RELIG201 Quiz 9

Shia / Sunni (compare & contrast)

The two main branches of Islam, divided over the succession after Muhammad’s death. Sunnis believe the first caliph was Abu Bakr. The Imam is chosen through the community—more political and based on consensus. Doesn’t grant divine authority to leaders. Shias believe Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was divinely appointed as his successor and that leadership should remain within his lineage. The Imam is considered divinely inspired and infallible. They also emphasize martyrdom (especially Husayn), whereas Sunnis stress unity and community tradition (sunnah).

Sanad

the chain of transmission in a hadith report. It documents the line of narrators who passed down a saying or action of the Prophet from one person to another. Scholars carefully examined each person in the chain to determine whether the report was reliable, based on memory, reputation, and whether they actually lived at the same time and place. The strength of the sanad determines whether a hadith is classified as sound, weak, or fabricated. This method became part of the “science of men,” a scholarly discipline that developed to preserve authenticity.

Sharia

Islamic religious law. It provides a legal and moral framework that regulates both public and some private aspects of life. Its based primarily on the Qur’an and the Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet). It guides the Muslim community (ummah) in worship, ethics, family life, and social justice, rather than being only a legal code

Imam (Sunni Sect)

Imam is generally a prayer leader in a mosque. The role is not divinely inspired and does not carry infallibility. Sunni imams guide worship and may provide religious teaching, but they do not act as intermediaries between God and believers. Leadership is through consensus, tradition, and legal scholarship rather than divine appointment. The imam’s authority is therefore practical and communal rather than sacred or prophetic.

Imam (Shia Sect)

Imam holds much higher spiritual and political authority. Shias believe the Imam is divinely appointed and directly descended from the Prophet through Ali. The Imam is considered infallible, sinless, and uniquely guided by God in interpreting revelation. In Twelver Shi’ism, there are twelve Imams, the last of whom is believed to be in hidden & will return as the Mahdi.

Hanif

a pre-Islamic Arabian monotheist who followed what was believed to be the pure faith of Abraham. They weren’t Jewish or Christian but rejected polytheism and wanted monotheism. The Qur’an refers to Abraham as a hanif, emphasizing his pure devotion to one God. Moses and Jesus are also seen as embodying this monotheism.

Caliphate

the political institution established after Muhammad’s death, to lead the Muslim community (ummah). The caliph is the Prophet’s political successor but not a prophet or recipient of revelation. The caliph’s role is to implement Sharia within the community. Disputes over who should become caliph led to the Sunni–Shia division. Historically, caliphates such as the Abbasid period oversaw significant sociocultural development.

Ritual

a formalized religious practice that expresses belief through repeated actions and symbols. Includes prayer, fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage (hajj), and recitation of the Qur’an. It reinforces unity within the ummah and connect believers to God through practice. They are a form of repentance and self-examination. They shape both individual spirituality and communal identity.
Pillars of Islam:

• Shahadah

• Prayer

• Almsgiving

• Fasting

• Pilgrimage

• Jihad