What are the major practical differences between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims?

Question

What does each group do or say that makes them different from the other?

Answer 1

As for doctrine, both groups are very close. They believe in the same God, use the same Quran. The real differences are politcal ones that turned into religious ones. When Muhammad (pbuh) died, the Shias said he had chosen a sucessor, Ali. The Sunnis said that he had not and went along picking their own leader. The Sunnis made up the majority. Over time, the difference came that the Shias believed that the true sucessors were both political and religious leaders, and that they would be in the blood line of the prophet. There were twelve of these leaders, known as the Imams. They areconsidered infallible. Other than that, the religion is the same.

On a practical level they are still very close. Names are usually the same, but a few stick out. Names like Abu Bakr, Omar and Uthman will deffinitely be Sunni. Names like Jaffar, Abdul-Hussein or Abdul-Zahra, will be mainly Shia. In prayers, Shia keep their hands at their sides and play on clay tablets, and Sunnis cross their arms over their chests. Shias like to have posters of the Imams, usually in their houses or in their cars. Shias also go on an extra pilgimage to Najf, where Hussein, one of the Imams, was martyred.

Answer 2

The fundamentals are common to both. That is: Belief in Allah; Angels; Holy Books; Holy Prophets; Hereafter(accountability of deeds). The difference is theological. The Holy Quran is common to both. The Hadith(orders and the practices of the Holy Prophet) are taken from somewhat different sources, though, the orders of fundamental importance are the same. Then there are political differences. The Iranians accepted the Arab Prophet but declined to accept the Arab religious culture. Then, there are differences on the succession of the Holy Prophet. Who ought to have been followed after the Prophet left the Earth?
The Sunni and Shia can and do inter marry, can and do pray together in congregation. If one leaves one creed and accepts the other, no formal announcement is required to be made. The Saintly figures are common to both, in most cases. In a nutshell, the differences are cultural, political, theological. not on fundamentals..

Answer 3

The Sunni, who are the majority group of Muslims in the world as a whole, accept that the first three caliphs are legitimate successors to the prophet Mohammed while.the Shiites follow Ali the son of Abu Talib as the first legitimate successor, and are divided into many sects, the two principle ones being the Zaidis and the Ismails.

Answer 4

like all religions they have an a and a b side who hate one another. if you go back far enough in history they are one and the same but they split in a power struggle over who should be the new leader after the death of their leader Uthman

Answer 5

This is a 1300 year old dispute over who is the legitimate religious heir to Mohammad.

Answer 6

One believes the religious leaders can be any appropriate guy; the other believes he should be related to Mohammed.


Good enough reason to kill one another--the world needs more religion.

Answer 7

I can't see any. They both are determined to kill each other. It's a good job Islamism is a peaceful religion or the trouble could be worse.

Answer 8

Nothing practical.

Answer 9

Not sure..but it goes back in history....the descendants...from the prophet