Learn to Tell the Difference Between Sunni and Shiite Beliefs

Sunni and Shi'a are the two biggest branches of Islam, while both bear witness there is no God but only Allah and believe Muhammad is the final prophet, but there are some differences.

Steps

1. Know that most Muslims are either "Sunni" or "Shi'a". A small amount belong to other groups, namely Wahhabi, Salafi, Ismaili, etc.
2. Understand why Islam was divided.
3. After Muhammad's demise, some companions of Muhammad elected a companion Abu Bakr to lead and they became known as 'Sunni' which means followers of the Prophet's sunnah (his practices). Sunnis main leaders after the Prophet are the 4 caliphs, Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. The Sunni also place great importance on one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives Aisha who led a major movement after his demise. Following the four caliphs (whom the Sunni refer to as the four rightly guided caliphs) many other caliphs also reigned some warring against others until the caliphate was finally destroyed in Turkey. Since there was an influx of unauthentic hadith (saying of the prophet) and, massive interpolation of authentic Hadiths, Sunnis were further divided into four main schools of thought depending on the teacher they choose to provide the correct interpretation and compilation of the ahadith (Hanafi, Shafii, Hanbali, Maliki.) The majority of Sunnis accept Shia as Muslim however there has been an ongoing debate since they hold that the Shia dislike (and even abuse) the Sunni's first three caliphs whom the Sunni maintain are the closest companions and therefore, best friends of the Prophet Mohammad. Furthermore, the Sunni believe that the ideal time (as far as human completeness) was at the time of the Prophet, followed by the time of the caliphs.
4. The Sunni maintain that Islam has the 6 Pillars of Faith and Five Pillars of Islam (Worship):
   • The six Pillars of Faith are:
     • Belief in Allah: means believing firmly in His existence, Lordship and Divinity, and in His names and attributes.
     • Belief in Allah’s Angels: This is to believe that the angels exist. No one knows their exact number except Him (Allah). He created them to worship Him.
     • Belief in Allah’s Books: It is to believe that Allah revealed Divine Books to His Messengers in order for them to convey to mankind. These Books contained nothing but the truth at the time of revelation. All these Books called people to the Oneness of Allah, and that He is the Creator, Proprietor and Owner, and to Him belong the Beautiful Names and Attributes. Some of these Books are as follows:
       • The Torah: The Torah is the Sacred Book which was revealed to Prophet Moses .
       • The Zaboor (Psalms): The Zaboor is the Sacred Book which was revealed to Prophet David .
       • The Injeel (Gospel): The Injeel is the Sacred Book which was revealed to Prophet Jesus .
       • The Noble Quran: One must believe that the Quran is the Speech of Allah which Angel Gabriel brought to Muhammad and that it is the last of the Divine Books which abrogated all previous Books.
     • Belief in the Messengers of Allah: It is to believe that Allah chose the finest amongst mankind to be Messengers whom He sent to His creation with specific legislations; to worship and obey Him, and to establish His religion and His Tawheed (oneness). Allah ordered His Messengers to convey the Message to people, so that they would not have any proof against Him after He sent them.
5. Allah says:
6. "And We sent not before you, [O Muhammad] except men to whom We revealed [the message] so ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know". (21:7)
7. Belief in the Last Day: It is to believe that the life of this world will come to an end. Allah says:
8. Everyone upon it [i.e., the earth] will perish. And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor. (55:26-27)
9. Belief in Qada and Qadar (Predestination): It is to believe that Allah knew everything before it came into being, and what will happen to it afterwards. He then brought them into existence, all in accordance to His Knowledge and Measure.
10. Memorize the Five Pillars of Islam:
11. (1) The shahada (Islamic testimony of the Oneness of God and that Mohammad is His Prophet): In Arabic it is known as Ash-Shahadah – Declaration of Faith. “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God, and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His servant and Messenger.” The Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh)
12. Obliges the Muslims to follow his exemplary life in every way.
13. (2) Daily prayers (salah): Prayers are prescribed five times a day as a duty towards God. They strengthen
14. And enlighten the belief in God and inspire individuals to a higher morality. They purify the heart and control
15. Temptation towards wrongdoing and evil. “O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayers, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.“ (Quran 2.153)
16. (3) Fasting during Ramadan (sawm): Fasting is observed once each year during the month of Ramadan. This
17. Means abstention from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset. Fasting teaches love, sincerity and devotion. It develops a sound social conscience, patience, unselfishness and
18. Willpower. Muslims believe when they fast by choice, God remembers their suffering.
19. (4) Almsgiving (zakāt): This is known as Zakat payment. Annually 2.5% of the net saving is spent on the poor or needy, as a means of purifying their possessions. The word Zakat means purification and growth.
