What are the two major sects of Islam and what divides them?

The divide between Sunnis and Shia is the largest and oldest in the history of Islam. Members of the two sects have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices.

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.

Do Sunnis believe in Mahdi?

The concept of the Mahdi is a central tenet of Shi’a theology, but many Sunni Muslims also believe in the coming of a Mahdi, or rightly guided one, at the end of time to spread justice and peace. He will also be called Muhammad and be a descendant of the Prophet in the line of his daughter Fatima (Ali’s wife).

Why did the Muslims split after Muhammad’s death?

Create your account After the Prophet Muhammad’s death, Muslims became divided over who should acquire leadership. The division of Islam refers to the two main groups in… See full answer below.

What was the split between Sunnis and Shiites in Islam?

This lesson will seek to explain the divide between the Sunnis and Shiites of Islamic culture. In doing so, it will highlight the Prophet Muhammad, Ali, Abu Bakr, and the position of Islamic Caliph.

What are the three major branches of Islam?

The Major Branches Of Islam. Followers of the faith recorded these revelations in the Qur’an. As with all other world religions, Islam is represented by several major branches: Sunni, Shi’a, Ibadi, Ahmadiyya, and Sufism. These branches started to develop after Muhammad’s death when people began to disagree on the successor of the religion.

Who was the third most important group in Islam?

The Kharijites, (=Khawarij) in early Islam were the third most important group, after the Sunnis and Shi’ites. Like the Wahhabis, they only wanted the pure, original teaching, but unlike the Wahhabis an essential part of their teaching was obedience to ‘Ali as the rightful caliph.