IDENTITY-SUNNI VERSION Muslim Majority Development of Identity 1. Within a few months of birth 2. Grows in family 3. Grows further in school and community.

IDENTITY-SUNNI VERSION

Muslim MajorityMuslim Majority

Development of IdentityDevelopment of Identity

1.1. Within a few months of birthWithin a few months of birth2.2. Grows in familyGrows in family3.3. Grows further in school and communityGrows further in school and community4.4. Sees differences in:Sees differences in:

a.a. ColorColorb.b. LanguageLanguagec.c. ReligionReligiond.d. Behavior and CustomsBehavior and Customs

Consequences of IdentityConsequences of Identity

1.1. When Affirmative Can be an Incentive:When Affirmative Can be an Incentive:a.a. to flourish and to flourish and

b.b. innovateinnovate

2.2. When Negative Can:When Negative Can:a.a. Lower self-respect and Lower self-respect and

b.b. even destroy self-confidenceeven destroy self-confidence

Identity in AmericaIdentity in America

1.1. Born in America and raised by immigrant Born in America and raised by immigrant parentsparentsa.a. Middle EasternMiddle Easternb.b. IrishIrishc.c. ChineseChinesed.d. Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or other identitiesBuddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or other identities

2.2. Immigrated to America, thus facing: Immigrated to America, thus facing: a.a. Cultural clashes Cultural clashes b.b. Nationality dilemmaNationality dilemmac.c. Language barrierLanguage barrierd.d. Education seekingEducation seeking

Hold to IdentityHold to Identity

1.1. Islamicly:Islamicly:a.a. SunniSunni

b.b. Shi’aShi’a

2.2. Culturally:Culturally:a.a. Habits, ethics, and MoralityHabits, ethics, and Morality

3.3. Nationality:Nationality:a.a. LanguageLanguage

b.b. EducationEducation

Two Branches of IslamTwo Branches of Islam

The Shi’aThe Shi’a

and and

The SunniThe Sunni

Islamic IdentityIslamic Identity

Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or SunniSunni

Educate yourself about your convictionEducate yourself about your conviction

Master the English to express yourself Master the English to express yourself wellwell

Express yourself with conviction and vigorExpress yourself with conviction and vigor

Talk with confidence and with prideTalk with confidence and with pride

Sunni Schools of Thought:Sunni Schools of Thought:

At first there were many Schools of At first there were many Schools of Thought (more than 20 schools).Thought (more than 20 schools).

Through time only four schools persisted:Through time only four schools persisted:1.1.HanafiHanafi

2.2.MaalikiMaaliki

3.3.Shafi‘iShafi‘i

4.4.HanbaliHanbali

Statistics as of 1996:Statistics as of 1996:

SHI’A …………………………………………..…….. 282 SHI’A …………………………………………..…….. 282 MillionsMillions

SUNNISUNNIHanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 MillionsMillions

Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 MillionsMillions

Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 MillionsMillions

Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 MillionsMillions

Similarities: Sunni-Shi’aSimilarities: Sunni-Shi’a

FaithFaith

DoctrineDoctrine

Basics of RitualsBasics of Rituals

Ethical ValuesEthical Values

EschatologyEschatology

Dissimilarities: Sunni-Shi’aDissimilarities: Sunni-Shi’a

Political: Matter of the KhilaafahPolitical: Matter of the Khilaafah

Ahlul Bayt (Family of the Prophet)Ahlul Bayt (Family of the Prophet)

Expression of Rituals: the Ritual TechniqueExpression of Rituals: the Ritual Technique

Evolution of Heritage: Shi’a versus SunniEvolution of Heritage: Shi’a versus Sunni

Source ReferencesSource ReferencesTafseer, Tafseer,

Hadith, Hadith,

Other Islamic interpretationOther Islamic interpretation

The SourceThe Source

Muhammad

Sunni Narration:Sahaaba

Shi’a Narration:Ali

Ahlul Baytfor 329 Yrs,

12 Generation

Tabi’eenFor up to 80 Yrs

Two generations

The Sunni and Ahlul BaytThe Sunni and Ahlul Bayt

300 narrators of all Al-Sihah Al-Sitta were 300 narrators of all Al-Sihah Al-Sitta were students of Al-Saadiqstudents of Al-Saadiq

70 narrators of Al-Bukhari were students of Al-70 narrators of Al-Bukhari were students of Al-SaadiqSaadiq

Ahlul Bayt Carried out the Teaching of Islam Ahlul Bayt Carried out the Teaching of Islam after the Prophet for 329 Years over Twelve after the Prophet for 329 Years over Twelve GenerationsGenerations

The best available means to teach in absence The best available means to teach in absence of mediaof media

