BRANCHES OF ISLAM The Most Important Schism

Disputed Leadership On the death of Muhammad, the Prophet, two followerships developed: I. Sunnis – followers of Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law – 800 million II. Shiites – followers of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law – 100 million

SUNNIS  Called “Sunni” because they accept the “sunnas,” the oral traditions and interpretations of the Koran after Muhammad’s death  Usually more liberal than Shiites  Believe the “caliph” (“successor” of Muhammad) should always be elected, not hereditary  Believe in Predestination

SHIITE  “Partisans” – More orthodox and militant than Sunnis  Mainly in Iran, Iraq, and Palestine  Created the office of “Imam” = “leader” or “guide”  Twelve Imams succeeded Ali (last one went into hiding in 940 & will reemerge to rule the world as “Mahdi” = Messiah)

Shiite Ayatollahs  The present Ayatollahs (“signs of God”) see themselves as joint caretakers of the office of the Imam until he returns at the end of time

Wahhabi - I  Small group founded by al-Wahhab in 18 th century  Primary force in creation of Saudi Arabia* in 1932  The Puritans of the Muslims – literal interpreters of the Koran *[Mecca & Medina, cities of pilgrimage, are both located in Saudi Arabia]

Wahhabi - II  Consider visits to graves of the saints is polytheism  Are against observance of the Birth of the Prophet  Discourage such Western innovations as cinema and dancing

Kharijites  The early seceders of Islam  First major sect that appeared in Islam  Broke off when Ali submitted a conflict between himself and Mu’awiyah* to arbitration *[fought Ali, seized Egypt for himself, became fifth caliph after Ali was assassinated - descendents established as the Umayyad dynasty]  Dogmatic and fanatical sect