Sunni Islam and Shi'a Islam

Sunni Muslims

* ==believe in the successorship to Muhmmad of Abu Bark,Umar,Uthmab and Ali==
* believe sunni leader (caliph) should be elected
* only the Quran and the Sunnah (Muhammad’s teachings of actions) have the authority to provide religious guidance
* six articles of faith give the main beliefs for Sunni Beliefs
* 90% of Muslims

Shi’a Muslims

* The Shi’a leader (called the Imam) should be a descendant of Muhammad and chosen by God
* The Qur’an, Sunnah and the Shi’a leader have the authority to provide religious guidance
* Ali, Muhamad’s cousin and son-in-law was the rightful leader after Muhammad died
* The five roots of Usual ad-Din give the main beliefs for Shi’a Muslims

shared beliefs in Sunni and Shi'a Islams

* believe in the same God
* follow the teachings in the Qur’an
* follow the teaches in the Sunnah
* acknowledge the importance of the prophets

Six Beliefs in Sunni Islam

1. ==Tawhid==- There is only one God Allah.
2. ==Angels==- Angels communicate the message of God to humans.
3. ==The Holy books==- The Qur’an is the most important writing and the highest authority in

Islam.
4. ==The prophets-== Muhammad is the most important prophet of God.
5. ==The Day of Judgement-== The Day of Judgement is when all humanity will be judged by God and

sent to paradise or hell.
6. ==The supremacy of God’s will-== The supremacy of God’s will means that God already know but also

makes happen everything that occurs in the world and in human lives.

The importance of the Six Beliefs for Sunni Muslims today:

* They are found in the Kitab al-iman (book of faith) “***That you affirm your faith in Allah, His angels, His books, His meeting, His messengers and that you affirm faith in the resurrection hereafter.***” (Kitab al-iman 1:4)
*   Unites Sunni Muslims and make them feel part of the Ummah as they all believe the same.
*   It helps them understand their faith better – they know to follow the rules so that when they are

judged, they will be rewarded with Paradise.
*   Salvation in Islam comes from believing the Six Beliefs and living in the way set out by Islam.


*   All Muslims are created **equal** in the sight of Allah, therefore Muslims should respect all people regardless of race or place of birth and should not judge people on factors such as gender, race or disability.
*   Due to this belief in equality, there are no priests or holy men with special authority in Sunni Islam.


* –  The only intermediaries between Allah and people are angels.
* –  The only people given special authority and belief in Risalah means that there can be no

prophets after Muhammad.

 People are born free from sin and bear no responsibility for the sins of others. Once you reach puberty and knowingly commit sins, then you are held responsible.

Shi’a Five Roots of ‘Usul ad Din

1. ==Tawhid==- Tawhid means that God is one.
2. ==Prophethood==- Prophethood means accepting that Muhammad is God’s last prophet.
3. ==The justice of God( Adalat)-== God is just and wise and cannot do wrong. He holds humans

accountable for their actions.
4. ==The immate-== The Imamate means accepting that twelve Imams are the leader of

Islam and guard the truth of the religion without error.
5. ==Resurrection-== After death you will be resurrected and judged by God.

**The importance of the ‘Usul ad Din for Shi’a Muslims today:**

*   They are the basis of Shi’a Islam – the roots from which the faith grows.
*   They unite the Shi’a Ummah.
*   They help Shi’ites understand their faith e.g. resurrection/judgement.
*   They show what a Shi’a Muslim must believe and guide them on how to act to ensure they go to

heaven (**Jannah).**
*   The come from the teachings of the Qur’an and the Twelve Imams.
*   Unless they understand and believe ‘Usul ad Din they will not be able to perform the acts of worship

necessary to live the Muslim life.

Similarities and differences between Sunni and Shi’a beliefs

* Tawhid of Allah: Both agree that Allah is one, the God for all and that shirk (the worship of other gods) is wrong and a grave sin.
* Adalat of Allah: Although both accept that Allah is just, Shi’as have a different understanding of how he is just. This is tied to their different view of free will, and is one of the main ways which these two branches differ.
* Angels: Both believe that angels perform the duties of Allah and that they have no free will. Especially important is Jibril who brings the revelation to the prophets.


* Prophets: Both believe that Allah sent the same message of Islam to different prophets since the creation of the first human, Adam.
* Revealed books: Both accept the same list of revealed books and that onlyt he Qur’an is the true unaltered words of Allah. There are differences over how the Qur’an should have been organised.


* Akhirah: Both believe in the Day of Resurrection and the Day of Judgement, and in heaven and hell. However, there are different views over whether humans are truly free or if their views are predestined.

 Imams: This is the main difference between Sunnis and Shi’as. To Sunnis the Imam is an educated male who leads the prayers (especially Friday prayers.) In the Shi’a tradition it is Muhammad’s successor who is infallible, has divine wisdom and comes from the Ahl al-Bayt.