Sunnis and Shi’ites

Sunnis

“Well-todden path”.

The largest Islamic Group
More conservative
Believe that Caliph (spiritual and secular successor to Muhammad) must be a member of Muhammad’s tribe (the Koresh)
The Caliph is elected.
The Sunnis believe that each individual has a direct relationship with Allah

Split from the Sunnis over leadership
Ali (Father of Fatimah) is the first Imam
Husayn (Ali’s younger son) atoned from the sins of Muslims by dying in battle therefore he is viewed as a martyr among the Shias
They recognize 11 Imams and believe the 12th is in hiding and will reemerge to rule: all Imams died mysteriously except for the last one referred to as the Mahdi
The Shias believe that the Qur’an was tampered with by enemies of Ali since it does not mention his name
They search for hidden meanings in the Qur’an and distrust the present world order
The Shias are the dominant sect in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon

A mystical movement
The most famous Sufi was Al-Ghazali who lived in the 12th century
Al-Ghazali developed a theology of love as the root of all mystical relationships with Allah
The Sufis are the smallest group but are fairly influential
They do not follow Muslim rulers, salvation is more individualized
Believe that meditation and prolonged fasts will lead to illumination from Allah
The word sufi means “wool-wearers” since they wear simple wool robe as a sign of their poverty

The Imams in the Sunnis are local leaders of prayer

Imam is a God-given post that is open only to a descendent of Muhammad through Ali

Believed that Muhammad intended to be established a hereditary line of religious leaders called Imams to teach and guide the faithful