Heritage: Sunni Versus Shi’aHeritage: Sunni Versus Shi’a

Sunni HeritageSunni Heritage Shi’a HeritageShi’a Heritage

1.1. No Celebration of Ghadeer KhumNo Celebration of Ghadeer Khum

2.2. Ashuraa: Celebrating Moses Ashuraa: Celebrating Moses crossingcrossing

3.3. Ramadhan: Taraweeh PrayersRamadhan: Taraweeh Prayers

4.4. Some Celebrate Birthday of the Some Celebrate Birthday of the Prophet (pbuh)Prophet (pbuh)

5.5. Hardly Visitations of the ShrinesHardly Visitations of the Shrines

6.6. Reading special Du’aas Reading special Du’aas (Supplications) at different (Supplications) at different occasions.occasions.

1.1. Do Celebrate Ghadeer KhumDo Celebrate Ghadeer Khum

2.2. Ashuraa: Mourning for Imam Ashuraa: Mourning for Imam Husain. Emphasize KarbalaHusain. Emphasize Karbala

3.3. Ramadhan Du’aas (Supplications)Ramadhan Du’aas (Supplications)

4.4. Celebration of Birthdays of the Celebration of Birthdays of the Prophet and the 12 ImamsProphet and the 12 Imams

5.5. Emphasize Visitations of the Emphasize Visitations of the ShrinesShrines

6.6. Emphasize Reading special Emphasize Reading special Du’aas at different occasions.Du’aas at different occasions.

Heritage: Sunni Versus Shi’aHeritage: Sunni Versus Shi’a

Sunni HeritageSunni Heritage Shi’a HeritageShi’a Heritage

1.1. Ij’tihad has been and is ClosedIj’tihad has been and is Closed

2.2. Head-Imam is employee of the Head-Imam is employee of the government, has constraintsgovernment, has constraints

3.3. Head-Imam gives forth Fatwa (not Head-Imam gives forth Fatwa (not so binding)so binding)

4.4. Mut’ah (Temporary Marriage) Mut’ah (Temporary Marriage) ClosedClosed

1.1. Ij’tihad is open and NecessaryIj’tihad is open and Necessary2.2. Head-Imam is chosen by the Head-Imam is chosen by the

people, has no constraintspeople, has no constraints

3.3. Head-Imam is the Mar’ji (to be Head-Imam is the Mar’ji (to be followed)followed)

4.4. Mut’ah (Temporary Marriage) Mut’ah (Temporary Marriage) AllowedAllowed

Sunni HeritageSunni Heritage

Identify with One of 4 Madh’habs:Identify with One of 4 Madh’habs:Hanafi and its FiqhHanafi and its Fiqh

Shafi’i and its FiqhShafi’i and its Fiqh

Maaliki and its FiqhMaaliki and its Fiqh

Hanbali and its FiqhHanbali and its Fiqh

Identify exclusively with Al-Sihaah Al-SittaIdentify exclusively with Al-Sihaah Al-Sitta

Cultural IdentityCultural Identity

Hold to your ways but be discerningHold to your ways but be discerning

Make effort to befriend people of your Make effort to befriend people of your nationalitynationality

Be friendly to AmericansBe friendly to Americans

Explain to Americans your ways with Explain to Americans your ways with pridepride

Make Frequent visits to Islamic CentersMake Frequent visits to Islamic Centers

Nationalistic IdentityNationalistic Identity

Speak your language with parentsSpeak your language with parents

Teach children Arabic as well as your own Teach children Arabic as well as your own languagelanguage

Celebrate your usual national holidaysCelebrate your usual national holidays

Attend meetings catering to your national Attend meetings catering to your national aspirationsaspirations

Unique opportunity in AmericaUnique opportunity in America

The US is your The US is your host countryhost country that gives that gives you freedom of expression and work you freedom of expression and work opportunityopportunity

As its guest:As its guest:respect the ways fit for the Americans, but respect the ways fit for the Americans, but

keep your ways intact and soundkeep your ways intact and sound

Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of you goals and aimsyou goals and aims

Unique opportunity in AmericaUnique opportunity in America

Get involved in the American ProcessGet involved in the American ProcessSeek Professions:Seek Professions:

BusinessBusinessConstructionConstructionGovernmentGovernmentPoliticalPoliticalAdministrativeAdministrativeInvestmentsInvestmentsThe Myriad others availableThe Myriad others available

Encourage your children to Pursue Professions of Encourage your children to Pursue Professions of Potential Value to America as well as Islamic SocietyPotential Value to America as well as Islamic Society

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Be in Allah’s CareBe in Allah’s Care

A.S. Hashim, MDA.S. Hashim, MD