Sunni Vs. Shi'a
By: Juliana Khan
Definitions
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Religion: < Latin religio ("fidelity"); religare ("to bind fast,
adhere to"); thus, "faithfulness and adherence to someone
(a god) or something (a belief)"
Islam: “submission, self-surrender”; monotheistic world
religion closely related to Judaism and Christianity;
adherents of Islam, called Muslims, comprise about 20-25%
of the world (1.2–1.5 billion in 2000 CE).
Sunni or Sunnite: Majority branch of Islam (ca. 85% of all
Muslims worldwide). The branch that accepts the first four
caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad.
Shi'a or Shi'i or Shi'ite: Minority branch of Islam (ca. 15%
worldwide, with several sub-groups); lit. the “faction or sect
of Ali”.
Definitions from http://catholic-resources.org/Courses/SCTR19-Spring2007.htm
Sunni
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Movement can be identified in differences with the Shi'a
Dominating continuously since 661CE
Sunni Islam claims to be continuation of revelations passed to
Muhammad
Believe Caliphs did not have to be from the Prophet’s family
Believe Prophet did not designate a successor and his sunna
were based on mandated elections, which they wanted to abide to
Believe that any good Muslim can be a leader
Leaders come from agreements of consensus and do not
recognize special sacred wisdom in their leaders
Believe that ‘Ali is not a “divine light” from the Prophet
Importance of Sunna (meaning “customs” included in Hadiths)
Shari’a: Islamic law was established
Sunni
Shi'a
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Believe in Muhammad’s teachings and religious guidance of his family,
which is referred to Ahl al-Bayt
Bloodline continues through daughter, Fatima, and Son-in-law/cousin,
‘Ali
Believe descendants are Imams fathered by ‘Ali
First three rulings of Sunni Caliphs is seen as an occurrence in history
and not something that is connected to faith
Muhammad directed ‘Ali as successor on many occasions; he is the
rightful leader of Muslim faith
‘Ali is seen as a divinely appointed imam
‘Ali has power to add to Hadith and continue newly found beliefs of
Islam
Shi'a believe in holy books after the Quran, including the Mushaf Fatima
(Book of Fatima), Al-Jamia, and Al-Jafr (The Parchment)
Branches in Shi'a: Twelvers: Twelve rightful Imams and Alawites:
believe ‘Ali is the incarnation of God
Discussion/Questions
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What kind of actions could the differences between
the Sunnis and Shi'as lead to?
Do you think there can be a compromise between
the two branches in the future, or is it too late?
What steps should be taken in order to ensure
peace?
Shi'a
Sunni Vs. Shi'a
Sunni Vs. Shi'a
Chart from: http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islamic_sects.htm
Comparison: Judaism
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1 Kings 12:1-33
– Division of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms in 930 B.C.
– The Lord is angry with King Solomon because he has disobeyed him
by following strange Gods (11:9-10)
Political Dispute
– Ten tribes were given to Jeroboam to become king of Israel.
– Solomon attempted to kill Jeroboam but he fled to Egypt until
Solomon died.
– After Solomon died his son Rehoboam succeeded him as a king
– Who is the rightful leader, Jeroboam or Rehoboam?
Religious Divisions
– Rehoboam gave harsh words towards the Israelites; he reigned over
Israelites in the cities of Judah.
– When Jeroboam had returned, he was made king over Israel (12:20)
– None remained loyal to David’s house except tribe of Judah (12:20)
Comparison: Christianity
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Second and Third Letters of John
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2 John concentrates of the problems within the church
Many deceivers will come: “do not receive him in your house”
3 John concentrates on individual Diotrephes who is spreading evil
3 John questions who should be believed, Presbyter or Diotrephes?
Political Dispute
– Martin Luther publish his 95 Theses, which placed pressure on
reformers to study the Bible
– This study had convinced him that the Church had lost views of
central truth, thought of Church as being corrupt
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Religious Divisions
– Protestants: founded 16th century
– Luther removed extra "Apocrypha" or "Deuterocanonical books"
– Protestants and Catholics split
Discussion/Questions?
 How do the different branches in
both
Christianity and Judaism parallel those found
in Islam?
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what ways are they different?
 All three religions that we have studied are
divided into different branches that continue
to splinter off into even smaller groups. Why
do you think that this is? Are divisions
inevitable for any religion?
Reflecting from Hebrew Bible:
Sunnis vs. Shi'as
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Deuteronomy 13:1-19
– Neither add nor subtract from commands (13:1)
– Pay no attention to false prophets, God is testing to
learn your love for him
– Even if a family member tempts you to fall astray, “do
not yield . . . nor look with pity upon him” (13:9)
Sunnis feel that Shi'as have attempted to add to the
beliefs that were sent by God by worships tombs of
Hussein and ‘Ali, which is seen as worshiping idols
Shi'as feel that Muhammad’s words were that the Muslims
should follow his rightful successor, ‘Ali, and therefore feel
that their actions are correct
Why Sunnis & Shi'as shouldn’t fight
 Surah
33:21-27
 Surah
49:1-18
– Covenant; rules that Muslims should abide by
– Disrespect and how brothers should be treated
Discussion/Questions?
 Why
do you think differences lead to
violence?
Current Events
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April 25, 2007
– Shi'as killed in Pakistan
– Sunnis responsible for attack
– Resulted three men to die
October 27, 2005
– Sunnis claim Shi'as are openly presenting war
– Tensions between community leads to 20 deaths
May 31, 2007
– BAGHDAD - U.S. troops battled al-Qaida in west
Baghdad on Thursday after Sunni Arab residents
challenged the militants and called for American help to end
furious gunfire that kept students from final exams and
forced people in the neighborhood to huddle indoors.
– http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq
Current Events
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May 31, 2007
– As of Thursday, May 31, 2007, at least 3,473 members of
the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war
in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,836
died as a result of hostile action, according to the military.
Summary
Differences came about immediately after
Muhammad’s death
 Differences in Shi'a and Sunni beliefs have led to
separation and difference in praying
 Differences have led to violence today, which have
led many to die especially in the Middle East
 Division is not unique to Islam but has also been a
reality in both the Jewish and Christian faiths
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Questions?