Why did the Sunnis split from the Shia?
Sunnis believed that leadership should fall to the person who was deemed by the elite of the community to be best able to lead the community. And it was fundamentally that political division that began the Sunni-Shia split." The Sunnis prevailed and chose a successor to be the first caliph.
What is the Saudi conflict of Shia and Sunni?
The Saudi conflict of Shia and Sunni extends beyond the borders of the kingdom because of international Saudi "Petro-Islam" influence.
Who are the Sunnis and the Shiites?
Saudi Arabia leads Sunni-dominated nations. Iran dominates those led by Shiites. At least 87% of Muslims are Sunnis. 3 They are the majority in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Shiites are the majority in Iran, Bahrain, and Iraq.
What is the Sunni-Shia Division?
The Sunni-Shia division goes back to that early conflict. Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was chosen by the larger community as his fourth successor.
What are the differences between Sunnis and Shias?
But despite their many differences, Sunnis and Shias agree on the centrality of Muhammad and the Qur’an to their faith. Hence, they hold similar views on most of the basics: 1 Islam’s “five pillars,” or essential practices—the creed, ritual prayers, almsgiving, Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca 2 The prophets and scriptures before Muhammad 3 The nature of the believer’s relationship to God [3] [3] 4 That salvation is earned by good deeds and loyalty to the Muslim community 5 The Last Day’s vital importance
Which sects have more in common with Sunnis than Ismailis?
In fact, the two largest Shia sects (Twelvers and Fivers) arguably have more in common theologically with Sunnis than with Ismailis. ...
What are the two major groups of Muslims?
The world’s Muslims fall into two major camps, Sunni and Shia, sometimes likened to Christianity’s Catholics and Protestants. But the similarity is superficial. In terms of the world’s total Muslim population, Sunnis and Shias disagree over what percentage each group owns, with Sunnis accounting for 80-90% of the total and Shias 10-20%.
What are the five pillars of Islam?
Islam’s “five pillars,” or essential practices—the creed, ritual prayers, almsgiving, Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca. The prophets and scriptures before Muhammad. The nature of the believer’s relationship to God [3] [3] That salvation is earned by good deeds and loyalty to the Muslim community.
Where is Husayn's shrine?
Husayn’s shrine at Karbala. How the schism unfolded, including which characters are heroes. Which hadith are accepted. Matters of law, on such things as marriage and divorce. The authority of Muhammad’s rightful successors, whether caliphs (Sunni) or imams (Shia) [2]
Who was the son of Ali?
In 670, Ali’s first son Hassan was murdered. Then in 680, in what both sides agree was an act of treachery, the Sunni caliph’s representative beheaded Ali’s remaining son, Husayn, at Karbala, in modern-day Iraq. He killed most of Husayn’s companions and family with him, his infant son Ali included.
Who was Muhammad's cousin?
Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was chosen by the larger community as his fourth successor. But a minority claimed Muhammad had appointed Ali and his family line to succeed him, and that Ali would have led from the first if powerful families hadn’t sidelined him.
When did the Shiite-Sunni split occur?
The split occurred soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, nearly 1,400 years ago.
What did the Sunnis believe?
Sunnis believed that leadership should fall to the person who was deemed by the elite of the community to be best able to lead the community. And it was fundamentally that political division that began the Sunni-Shia split.". The Sunnis prevailed and chose a successor to be the first caliph.
What are the Twelver Shiites?
So in many ways the Shiites, much like Jews or Christians, are looking for the coming of the Messiah.". Those who believe in the Hidden Imam are known as Twelver Shiites. They are the majority of the Shiites in the world today. "Twelver Shiism is itself a kind of messianic faith," Georgetown's Brumberg says.
Why was Hussein decapitated?
Hussein was decapitated and his head carried in tribute to the Sunni caliph in Damascus. His body was left on the battlefield at Karbala. Later it was buried there. It is the symbolism of Hussein's death that holds so much spiritual power for Shiites.
Where is the Chehel Sotun Pavillion?
A fresco painting from the Chehel Sotun Pavillion in Isfahan, Iran, depicts Persian warfare during the Safavid dynasty period. A fresco painting from the Chehel Sotun Pavillion in Isfahan, Iran, depicts Persian warfare during the Safavid dynasty period. Editor's Note: Back in 2007, NPR reported on the Shiite-Sunni split ...
