Have the Muslim sects really fought each other for 1400 years?

Question

This "fact" is repeated on both sides of the pro Iraq war / anti-Iraq war debate, so I am wondering if it's true.

Some really excellent answers here, thanks guys.

Answer 1

The honest answer to this question is NO.The differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims have always been confined to theological questions and never caused more than verbal disputes or bitter tirades.However, there were politically motivated wars between Sunni and Shia countries in the past and present during which citizins of both parties sided with their own respective countries regardless of their sects.(An example is the eight year Iran-Iraq war in the eighties).There are Shiite minorities in Saudi Arabia,the Gulf States,Syria, Lebanon and Pakistan and there are Sunni minorities in Yemen, Iraq and Iran. All have co-existed peacefully for hundreds of years.In Egypt, the official sect is Sunni whereas most religious practices are Shiite. Political wars ? Yes. Secarian Wars? Never. But with America over here,who knows ? Look at what is going on in Iraq now.

Answer 2

You betcha! They've been disputing the religious basis of each other's faith since 661 AD (but more concretely, since 680). For the most part, the Sunni faction has been the majority in the Middle East -- nearly 90% of all Muslim are Sunnis. The Shi'is, on the other hand, are the majority in Iraq (60%), and have been politically opressed within that state since forever and up until Saddam Hussein was deposed.

It is only recently, following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, that the Shi'i community began to speak up for itself and demand self-rule, and the Iraqi community finally has a chance to get what's coming to it democratically. In other places, such as Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Bahrain, the Shi'is have turned more violent and anti-establishment as a reaction to repressive regimes. Hopefully, one day, all Islamic factions can simply come to an mutual agreement on governance, and confine their differences to the minaret.

Answer 3

Differences in religious beliefs have been a source of violence and bloodshed throughout history. Muslim sects have been fighting, off and on, since the 7th century but Christians have also inflicted violence and bloodshed in the name of religion. In the early days of Christianity in Europe people were converted at the point of a sword and pagans were killed. Then there were the Crusades. Extended warfare between Christian sects included the 30 Years War, the French Wars of Religion, in addition to the recurring purges in other countries of either Protestants or Catholics depending on who was in power.

Answer 4

There are two core beliefs in Islam about how an Islamic society should be governed. One is Sharia law, very strict fundamentalist rule, and then there's a more open style of governance. To say they've been fighting for 1400 years is a misnomer, but at times they have violently attempted to either establish Sharia law, or overturn it.

Answer 5

Yes

The religion was founded on conflict.

Before Mohamed they fought over land, wealth, heritage, and who's idol was best.

The first recorded conflict was Genesis 14: approximately 5000 years ago. And it has never in the history of mankind stopped.

However Bush King of Skulls and Cheney King of Haliburton have ended all war and brought democracy to the Mideast.

Go big Red Go

Answer 6

They have long disagreed and there have been some conflict, but to say that they have been fighting for 1200-1400 years probably isn't accurate.

A Sunni once told me that it's not much different from Protestants and Catholics. In Ireland they don't get along, in the US it's no big deal.

That's a way to look at it.

Answer 7

No. Historically they have been too busy slaying or subjugating 'infidels' to fight each other much.

Islam is not a religion anyway. It is nothing more or less than a plan for world domination.

Answer 8

It's been 5-1/2 years since 9/11, and you DON'T know the answer to this question???

Okay, NOW I know how Dems got control of Congress.

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

Its true and only our idiot in the White House thinks he is intelligent enough to put an end to it!

That is why we are dying in Iraq

Bush's sheer Stupidity!

Nothing else!