Sunni Vs. Shi'a

Sunni Vs. Shi'aSunni Vs. Shi'aBy: Jliana KhanBy: Jliana Khan

Religion: Religion: < Latin < Latin religioreligio ("fidelity"); ("fidelity"); religare religare ("to bind fast, ("to bind fast, adhere to"); thus, "faithfulness and adherence to someone adhere to"); thus, "faithfulness and adherence to someone (a god) or something (a belief)" (a god) or something (a belief)"

Islam:Islam: “submission, self-surrender”; monotheistic world “submission, self-surrender”; monotheistic world religion closely related to Judaism and Christianity; religion closely related to Judaism and Christianity; adherents of Islam, called adherents of Islam, called MuslimsMuslims, comprise about 20-25% , comprise about 20-25% of the world (1.2–1.5 billion in 2000 CE). of the world (1.2–1.5 billion in 2000 CE).

Sunni or Sunnite:Sunni or Sunnite: Majority branch of Islam (ca. 85% of all Majority branch of Islam (ca. 85% of all Muslims worldwide). The branch that accepts the first four Muslims worldwide). The branch that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad.caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad.

Shi'aShi'a or Shi'i or Shi'iteor Shi'i or Shi'ite:: Minority branch of Islam (ca. 15% Minority branch of Islam (ca. 15% worldwide, with several sub-groups); lit. the “faction or sect worldwide, with several sub-groups); lit. the “faction or sect of Ali”.of Ali”.

Definitions from http://catholic-resources.org/Courses/SCTR19-Definitions from http://catholic-resources.org/Courses/SCTR19-Spring2007.htmSpring2007.htm

DefinitionsDefinitions

SunniSunni Movement can be identified in differences with the Shi'a Movement can be identified in differences with the Shi'a Dominating continuously since 661CE Dominating continuously since 661CE Sunni Islam claims to be continuation of revelations Sunni Islam claims to be continuation of revelations

passed to Muhammadpassed to Muhammad Believe Caliphs did not have to be from the Prophet’s Believe Caliphs did not have to be from the Prophet’s

familyfamily Believe Prophet did not designate a successor and his Believe Prophet did not designate a successor and his

sunna were based on mandated elections, which they sunna were based on mandated elections, which they wanted to abide towanted to abide to

Believe that any good Muslim can be a leaderBelieve that any good Muslim can be a leader Leaders come from agreements of consensus and do not Leaders come from agreements of consensus and do not

recognize special sacred wisdom in their leadersrecognize special sacred wisdom in their leaders Believe that ‘Ali is not a “divine light” from the ProphetBelieve that ‘Ali is not a “divine light” from the Prophet Importance of Sunna (meaning “customs” included in Importance of Sunna (meaning “customs” included in

Hadiths)Hadiths) Shari’a: Islamic law was establishedShari’a: Islamic law was established

SunniSunni

Shi'aShi'a Believe in Muhammad’s teachings and religious guidance of Believe in Muhammad’s teachings and religious guidance of

his family, which is referred to Ahl al-Baythis family, which is referred to Ahl al-Bayt Bloodline continues through daughter, Fatima, and Son-in-Bloodline continues through daughter, Fatima, and Son-in-

law/cousin, ‘Alilaw/cousin, ‘Ali Believe descendants are Imams fathered by ‘AliBelieve descendants are Imams fathered by ‘Ali First three rulings of Sunni Caliphs is seen as an occurrence First three rulings of Sunni Caliphs is seen as an occurrence

in history and not something that is connected to faithin history and not something that is connected to faith Muhammad directed ‘Ali as successor on many occasions; Muhammad directed ‘Ali as successor on many occasions;

he is the rightful leader of Muslim faithhe is the rightful leader of Muslim faith ‘‘Ali is seen as a divinely appointed imamAli is seen as a divinely appointed imam ‘‘Ali has power to add to Hadith and continue newly found Ali has power to add to Hadith and continue newly found

beliefs of Islambeliefs of Islam Shi'a believe in holy books after the Quran, including the Shi'a believe in holy books after the Quran, including the

Mushaf Fatima (Book of Fatima), Al-Jamia, and Al-Jafr (The Mushaf Fatima (Book of Fatima), Al-Jamia, and Al-Jafr (The Parchment) Parchment)

Branches in Shi'a: Twelvers: Twelve rightful Imams and Branches in Shi'a: Twelvers: Twelve rightful Imams and Alawites: believe ‘Ali is the incarnation of GodAlawites: believe ‘Ali is the incarnation of God

Discussion/QuestionsDiscussion/Questions

What kind of actions could the What kind of actions could the differences between the Sunnis and differences between the Sunnis and Shi'as lead to?Shi'as lead to?

Do you think there can be a Do you think there can be a compromise between the two compromise between the two branches in the future, or is it too branches in the future, or is it too late?late?

What steps should be taken in order What steps should be taken in order to ensure peace? to ensure peace?

