Sunnis and Shiites

The differences between Sunnis and Shiites Muslims began in the seventh century and are rooted on disagreements on succession when Prophet Muhammad died . Though they share most of the basic religious tenets they differ in religious beliefs and practices . These differences sometimes would be the basis of religious intolerance , political fighting , and sectarian violence in today 's society

The split between the Sunnis and Shiites started upon the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 and leadership of the Islamic community was passed to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq , one of his closest companions . Although

br most of the members accepted this decision , some , however , believed that the title caliph (Arabic for successor ) belonged to Ali ibn Abi Tahib , Muhammad 's cousin and son-in-law . Although Ali played an important role in the life of Prophet Muhammad , he was too young to lead the Arabic tribal system . His followers however believed that Ali was named successor by the Prophet himself and that it would be in violation of the divine if he will not be named caliph . Those who followed Ali 's ascendancy became later known as `Shi 'a ' or Shiites , coming from the word shi 'at Ali , meaning supporters ' or helpers ' of Ali The group who constituted majority of the Muslims or those who followed Abu Bakr are known as Sunni ' meaning followers of sunna or customs . The Caliphate was passed from Abu Bakr to Umar then to Uthman , who finally passed it to Ali . Muawiya , famous for the Muayyid Caliphate , succeeded as caliph when Ali was murdered in 661 . Ali was buried in Najaf (now Iraq , and the site remains a famous Shiite site Likewise , Ali 's sons Hassan and Hussein , were killed in the battle with Sunni forces (Muawiya ) in 680

Majority of the Muslims today are Sunnis , while approximately 10-15 of the Islam population practice Shiite Muslim according to the CRS report on Islam : Sunnis and Shiites by Christopher M . Blanchard . These two Islamic sects , though with considerable differences , have common beliefs , traditions , and doctrines . Both believe that the Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of Allah and that they must abide by the revelations to the Prophet by Allah as recorded in the Quran . They share the Islamic belief and practice of piety , striving for goodness , and social justice and are expected to live in accordance with the five pillars of Islam

Among the major differences of the Sunnis and Shiites is the nature of leadership in the Muslim community . The Sunnis believed that Caliphate is not dependent on the descendants of the Prophet and should be elected by the religious leaders in the Islam community . The Shiites , on the other hand , call their leaders imam , a term used to indicate not only leadership abilities but to signify blood relations to the Prophet In contrast to Shiites ' veneration of imams who served as both spiritual and political leaders , Sunnis do not bestow exalted status to their leaders and they have less powerful religious hierarchy than Shiites (Blanchard , 3 . Sunni Islams...