How many types of Islam are there?

Though the two main sects within Islam, Sunni and Shia, agree on most of the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam, a bitter split between the two goes back some 14 centuries. The divide originated with a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Islamic faith he introduced.

How are Sunni and Shia different?

Those who followed the Prophet’s closest companion (Abu Bakr) became known as Sunni (the followers of the Prophet’s example – Sunnah). Those who followed the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law (‘Ali) became known as Shi’a (the followers of the Party of ‘Ali – Shi’atu Ali).

What are the different types of Muslims in the world?

The first division in Islam resulted in the Sunni and Shia branches. Sunnis make up between 84 and 90 percent of Muslims and are relatively comfortable following Islam in a secular society. They believe in a caliphate with a leader who is both spiritual and secular head of the Islamic world.

What are the three main streams of Islam?

Today, there are many streams within Islam. But during the time of the Prophet Mohammed, Islam split into just three streams: the Shiites, the Sunnis and the Korani. The majority of Muslims are now Sunni. Every Muslim that truly believes in the Koran is Korani.

What are the four main branches of Islam?

The four main branches of Islam are Shia, Sunni, Wahhabi and Sufi. There are, however, over 150 different smaller sects of Islam in total, along with the semi-hybrid religion Bahaiism. The first division in Islam resulted in the Sunni and Shia branches.

What kind of Islam are there in Saudi Arabia?

Followers of Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, can be found in both the Shiite and Sunni communities. Conservative Muslims have developed their own approaches Islam, such as the fundamentalist Wahhabi movement in Sunni Islam that holds sway in Saudi Arabia.