Shi'aShi'a

Sunni Vs. Shi'a

Sunni Vs. Shi'aSunni Vs. Shi'a

Chart from: http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islamic_sects.htm

Comparison: JudaismComparison: Judaism 1 Kings 12:1-331 Kings 12:1-33

– Division of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms in 930 B.C. Division of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms in 930 B.C. – The Lord is angry with King Solomon because he has disobeyed him The Lord is angry with King Solomon because he has disobeyed him

by following strange Gods (11:9-10)by following strange Gods (11:9-10) Political DisputePolitical Dispute

– Ten tribes were given to Jeroboam to become king of Israel.Ten tribes were given to Jeroboam to become king of Israel.– Solomon attempted to kill Jeroboam but he fled to Egypt until Solomon attempted to kill Jeroboam but he fled to Egypt until

Solomon died.Solomon died.– After Solomon died his son Rehoboam succeeded him as a kingAfter Solomon died his son Rehoboam succeeded him as a king– Who is the rightful leader, Jeroboam or Rehoboam?Who is the rightful leader, Jeroboam or Rehoboam?

Religious DivisionsReligious Divisions– Rehoboam gave harsh words towards the Israelites; he reigned Rehoboam gave harsh words towards the Israelites; he reigned

over Israelites in the cities of Judah.over Israelites in the cities of Judah.– When Jeroboam had returned, he was made king over Israel (12:20)When Jeroboam had returned, he was made king over Israel (12:20)– None remained loyal to David’s house except tribe of Judah (12:20)None remained loyal to David’s house except tribe of Judah (12:20)

Comparison: ChristianityComparison: Christianity Political DisputePolitical Dispute

– Martin Luther publish his 95 Theses, which placed Martin Luther publish his 95 Theses, which placed pressure on reformers to study the Biblepressure on reformers to study the Bible

– This study had convinced him that the Church had This study had convinced him that the Church had lost views of central truth, thought of Church as lost views of central truth, thought of Church as being corruptbeing corrupt

Religious DivisionsReligious Divisions– Protestants: founded 16Protestants: founded 16thth century century– Protestants and Catholics splitProtestants and Catholics split

Discussion/Questions?Discussion/Questions? How do the different branches in both How do the different branches in both

Christianity and Judaism parallel (similar) Christianity and Judaism parallel (similar) to those found in Islam?  to those found in Islam?  

In what ways are they different? In what ways are they different?

All three religions that we have studied All three religions that we have studied are divided into different branches that are divided into different branches that continue to splinter off into even smaller continue to splinter off into even smaller groups.  Why do you think that this groups.  Why do you think that this is?  Are divisions inevitable (normal) for is?  Are divisions inevitable (normal) for any religion? any religion?

Deuteronomy 13:1-19Deuteronomy 13:1-19– Neither add nor subtract from commands (13:1)Neither add nor subtract from commands (13:1)– Pay no attention to false prophets, God is testing to Pay no attention to false prophets, God is testing to

learn your love for himlearn your love for him– Even if a family member tempts you to fall astray, “do Even if a family member tempts you to fall astray, “do

not yield . . . nor look with pity upon him” (13:9)not yield . . . nor look with pity upon him” (13:9) Sunnis feel that Shi'as have attempted to add to the beliefs Sunnis feel that Shi'as have attempted to add to the beliefs

that were sent by God by worships tombs of Hussein and that were sent by God by worships tombs of Hussein and ‘Ali, which is seen as worshiping idols‘Ali, which is seen as worshiping idols

Shi'as feel that Muhammad’s words were that the Muslims Shi'as feel that Muhammad’s words were that the Muslims should follow his rightful successor, ‘Ali, and therefore feel should follow his rightful successor, ‘Ali, and therefore feel that their actions are correctthat their actions are correct

Reflecting from Hebrew Bible: Reflecting from Hebrew Bible: Sunnis vs. Shi'asSunnis vs. Shi'as

Discussion/Questions?Discussion/Questions?

Why do you think differences lead to Why do you think differences lead to violence?violence?

Current EventsCurrent Events April 25, 2007April 25, 2007

– Shi'as killed in PakistanShi'as killed in Pakistan– Sunnis responsible for attackSunnis responsible for attack– Resulted three men to dieResulted three men to die

October 27, 2005October 27, 2005– Sunnis claim Shi'as are openly presenting warSunnis claim Shi'as are openly presenting war– Tensions between community leads to 20 deathsTensions between community leads to 20 deaths

May 31, 2007May 31, 2007– BAGHDAD - U.S. troops battled al-Qaida in west Baghdad BAGHDAD - U.S. troops battled al-Qaida in west Baghdad

on Thursday after Sunni Arab residents challenged the on Thursday after Sunni Arab residents challenged the militants and called for American help to end furious militants and called for American help to end furious gunfire that kept students from final exams and forced gunfire that kept students from final exams and forced people in the neighborhood to huddle indoors. people in the neighborhood to huddle indoors.

– http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_re_mi_ea/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraqiraq

Current EventsCurrent Events May 31, 2007May 31, 2007

– As of Thursday, May 31, 2007, at least 3,473 members As of Thursday, May 31, 2007, at least 3,473 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,836 died as a result of hostile action, At least 2,836 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military. according to the military.

SummarySummary Differences came about immediately after Differences came about immediately after

Muhammad’s deathMuhammad’s death Differences in Shi'a and Sunni beliefs have Differences in Shi'a and Sunni beliefs have

led to separation and difference in prayingled to separation and difference in praying Differences have led to violence today, Differences have led to violence today,

which have led many to die especially in which have led many to die especially in the Middle Eastthe Middle East

Division is not unique to Islam but has also Division is not unique to Islam but has also been a reality in both the Jewish and been a reality in both the Jewish and Christian faithsChristian faiths

Questions?Questions?