Miscellaneous

Why do Sunni and Shia differ?

Why do Sunni and Shia differ?

They chose sides following the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in AD 632. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, Muslims had a disagreement; Sunnis believed that Muhammad’s successor should be Abu Bakr and Omar, and the Shias believed that his successor should be Ali.

What are the 3 main sects of Islam?

As with all other world religions, Islam is represented by several major branches: Sunni, Shi’a, Ibadi, Ahmadiyya, and Sufism.

What are the different sects of Sunni Islam?

Sunni Islam is separated into four main schools of jurisprudence, namely, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali. These schools are named after Abu Hanifa, Malik ibn Anas, al-Shafi’i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal, respectively. Shia Islam, on the other hand, is separated into three major sects: Twelvers, Ismailis, and Zaydis.

Is Saudi Arabia Sunni or Shia majority?

According to official statistics 90% of Saudi Arabian citizens are Sunni Muslims, 10% are Shia. (More than 30% of the population is made up of foreign workers who are predominantly but not entirely Muslim.)

Is Shia a religion?

Shi’a Islam, also known as Shi’ite Islam or Shi’ism, is the second largest branch of Islam after Sunni Islam. Shias adhere to the teachings of Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family (who are referred to as the Ahl al-Bayt) or his descendants known as Shia Imams.

What do the Shia believe?

Shia Muslims believe that just as a prophet is appointed by God alone, only God has the prerogative to appoint the successor to his prophet. They believe God chose Ali to be Muhammad’s successor, infallible, the first caliph (khalifah, head of state) of Islam.

Which country has the most Shias?

Most Shi’as (between 68% and 80%) live in mainly four countries: Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Iraq. Furthermore, there are concentrated Shi’a populations in Lebanon, Russia, Pakistan, and 10 sub-Saharan African countries.

Does Shia believe in Prophet Muhammad?

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