What is the difference in terms of teachings, between Sunni and Shiite muslims? Why are they fighting?

Question

What is the difference in terms of teachings, between Sunni and Shiite muslims? Why are they fighting so badly? Im a catholic and just curious...

Answer 1

Shia adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his FAMILY.

Sunni adhere to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Muhammad's COMPANIONS,like Abu Bakr.

shia keyword : muhammad's family.
sunni keyword : muhammad's companions.

they are not fighting so badly.please don't make your own words

Answer 2

The short answer is power. Similiar to Christianity, i.e. Catholics vs Protestants. The disagreement between Catholics and Protestants exist but the violent part of this relationship has been dormant for many years.

In relation to Sunni and Shite Muslims, the main point of disagreement is over who was supposed to "administer" the Islamic doctrine upon the death of the prophet Mohammed (founder of Islam). The prophet Mohammed upon his death left no successors, so the Shite Muslims believed the successor should be someone of Mohammed's lineage however the Sunni Muslims believed it should be someone who is a strict follower of the Islamic faith regardless of bloodline.

Another difference between Sunnis and Shiites has to do with the Mahdi, “the rightly-guided one” whose role is to bring a just global caliphate (a.k.a. Top Islamic leader) into being. The major difference is that for Shiite muslims he has already been here, and will return from hiding; for Sunnis he has yet to emerge into history.

But the uproar in Sunni and Shiite fighting can be traced to the loss of the caliphate (the legitmate Islamic leader) due to assasination by the new Turkish Republic during World War I. This has put the Muslim world (and faith) into a tailspin. (Sort of like if you were to lose the Pope, with no clear agreement on the replacement). Many Islamic fundamentalist groups begin to sprang up with their own leaders.

The current large scale violence and hatred has been unleashed by Western civilization's "improper" influence in the Islamic Middle East with America at the forefront. This Islamic fundamentalism which is starting to dominate the Arab world does not want any non-Islamic influence in the Middle East. Western Civilization's culture is more open and loose than Islamic nations like to see or be apart of.

Answer 3

They both live by Islam, but Iran is Shiite. The only way I can explain this they supposedly live from the Qur'an (koran). But they are sects, similar too some of our religion would be like the Baptist and Methodist, we may believe a little different but under the same God. They shiite and sunni Muslims are battling for who are the correct sect to rule Islam. Islam is not a peaceful religion it is chaotic and misery. In essences they kill one another, their own people, because basically they are confused.

Answer 4

In Islam all over the world They agree about the oneness of God They follow the same book - Quran(same words and letters all over the world). They follow the same prophet Muhammad . offer their prayers five time a day. fast in the month of Ramadan.Give charity (Zakat) which is the poor-due on the wealth of the rich go for hajj, pilgrimage to Mecca ...but they may have differnt opinions not on the basics

Those who follow some sayings and views of Ali (one of the early muslims leaders), as the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad , are called Shia. Shia means a partisan (party of Ali) and it started more as a political party to help Ali in his conflict with his political adversaries.

About 90% of Muslims are Sunni, the word Sunni is based on the word Sunnah which is an Arabic word means the Prophet's Doctrine. Sunnis believe in (GOD) as the One Creator and Mohammad is His last and final Messenger.

but you have to know that the sects in islam not like the sects in other religions in other religions1- they can change in their books for example the Catholic Bible contain 73 books while the Protestant Bible has only 66 in Islam no one can change any thing There is not even one word of difference between two Arabic Qur'ans, anywhere in the world. There has been no disagreements in history among Muslims as to what should and should not be in the Qur'an

The Sunnah or Hadith consists of the teachings, sayings, and actions of Prophet Muhammad. This information was meticulously reported and collected by his Companions. It is essentially an elaboration of the Qur'anic verses that shows how they are to be implemented in one's daily life ALLthe true muslims agree about that

Answer 5

I think it is the difference of views on their views of what being a Muslim is at it's core. I don't know why ANY religion needs to fight. Good question...I tip my hat to you for at least TRYING to understand the differences. I myself don't really understand too much about it.

Answer 6

hey, 'no name' they are not fighting, ? how come when I was in the beautiful Iraq a couple of months ago the were KILLING each other?

you lose...

Answer 7

http://islam.about.com/cs/divisions/f/shia_sunni.htm
http://arabist.net/archives/2006/10/19/whats-the-difference-between-shia-and-sunni/

Answer 8

political differences only----they fight for power after us invasion.

Israeli moussad and american intel. succeded in getting them fighting ----divide and conquer ---rule

Answer 9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Muslims

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiite_Muslims