Marshall Berkeley Robbie Martin Paul Schmidt Sunni Shi’ite Split

632 AD – Prophet Muhammad died 632 AD – Prophet Muhammad died Abu Bakr named 1 st successor (Caliph) Abu Bakr named 1 st successor (Caliph) –Most Muslims accepted decision, but some supported Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law –Followers of Ali believed that the Prophet Muhammad named Ali as his successor –Abu Bakr and his next two successors, Umar and Uthman, were considered illegitimate by Ali’s followers –656 AD – Uthman was murdered by some of Ali’s followers –Ali was named as the successor –661 AD – Ali was assassinated by forces of Uthman

The 2 Sides Disagreement over who should be the successor to the Prophet Muhammad Disagreement over who should be the successor to the Prophet Muhammad –Some believed in succession based political merits communal consensus  “Sunni” – meaning “followers of customs” –Others believed in succession through “bloodline” of the Prophet  “Shi’a” – meaning “supporters” or “helpers of Ali”

Distribution of Muslims Green – Sunni Blue – Shi’ite

Sunni Islam

Religious Practices and Beliefs Majority of Muslims are Sunnis Majority of Muslims are Sunnis Accepted first four Caliphs as “Rightly Guided” Accepted first four Caliphs as “Rightly Guided” Less powerful religious hierarchy Less powerful religious hierarchy Lenient on who leads prayer Lenient on who leads prayer Perform Salat 5 times daily Perform Salat 5 times daily

Interesting Fact Osama Bin Laden was a Sunni Osama Bin Laden was a Sunni –Extreme Sect

Sunni Law Based on Based on –Qu’ran –Hadiths –Sunna The four legal schools The four legal schools –Hanafi –Maliki –Shaf’I –Hanbali

Sectarian Divisions Ibadi Sect Ibadi Sect –Has been misrepresented as a Sunni Sect

Shi’ite Islam

Religious Practices and Beliefs Centers around Ali’s younger son Centers around Ali’s younger son –Hussein Shi’ites permit Muttah Shi’ites permit Muttah Salat – can pray twice consecutively (1+2+2) Salat – can pray twice consecutively (1+2+2) Three Schools of Law: Three Schools of Law: –Twelver Shiism –Ismaili (Sevener) Shiism –Zaydis (Fiver) Shiism

Core Fundamentals between Sunnis and Shi’ites Share common doctrines and beliefs Share common doctrines and beliefs –Qu’ran –Muhammed is the messenger –Hadiths somewhat differ –Qiyas (Analogy) –Ijma (Consensus) –Ijtihad (Individual Reasoning) Both recognize the Five Pillars Both recognize the Five Pillars Recognize each other as Muslims Recognize each other as Muslims

Interesting/Crazy Stuff Shi’ite Muslims – Ashoura Day Shi’ite Muslims – Ashoura Day –Ritual in which they cut their scalps to remember the death of Imam Hussein –Shows the Shi’ite suffering from Sunnis - During the Islamic holy month of Moharram - Some of the demonstrators flagellate themselves