Would someone that actually knows explain the differences in Sunni and Shiite? Sorry if this has been asked before.
2007-07-28 02:47:06 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Sunnis follow the rules of the Qur'an and hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) and do not have religious heirarchy. They are the Orthodox Muslims.
The Shias follow also the Qur'an and some hadiths but they believe that even the teachings of their Imams can be a source of religious doctrines. They believe in Imams (like the Catholics who believe in Popes) who are to be the guardians of the flocks.
2007-07-28 04:06:11 · answer #1 · answered by space lover 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sunni simply means following the Sunnah and ALL Muslims are to do that. Sunni is not a sect regardless of what anyone says. Shiite follow Ali the cousin/son in law of the prophet Mushammad (PBUH). It stems back to a political difference rather than a religious one. Shia follow the Quran and Sunnah too as do all Muslims. There are many sites that will go into it with greater detail for you. The one below is a very good one.
2007-07-28 10:00:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no difference in fundamentals as the religion was completed and perfected by the Porphet Mohammad (peace be upon him) and with his death further evolution of religion was sealed. The differences between Shai and Sunni have mostly political basis. The Shia belief started at the event of Hazrat Ali (the Prophet's cousin and later son-in-law) not becoming the khalifa (the head of the state) in the early days of Muslim rule. This led to the ideology that he was the " rightful candidate". This then later extended to his sons Hassan and Hussain. When Ali did finally become Khalifa there were lots of law and order issues and power struggles by other people. So Shia basically are very sympathetic towards Hazrat Ali and his sons in general and blieve tht they were rightful owners of Khilafat at that time.
Another slight difference is in Jursprudence. Muslims look up to certain scholars for Muslim Jurisprudence. Each one of these scholars (or Imaams) have done the interpretation of Islamic law from Quran and hadeeth according to their best knowledge and frankly there is not right or wrong answer in this case as some things are open to interpretaton wither way. Shias follow certain Imams and Sunni certain others.
Other than this there is no religious difference. What you normally see in Moharram (the first month of lunar calender) by Shias when they lament in unison has no religious significance but it is a tradition that they carry from the time Hazrat Hussain (Prophet's gradson and Hazrat Ali's son) was brutally killed in a battle while trying to defy a power hungry Muslim ruler of that time.
2007-07-28 11:50:18 · answer #3 · answered by Catalyst 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems that was asked before and it was Sunni leaders are elected or appointed and Shiite has to be inherited from their father. Kind of like right of kings to have his son rule after him. They can correct me if I am wrong but it seems that is how they answered that question.
I remember reading that there is as many branches of Islamic belief as there are Christian different faiths.
Sunni, Shiite, Drudes, Kurds, and then the ones in Africa is totally different. The followers of Louis Faracan is another totally different branch.
2007-07-28 09:53:54 · answer #4 · answered by Ruth 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There are some significant differences in who they hate. The Sunnis hate the Shia and the Shias hate the Sunnis. That has been going on since almost the beginning.
2007-07-28 10:22:15 · answer #5 · answered by Fred 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
You are taking start from Muslim Politics!
First try to learn about Religion of Islam to understand the differences.
2007-07-28 10:08:09 · answer #6 · answered by aslam09221 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
try this link
2007-07-28 09:51:04 · answer #7 · answered by °·.¸.•°amoona°·.¸.•° 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
One is verbally abusive & the other is physically abusive.
2007-07-28 09:50:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