The Division of Islam

Muslims… There are more than a billion people who are Muslims Islam is the majority religion in more than 50 countries Islam is the youngest of the 3 great monotheistic religions.

Is Islam a violent religion? Many Muslims oppose the Taliban and terrorist attacks Many Muslims do not believe these acts are representative of true Islam. (This would be like saying all Christians bomb abortion clinics).

Muhammad Muhammad was the founder of the Islam religion. He was born a merchant’s son in Saudi Arabia about 570. When he was about 40, he said he was visited by the angel Gabriel and two years later he claimed to receive messages from God, which continued through his life. Many of the messages were closely related to the teachings of both Judaism and Christianity.

Muhammad When Muhammad died, he did not appoint a successor, or replacement to lead the Muslim community. This led to a period of confusion over who would be the leader Islam followers could not agree on a leader, and Islam became divided into two major sects, Sunni & Shia

Sunni & Shia 85% of the world’s Muslims are Sunni 15% are Shia The two sects share the same basic beliefs – they both accept the Koran and adhere to the 5 pillars. Some differences, however, are quite significant. Shia have political control in ONE country: Iran but they are the majority in several other Gulf Region countries.

Who would lead Islam? A minority of Muslims supported the claim of Muhammad’s cousin & son in law Ali to be the right leader. They became known as “the partisans of Ali” also called “Shi’at Ali” or “Shia” They felt the succession of leaders known as imans, would be considered more legitimate because of their connection to the prophet Muhammad.

Shia The Shia believed that the new caliph must be chosen by Allah. They believe that Ali was the true successor. He was the husband of Muhammad’s daughter, Fatimah.

Sunni The Sunni felt the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job Muhammad’s close friends elected Abu Bakr to be the new Caliph. He was the Father of Muhammad’s wife. A Caliph is a spiritual leader of Islam.

Divisions of Islam

Percentage of Total Muslims The total number of Sunni Muslims is 85%. The total number of Shia Muslims is 15%. Sunni Islam is the largest sect of the religion.

Sunni is Green, Shia is Blue Sunnis live in most Muslim countries, but Shiites live primarily in Iran, Iraq, and Yemen.