How many Muslims are Shiites?
It's not known precisely how many of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims are Shiites. The Shiites are a minority, making up between 10 percent and 15 percent of the Muslim population — certainly fewer than 250 million, all told. The Shiites are concentrated in Iran, southern Iraq and southern Lebanon.
What percent of the population of the Persian Gulf region are Shiites?
One other factor about the Shiites bears mentioning. "Shiites constitute 80 percent of the native population of the oil-rich Persian Gulf region," notes Yitzhak Nakash, author of The Shi'is of Iraq.
What is the difference between Shiites and Sunnis?
Another ritual difference between Sunnis and Shiites is the way they celebrate Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar. In Ashura, the Shiites commemorate the Karbala massacre and mourn Husayn. Sunnis, on the other hand, do not engage in any mourning ceremony, although they also denounce the killing of Husayn.
Which Caliphate was the main Shiite state?
However, the Shiites managed to establish states of their own. The main Shiite states in history were the Fatimid Caliphate and Safavid dynasty. Today, Khomeini’s Iran bears the torch for the Shiite community.
Who was the successor of Prophet Muhammad?
The Ansar eventually gave up their claim to leadership over the Islamic community, but tensions again flared when the Muhajirun raised the question of a hereditary succession. Some Muslims believed that the Prophet’s closest companion, Abu Bakr, was his legitimate successor. Others, however, claimed that the role should be given to Ali, the prophet’s cousin and closest kin. What actually happened at the Saqifah has been highly contested among Muslim historians, particularly in relation to Ali’s stance and his allegiance to Abu Bakr. In general, members of the Sunni sect downplay the importance of Saqifah meeting, whereas Shiites tend to see the allegiance to Abu Bakr that emerged from the meeting as a betrayal of the Prophet.
Is Islam a political schism?
In fact, this long lasting division between the two major poles of Islam seems far more a political schism than a religious one.
Do Shiites and Sunnis agree on the Quran?
Although Shiites and Sunnis agree upon the most basic pillars of Islam and on the role of the Quran and the hadith, or the words and deeds of the prophet, they disagree on the credibility of certain passages from the hadith and some of the reported traditions concerning his spiritual life.
What is the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites?
The conflict between Sunnis and Shiites is often portrayed as strictly about religion. It's also an economic battle between Iran and Saudi Arabia over who will control the Strait of Hormuz. 2 That's a passage in the Persian Gulf through which 90% of the region's oil passes.
Who was the founder of the Saudi dynasty?
In the 1700s, the founder of the Saudi dynasty, Muhammad ibn Saud, allied with the religious leader, Abd al-Wahhab, to unify all Arabian tribes. 6 After the Shiites took power in Iran in 1979, the Sauds financed Wahhabi-centered mosques and religious schools throughout the Middle East. Wahabism is an ultra-conservative branch ...
What are the two major powers in the Middle East?
The two major powers in the Middle East are Saudi Arabia, an Arab population ruled by a Sunni majority , and Iran , a Persian population ruled by a Shia majority . 1 These two groups have been at odds for centuries. In modern times, the split has fostered battles for power and resources. The conflict between Sunnis and Shiites is often portrayed as ...
How did droughts affect the Syrian conflict?
Droughts helped cause the Syrian conflict. 33 It devastated cropland for 800,000 people and killed 85% of their livestock. They unsuccessfully looked for work in Hamah, Homs, and Daraa. Armed conflict began when President Bashir al Assad used armed forces against them.
How many Americans were taken hostage by the Shah?
Ninety people were taken hostage, including 62 Americans. After a failed military rescue, the United States agreed to release the Shah's assets to free the hostages. The United States severed diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980. Iran-Iraq War - Iran fought a war with Iraq from 1980 to 1988.
Why did Iran suspend enrichment?
Resultant economic crisis motivated Iran to suspend enrichment in exchange for relief from the sanctions.
What happened in 1979 in Iran?
1979 Iran Hostage Crisis - Following the revolution, the United States allowed the deposed Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi into the country for medical treatment. 25 To protest, the Ayatollah let the U.S. Embassy be overrun. Ninety people were taken hostage, including 62 Americans. After a failed military rescue, the United States agreed to release the Shah's assets to free the hostages. The United States severed diplomatic relations with Iran on April 7, 1980.
What are the splits between Sunni and Shia?
