SUNNI // SHI’A DIVIDE Islam in Iran

Word Worm! Sect: –A subdivision of a larger religious group

Definitions: Sunni one of the two main branches of Islam and differing from Shia in its understanding of the Sunna and in its acceptance of the first three caliphs. Shi’a one of the two main branches of Islam, followed especially in Iran, that rejects the first three Sunni caliphs and regards Ali, the fourth caliph, as Muhammad's first true successor.

Approximately 85-90% of Muslims today are Sunni

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The schism between the two initially stemmed not from spiritual differences but from political ones. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, a debate ensued over who should take his place as leader of the faith. Most of the prominent Muslims of Medina claimed that Muhammad had named no successor and elected Abu Bakr, the Prophet’s closest advisor and companion, as the first caliph (successor). This was an extremely controversial appointment, as other Muslims argued that Muhammad had designated Ali as his successor. Ali was the Prophet’s son-in-law and closest male relative, and those who supported him felt not only that his succession had been the intention of the Prophet but also that his blood tie to Muhammad was a sacred bond.

Ali’s supporters, who believed that direct descendants of Muhammad were the only rightful leaders of the faith, would become known as the Shia (from “Shi’at Ali,” or “the party of Ali”). Those who became the Sunni believed instead that their leaders should be elected from among those most capable, politically. Both sides occasionally gained control in the fractious early Caliphate, and although Ali eventually became the fourth caliph, his reign was short and ended in assassination. He was followed by Muawiyah of the prominent Umayyad family, but when Muawiyah was succeeded by his son, Yazid I, the Shia revolted, demanding that Ali’s son, Hussein, be named caliph. Hussein set out from Mecca to meet his supporters, but he and his family were massacred by Umayyad troops at the Battle of Karbala. While political power would occasionally still shift after this, the Shi’a were to remain an often-persecuted minority throughout the era of the Caliphate.

Shia doctrine is based on a interpretation of Islam established by the “imams,” religious leaders who were descendants of Muhammad and whom the Shia consider to be the sole interpreters of Islamic theology. In Shiism, the Qur’an contains layers of meaning beneath the literal meanings that were revealed by the imams. The Shia also have their own versions of the “hadith,” the collected sayings and deeds of the Prophet, and thus have a distinct interpretation of Islamic law and culture. The Shia tradition adds to Islam a significant passion element, the observance of the murders of Ali and Hussein, and an occult and messianic element, the belief that Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth and “hidden” imam who disappeared in 874 A.D., is alive but hidden from the world by God and will return in the final days to restore the world to justice. Politically, generations spent as a persecuted minority have made the Shia quicker to resent authority than the Sunni and to view spiritual life as a struggle for social justice and against oppression.

Caliph: The successor of Muhammad (King-ish) Caliphate: Constitutional theocracy, kingdom of Islamic Empirical influence from the death of Mohammed until the 13th century 1)Abu Bakr: (early convert and trusted advisor) 2) Umar 3) Utman 4) Ali: (Muhammad’s son-in-law) Killed by saber! Ali’s Sons… 5) Hassan: Poisoned 6) Hussein: Beheaded at Karbala After Muhammad’s death, there is no direct line to become Caliph –Sunnis back Abu Bakr –Shi’a back Ali –Ali is killed in 5 year civil war (true split of Islam begins) Sunni’s WIN and Caliphate becomes monarchy (called Umayyads): Battle of Karbala (Present day Iraq) Battle of Karbala (Present day Iraq) Supporters of Ali vs Sunni Umayyad Caliphate All men killed, Hussein martyred BEGINNING OF SHI’A OPPRESSION: –Shi’a flee to present day Iran Shi’a = oppression

Muhammad established no church or institutional structure for Islam; indeed, the faith's basic notion that all believers were equal before God seemed to rule out the notion of a priesthood. But Islam was a social and political movement as well as a religious one. And as the Arab empire expanded, Islam incorporated elements of the cultures it encountered, giving rise to varying schools of interpretation of the texts of Islamic belief:Muhammad established no church or institutional structure for Islam; indeed, the faith's basic notion that all believers were equal before God seemed to rule out the notion of a priesthood. But Islam was a social and political movement as well as a religious one. And as the Arab empire expanded, Islam incorporated elements of the cultures it encountered, giving rise to varying schools of interpretation of the texts of Islamic belief: the Qur'anthe Qur'an the "sunnah" (the exemplary words and deeds of Muhammad)the "sunnah" (the exemplary words and deeds of Muhammad) the "hadith" (the records kept by Muhammad's companions).the "hadith" (the records kept by Muhammad's companions). With the rise of religious institutions and the expansion of Islamic scholarship, doctrinal arguments developed, which led to the development of a number of sects and schools of thought.With the rise of religious institutions and the expansion of Islamic scholarship, doctrinal arguments developed, which led to the development of a number of sects and schools of thought.