2007-07-22 05:46:27 · 11 answers · asked by common!!!!!! 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Sunnis and Shiites are the same just like Protestants and Catholics are the same. They're not.
Both are two different sects of the same overall religion, but they have very different views of how that religion works, and how authority should be split between religious and secular leaders.
Sunnis believe that ultimate power always rests with the religious leaders, and that no secular law may ever contradict religious doctrine. Shiites believe that the leadership of people is first a political matter, and the religion provides guidance but not ultimate authority over secular laws.
2007-07-22 05:50:34 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is Sunni. They are all descendants of Abraham and are cousins, but from different tribes. They has been fighting in the family for a thousand years. The Sunni have traditionally been the elite class, and the Shiites have been the lower class. Iran is a Shiite country. Saudi Arabia is Sunni.
The Sunni ruled Iraq for a long time, and killed many Shiites to maintain power. When we went into Iraq to get rid of Sadam and had elections, the majority Shiia won. Now we are seeing payback time for Shia, and Suni fighting to keep at least some control. Of couse, Al Quada is just stirring the pot and hope to end up with a Radical Islamic State in Iraq.
2007-07-22 13:04:59 · answer #2 · answered by GABY 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sunni vs Shiite
The Sunni branch believes that the first four caliphs (Mohammed's successors) rightfully took his place as the leaders of Muslims. They recognize the heirs of the four caliphs as legitimate religious leaders. These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War.
Shiites believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed.
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 into being.
The Shiites believe that he (the chosen one) is already here, and will come out of hiding, the Sunnis believe he has yet to emerge.
Comeback vs coming out.
2007-07-22 12:59:09 · answer #3 · answered by Michael H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. 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 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.
Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims counter that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, and certainly no basis for the veneration or intercession of saints. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken away by the people themselves.
2007-07-22 12:55:05 · answer #4 · answered by Judy L 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
"sonnies , Shiites"? Are these electronic products from Japan?
2007-07-22 12:50:08 · answer #5 · answered by D. M. 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry, but I don't know what a sonnie is, so I could not tell you how sonnies and Shiites are different or similar.
2007-07-22 12:49:04 · answer #6 · answered by some_guy_times_50 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
it is Sunni and Shia. Here is a link to a chat that will tell you simple things. Personaly i don't know much about Shia islam I am a Sunni muslim but i have no problems with Shia. However there are alot of people who on both sides have problems. I have some Shia friends and we never have problems.
http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islamic_sects.htm
2007-07-22 13:02:47 · answer #7 · answered by A A 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would encourage these 2 to fight for their rights
until the last one is standing that is ......
2007-07-22 13:20:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
both Islamic
2007-07-22 12:57:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It would help if you learned to spell , must have gone to a liberal school.............
2007-07-22 13:14:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