12:33:23
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answer #5
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answered by . 3
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The deferent between sunni and shiah is much deeper than what muslims tell you here on line read the books for the sunni and shiah and see what they accuse each other with. www.shiaweb.org
www.islameyat.com
2007-02-28 12:47:08
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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it is not just because shia says that ali (as) shold have been the first caliph..its because these hypocrates abu bakar, umar and usman killed the family of the prophet (pbuh)...they were hypocrates. and shia dont like them
2014-08-04 21:50:16
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answer #7
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answered by ? 1
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both have same prophet same Quran same God
but they split for political reasons
2007-02-28 16:02:50
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answer #8
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answered by hado 4
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