What is the differences between Shi'ite and Sunni muslims?

Answer 1

A Muslim friend send me this when I asked him the question. If this is right, I thank my friend; if it is wrong, I am sorry.

"The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation.

The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."

On the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.

The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet)."

Answer 2

Shī‘a Islam, also Shi‘ite Islam or Shi‘ism (Arabic شيعة šīʿa), is the second largest denomination of the Islamic faith after Sunni Islam. Shias adhere to the teachings of Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family (who are referred to as the Ahl al-Bayt) or his descendents known as Shi'a Imams. Muhammad's bloodline continues only through his beloved daughter Fatima Zahra and cousin Ali which alongside the prophet's grandsons are the Ahl al-Bayt. Thus, Shi'as consider Muhammad's descendents as the true source of guidance while considering the first three ruling Sunni caliphs a historic occurrence and not something attached to faith. The singular/adjective form is šīʿī (شيعي.) and refers to a follower of the faction of Imam Ali according to the Shia ideology.

Shia Islam, like Sunni Islam, has at times been divided into many branches; however, only three of these currently have a significant number of followers. The best known and the one with most adherents is the Twelvers (اثنا عشرية iṯnāʿašariyya) which have a large percentage in Iran 90% and Iraq; the others are Ismaili, Sevener, and Zaidiyyah. Alawites and Druzes consider themselves Shias, although this is sometimes disputed by mainstream Shias[1]. The Sufi orders among the Shias are the Alevi, Bektashi, Kubrawiya, Noorbakhshi, Oveyssi, Qizilbashi, Hamadani and Fatimid orders and denominations. Twenty percent of Turkey's population is Alevi while Lebanon and Syria have a large presence of Druze and Alawites.

Sunni Muslims are by far the largest denomination of Islam. They are also referred to as Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jamaa'h (Arabic: أهل السنة والجماعة) (people of the example (of Muhammad) and the community) which implies that they are the majority, or Ahl ul-Sunna (Arabic: أهل السنة; "The people of the example (of Muhammad)") for short. The word Sunni comes from the word sunna (Arabic : سنة ), which means the words and actions [1] or example of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. They represent the branch of Islam that accepted the caliphate of Abu Bakr due to him being chosen by majority, thus elections, or Shurah, in the caliphate being the first distinguishing factor in Sunni Islam. Most Sunni lawyers define themselves as those Muslims who are rooted in one of the four orthodox schools of Sunni law (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafii or Hanbali).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni

Answer 3

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 vast majority of Muslims now are following the coaching of the prophet peace be upon him (majority are sunnis). all the different sects are minorities which incorporate shia. Shia continually communicate approximately Ali(r.a)/Hussein(r.a) and rarely say Allah(s.w.t)/Mohamed(s.a.w), and wager what? the names Ali and Hussein are no longer even pronounced contained in the Quran. Islam is organic Monotheism. Muslims (Sunnis) ask for each difficulty directly to God purely without making anybody middleman. Calling out, invoking, crying out, making duaa to are all MANIFESTATIONS of worship that would desire to purely be directed in direction of Allah. besides the indisputable fact that Shia call (invoke) to boot Allah, that's polytheism. They ask Ali or Hussein for help particularly than asking Allah. Sunni = monotheism = Islam Shiism = polytheism = no longer Islam The Prophet (Peace be upon him) suggested, 'My Ummah gets divided into seventy 3 sects certainly one of which would be in Paradise and 72 would be contained in the hearth.” It replaced into suggested, O Messenger of Allaah, who're they? He suggested, “Al-Jamaa’ah.”' additionally in one Hadith he suggested, 'they are those people who will persist with this direction which I and my Sahaba persist with on the instant.' .... purely Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah (aka Sunnis) are following the actual direction.

Answer 4

it goes all the way ti muhammad. when the someone in his family no longer had an heir, there was a dispute as to who would be the next prophet to Allah, and differences broke out and the religion split into about 80% 20%. now they still hate each other after thousands of years

Answer 5

As with most religious squabbles, to an outsider, it is a ridiculously trivial doctrinal dispute over which much blood and mayhem has ensued. Essentially it has to do with the "true" line of descent of the Imans.

Answer 6

It's like being Methodist or Catholic but using weapons.

It's a difference of theology between the two and willing to physically suppress the other. As the Quran demands.if others do not believe as you force them too or kill them.

Answer 7

The Shi'ites are the ones who murder all non-Shi'ites.
The Sunnis are the ones who murder all non-Sunnis.

Answer 8

After Mohammad (the Prophet), the leaders (Imams) are different. Plus Shiite sect has two additional rule to their set of instructions.

Answer 9

I asked the same question a few days ago and I'm still not sure!! But as far as I know, there is only one Islam.

Answer 10

The former use TNT to make IED's and the latter use C4?


Perhaps???