20. Each Muslim is responsible for calculating and giving their own Zakat individually. Many Muslims also give as
21. Much they can Sadqa, (voluntary donation) and it is best to do so secretly.
22. (5) The pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) at least once in a lifetime. Pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia
23. Once in a lifetime is obligatory, provided one has means to do so. Hajj implies an individual’s temporary
24. Suspension of all worldly activities and realization of oneself as a single soul in front of God alone.
25. The word "Shia" means follower and the Shia maintain that the Prophet used this word specifically for people who would follow Ali after his demise. The Shi'a do not recognize the first three caliphs of the Sunnis (Abu Bakr, Umar, Othman). Instead, they provide that Ali ibn Abu Talib was appointed in the Quran by God and by the Prophet on numerous occasions such as the day of Ghadir, recognised by all the Muslims including the 3 caliphs. They (the Shia) further believe that only God has the right to choose a representative to safeguard Islam, the Quran and Holy law. The teaching of the shia are taken from the Quran, the Prophet's sayings and the narrations of these through a chain of authority of the prophets family/descendents. All of these descendents (including Ali) were either poisoned or killed after being placed by house arrest by the caliph of their time except that the Shia maintain that similar to Jesus and Prophet Khizr who were either saved and given long life, their 12th Imam (leader/descendent) went into occultation after and attempt on his life at age 6.
26. One prominent descendent who was allowed to teach (for a few years before being poisoned) was called Imam Jafar as-Sadegh and he founded the first Islamic University and hence the shia are commonly called Jafari (or following Ja'far).
27. The majority of Shias believe in 12 leaders (Imams) who were descendents of the prophet through his daughter Fatima (and wife of Ali -the Prophet's cousin and first muslim man) and are therefore another name of Shias is twelvers. The pillars of religion according to the shia are 1) Monotheism 2) Divine Justice, 3) Prophethood, 4) Imamate (Divine leadership), and 5) Day of Judgement. Besides these, there are secondary branches incorporating practices such as praying, fasting, hajj etc.
28. Recognize the different traditions and holidays of each branch of Islam. Shi'a celebrate many other days for their saints and martyrs such as 10th Muharram (month of Islamic Calendar) are days of mourning for Shi'a, for the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali (grandson of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and their 3rd leader/Imam) and his entire family (including children) by the caliph of the time in the Battle of Karbala.They gather for majalis ( gathering in which Hussain ibn Ali and the Karbala is the topic),Chest beating, Noha (Sad poetry in which story of karbala is portrayed) etc.The Sunni consider Muharram as a holy month as all Muslims cite it as the beginning of the Muslim calender , they keep fast, remember the martyrdom of Hussain ibn Ali but do not follow practices of Zanjir Zani and Matam (Chest beating). Shia also have the day of Ghadir, when they believe their first Imam, Ali, was appointed by the Holy Prophet (as opposed to Abu Bakr).
29. Understand that some Sunni consider the Shi'a and their practices to be heretical. Sunnis often do not understand how the Shia can be opposed to companions of the Prophet and follow the 12 Imams. They maintain that since the companions knew more than we do and were closest one can get to perfect human beings, it is wrong to argue or consider historical actions of these companions including wars and their power struggles. Similarly since they hold that the issue of divine law and succession is one that is better decided by vote (ijma). The Sunni first Caliph was voted for, the second was appointed by the first, the third was again voted by a group of 5 people selected by the second Caliph and the last was by general public. On the other hand, most Shias believe that the 3 caliphs stole the position of leadership from Ali ibn Abu Talib. Shias also accuse the 3 caliphs of other various crimes, such as oppressing and stealing the rights of Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet and the wife of Ali ibn Abu Talib and state that their leadership was rather a political maneuver.
30. Both sects pray 5 times a day, but the Sunnis pray with their hands folded over their chests while Shia pray with their hands open at their sides.
31. Shias, on the other hand, refer to Marja'ahs (religious) based in Iran, Iraq and other countries for fatwas. The difference between both is that Shias have stricter guidelines to following Maraja'a but one has to deduct which to follow based on research into scholarship merit. Sunnis do not have to follow Mufti's words with such discipline and choose the head of the religious institution.Sunnis refer to Muftis who are based in Egypt or Saudi Arabia for fatwas (guidelines) to Islamic laws.

Tips

• Accept that for all Muslims, the undisputed fact is the authenticity of Quran and the ultimate source of knowledge.
• All Muslims regardless of sects believe in Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the last prophet and sent to us (Muslims or non Muslims) for the peace and humanity.

What links here

• Perform Sunni Namaz