The greatest splits today, however, come down to politics. Although the majority of Sunni and Shia are able to live peacefully together , the current global political landscape has brought polarization and sectarianism to new levels. Shia-Sunni conflicts are raging in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan and the divide is growing deeper across ...
Where are Shia Sunni conflicts raging?
Shia-Sunni conflicts are raging in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan and the divide is growing deeper across the Muslim world. This historical schism continues to permeate the daily lives of Muslims around the world.
How many times do Shias pray?
Shias and Sunnis differ over prayer as well. All Sunni Muslims believe they are required to pray five times a day, but Shias can condense those into three. The Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, when both Shia and Sunni Muslims come together to pray. Al Jazeera English, CC BY-SA.
What are those who believe in Abu Bakr called?
Subsequently, those Muslims who put their faith in Abu Bakr came to be called Sunni (“those who follow the Sunna,” the sayings, deeds and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) and those who trusted in Ali came to be known as Shia (a contraction of “Shiat Ali,” meaning “partisans of Ali” ).
What percentage of the world population is Sunni?
Today, Sunnis comprise about 80-90 percent of the global Muslim population. On the other hand, Shias relied on Imams as their spiritual leaders, whom they believed to be divinely appointed leaders from among the prophet’s family. Shia Muslims continue to maintain that the prophet’s family are the sole genuine leaders.
Which two groups adopted different approaches to these issues?
Sunnis and Shias adopted different approaches to these issues. Sunni Muslims trusted the secular leadership of the caliphs during the Ummayad (based in Damascus from A.D. 660-750) and Abbasid (based in Iraq from 750-1258 and in Cairo from 1261-1517) periods.
What day is Hussein's battle?
For the Shia community, Hussein became a martyr. The day of the battle is commemorated every year on the Day of Ashura. Held on the tenth day of Muharram in the Islamic lunar calendar, scores of pilgrims visit Hussein’s shrine in Karbala and many Shia communities participate in symbolic acts of flagellation and suffering.
When did the Shia split from the Sunni?
The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632. This event raised the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation.
Where Do Sunni and Shia Muslims Live?
Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia are predominantly Sunni.
Why do Shia Muslims feel animosity towards Muhammad?
This is based on their positions and actions during the early years of discord about leadership in the community.
Why do Shia Muslims venerate the Imams?
Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature and that his authority is infallible because it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints. They perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession.
What is the Shia party?
The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical Shia't-Ali , or "the Party of Ali.". This group is also known as Shiites or followers of Ahl al-Bayt or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet). Within the Sunni and Shia branches, you can also find a number of sects.
Where are Shia Muslims found?
Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq. Large Shiite minority communities are also in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon. It is in areas of the world where Sunni and Shiite populations are in close proximity that conflict can arise. Coexistence in Iraq and Lebanon, for example, is often difficult.
What does the word "sunn" mean in Arabic?
The word Sunn, in Arabic, comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet.". Sunni Muslims agree with many of the Prophet's companions at the time of his death: that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job.
The Aftermath of Muhammad’s Death
Battle of Karbala and Its Lasting Significance
- In 681, Ali’s son Hussein led a group of 72 followers and family members from Mecca to Karbala (present-day Iraq) to confront the corrupt caliph Yazid of the Ummayad dynasty. A massive Sunni army waited for them, and by the end of a 10-day standoff with various smaller struggles, Hussein was killed and decapitated, and hishead brought to Damascus as a tributeto the Sunni caliph. “It …
The Sunni-Shia Divide Into The 21st Century
- In addition to Karbala, the NPR podcast Throughline identified three key milestones that would sharpen Sunni-Shia divisions by the end of the 20th century. First came the rise of the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century, which transformed Iran (through force) from a Sunni center into the Shia stronghold of the Middle East. In the early 20th century,...
Sunni-Shia Split Today
Role of Nationalism
Sunni-Shia Split and Terrorism
Role of U.S. Involvement
Timeline of The U.S. Wars in The Middle East
How Climate Change Worsens The Conflicts
History of Sunni-Shiite Split
- The Sunni-Shite divide occurred in 632 A.D. when the prophet, Muhammad, died.1 Sunnis believed that the new leader should be elected. They chose Muhammad's advisor, Abu Bakr. "Sunni" in Arabic means "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet." Shiites believed that the new leader should have been Muhammad's cousin/son-in-law, Ali bin Abu Talib...