Islam is a Muslim religion founded by Muhammad in the 7th century, and it has two main branches: the Sunnis , or orthodox Muslims—followers of the first caliph after Muhammad— and the Shiites , followers of Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali. Their differences were doctrinal and political. Sunnis represent 90 percent of the Muslim world, with 1.2 billion adherents.
So you want to delve a little deeper, here we explain the differences between Shiites and Sunnis.
Who are the Sunnis?
Sunnis constitute the majority of Muslims . It is estimated that between 86 and 90 percent of the population belongs to this group, which considers itself the most traditional and orthodox branch of Islam. In fact, the name Sunni is derived from the expression "Ahl al-Sunna," meaning "traditional people."
In this context, tradition refers to the practices derived from the actions of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers. Therefore, Sunnis worship all the prophets mentioned in the Quran, especially Muhammad, who is considered the last prophet.
Later Muslim leaders were seen as temporary figures. In contrast to Shiites, Sunni religious teachers and leaders have historically been controlled by the secular state. Sunni tradition is at its peak in Saudi Arabia. It also supports a clearly codified system of Islamic law, as well as membership in one of four law schools. To better understand the context of Islam, you can read about what Islam is.
Who are the Shiites?
The Ali in question was the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, and Shiites claim that they and their descendants have the right to lead Muslims . Ali was killed amidst caliphate intrigue, violence, and civil war. His sons Hassan and Hussein were denied what they believed to be their legal right to inherit his throne.
Hassan is believed to have been poisoned by Muawiyah, the first Umayyad caliph or leader of the Muslims, while his brother Hussein and several members of his family were killed on the battlefield. These events are behind the Shia concept of martyrdom and its mourning rituals, and the Shia faith also has a distinctive messianic element. The Shiites also have a hierarchy of clerics who provide open and consistent interpretations of Islamic texts.
The number of Shiites today is estimated to range between 120 and 170 million, or about one-tenth of all Muslims. They constitute the majority of the population in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and, according to some estimates, Yemen. But Afghanistan, India, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates also have significant Shiite communities.
What role does this division play in the political conflict?
In Sunni-ruled countries, Shiites are often the poorest in society and see themselves as victims of oppression and discrimination. Some Sunni extremists even preach hatred towards Shiites.
For its part, the 1979 Iranian Revolution launched a radical Islamist agenda with Shiite leanings, challenging conservative Sunni governments, especially in the Persian Gulf. Tehran's policy of supporting Shiite parties and militias abroad has been countered by Gulf states in favor of Sunni governments and movements overseas.
During the Lebanese civil war , Shiites gained prominence due to Hezbollah's military activities. Sunni extremists, such as the Taliban, have done the same in Pakistan and Afghanistan, often targeting Shiite places of worship. Meanwhile, the current conflicts in Iraq and Syria are also sectarian.
Many young Sunnis have joined insurgent groups fighting in these countries, many of which replicate al-Qaeda's extremist ideology . While their Shia counterparts often fight in or alongside government forces, both Iran and Saudi Arabia have identified a common enemy in the self-styled Islamic State.
Differences between Shiites and Sunnis
Shiites and Sunnis share many beliefs and practices, particularly the pillars of Islam, including the pilgrimage to Mecca and the five daily prayers.
Shiites see Ali as the first successor of the Prophet and see him and his eleven successors (Imams) as an example. Shia Islam has a hierarchical clergy with different ranks of religions (Imams, Ayatollahs). They believe that the lost successor of the Twelfth Prophet will return to Earth before the end to establish justice and peace.
Sunni Muslims view the Prophet's four successors as "well-educated caliphs" and place little emphasis on following their leaders. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that the founder of Islam was a key figure in the formation of these two branches.
Shia Muslims refer to Ali in the profession of faith (shahada). They have different days of celebration and mourning than Sunnis, based on their reverence for the Prophet's family, such as the Ashura and Arba'een ceremonies dedicated to the memory of Imam Hussein, who died a martyr.
According to a 2015 study by the Pew Research Center, there are fewer than 1600 billion Muslims in the world , of whom about 90% are Sunni. The remaining 10% are comprised of various Shia branches.
The two branches of Islam are more evenly distributed in the Middle East, with large Shia communities in Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain. They are also present in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
Iran is the most Shia country in the world , with 90 percent of its 79 million inhabitants professing the faith, and it tends to be sympathetic to smaller communities in other countries. There are also Shia branches in Iran's three neighbors—Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan—as well as in India. Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage site of Mecca and Medina, is considered the center of Sunni Islam, and its king is the "guardian of the two holy mosques" in these cities. Al-Azhar University in Cairo is the most prestigious academic institution in Sunni Islam and a landmark for believers.
I hope this information has been useful to you. But if you'd like to learn more about Islam, you can read more here.
