how do sunni and shiite Muslim's differ?
828086
The Shia believe the the succession after the Prophet Muhammed (PBHU) should have been passed down to Ali, his cousin and son-in-law, and his offsprings. They have a hadith (a saying/occurence) of the Propeht which was recorded at his last speech in which he pointed out that Ali was to be his successors. Sunnis do not accept this point of view. They believe that the succession was based upon an election in which Abu Bakr, the Prophet's companion, was chosen to be the Muslim's leaders. \nThe result is the splitting of the Muslims into two groups. One who say that Ali and his successors are a direct link to the Prophet (PBUH) and God (of course along with the Quran).The Shia view this as Divine Commandment. The Sunnis dispute this. The other that says the Quran and narrations/sayings (hadiths) of the Prophet (PBUH) provide Muslims with their religion.\nThe Shia hold the family of the Prophet (Ahul-lul-Bayt) in very high esteem. All their Imams (spiritual leaders) descend from the Prophet's (PBUH) family. This is why the Shia commemorate the massacare at Karbala every year. In that several family members of the Prophet, including his grandson, were killed by fellow Muslims. The Sunnis of course do not commemorate this event. \n\nOf course from this the two groups differ even more. The science of hadith is different for the two. They pray differently.etc All because the sources of the religion is different.
954921
I'm with Chippy!  Mav is so cute wif her lil bow!\n\nI don't know the exact differences between their beliefs, but I can tell you that they are based on differing beliefs of cailiphs.  Cailiphs are those who took the place of Muhammad after his death...essentially, they were the "popes" of Islam.  At one point in time, debate began to grow over who was to be the next cailiph, and the infighting got so bad that two groups formed because of it.  Beyond that, I have no idea what the differences are. ;p
89905
This is one way for the insurgents to keep the pot stirred.  You must understand that the Sunnis are supported for the most part by Syria and the Shiites are supported for the most part by Iran.  In the middle is poor stupid Iraq still playing into each of their hands by trying to assemble a sectarian government.  Iraq must assemble a secular government and keep Islam out of the picture if it expects to survive the power struggle between the two factions. The extremists are supporting the Sunnis, yet the Mosque that was hit was a Shiite Mosque.  Frankly, I don't think the insurgents care who's Mosque they bomb as long as they can keep the two side running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
767449
the sitation in Iraq is understandable and it has nothing to do with "religion" \n\nregardless of the (minor) religious difference Sunnis and Shiites lived together in peace for centuries.\nit wasn't until the invasion of Iraq when hell broke loose. at first, the Iraqis rejoiced when the US military over thrown the Ba'th regime of Saddam Hussein.\n\nnow we have the Iraqi people (Sunnis and Shiites) and Al Qaida (foreign fighters from all over the Mideast and mostly Sunnis) in Iraq right.\nAl Qaida in Iraq are committed to fight the Americans in Iraq to the bitter end until we either get out or get killed. that's how they think.\n\nafter the first few months the majority of the Iraqis who "rejoiced" when Saddam was caught, started to get tired of the US occupation and the militias started to grow.\nin the beginning there was no fighting between Shiites and Sunnis at all. all the fighting was basically against the US and UK. Sunni Iraqis who wanted to get involved in this joined Al Qaida (foreign Arabs) and Shiites Iraqis joined Al Mahdi Army in Baghdad's Sadr city.\nnow this Mahdi militia was showing our troops hell until the US Army had to make a truce with their leader Muqtada Al Sadr and promised him that the new regime will be controlled by Shiites instead Sunnis who ruled Iraq for many many years under Saddam's regime.\n\nSunnis see this as treason and therefore justify killing the "traitors". they started bombing Shiite neighborhoods, mosques, and markets.\nbottom line is our military is some what responsible for all the sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites.\n\nin my opinion both Shiites and Sunnis who do kill innocent people for no reason other than being Sunni or Shiites (civilians) are vicious animals and don't deserve to breath.\nunfortunately the civil war has erupted and there's nothing we can do to stop it.\nmark my words. this current regime will not last for too long.
114276
It depends my friend, If they immigrated from Iran or some parts of Iraq then they are probably  Shias.If they come from the middeleast North Africa or elsewhere then defenitaley they are sunnis.Actually there are almost no other groups or let`s just say that these other groups didn`t spread outside the muslim countries ,even their spreading in the muslim world is very limited.If you are talking about Americans who converted to Islam ,also it depends upon the person who guided them to Islam but most probably they would be sunnis as the majority of the muslims are sunnis
265006
Well, according to the site (see below), among the "Aims & Objectives" of the Dundee Islamic Society (The Central Mosque) is the conduct of public worship according to the tenets of Islam in accordance with the "DEOBANDI Sunni Sect".   ...Worldwide, the majority of Muslims are Sunni's, so if we are talking UK as a whole then the Sunni's are most definitly in the majority.   However, there maybe isolated pockets of Shiite concentration depending on the immigrates' original homeland (e.g. Iran, parts of Iraq, Lebanon, etc.)\n\nF.Y.I.  The Sufi orders (there are a number of them depending on the Master's Lineage) are the Islamic Mystical communities.  Some of them do adhere to a especific Islamic sect, some of them do not make such distinctions, and at least one (The Sufi Order International)is not even Islamic (and/or religious-based) at all.
1150990
LOL they cannot even combine to quit trying to defeat themselves. the Sunni's kill the shi'ites and the shi'ites kill the sunni's in retaliation. Let me know how that turns out.
304488
No, apparently Muslims are as divided as most other religions.  In Iraq the Sunni neighborhoods are making the Shites leave under threat of death and visa versa.   The differences between them stem from each sect believing in different lines of succession from the prophet Muhammad.  Under big daddy Saddam the Sunni enjoyed favoritism, Shites were persecuted although both sects are followers of Islam.
937422
The word Shiite means: party\n\nThe original word was Shiiate Ali (meaning those who support Ali, a relative of the Prophet Muhammad and his son in law)\n\nIf they tell u its a different kind of Islam then theyre lying because:\n\nShiites came about from a political division back in the days when Prophet Muhammad had passed away. It has nothing to do with the religion.
102283
The Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam\nby Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com\n\nIntroduction\nThe Shia shahadah (declaration of faith) states:\n\n"There is no god but Alláh, Muhammad is the Messenger of Alláh, Alí is the Friend of Alláh. The Successor of the Messenger of Alláh And his first Caliph."\n\nIf you are already familiar with standard Sunni beliefs, you will immediately notice the addition to the shahadah regarding Imam Ali (ra), cousin of the Prophet (pbuh), husband of his daughter Fatima, father of Hassan and Hussein and the second person ever to embrace Islam. The term Shia or Shi'ite derives from a shortening of Shiat Ali or partisans of Ali.
929803
It’s a difference in leadership selection after a major civil war in history of Islam between Imam Hussain and Yazid.\n\nBoth Sunni and Shia regards Imam Hussain being just on war against Yazid as he was cruel self proclaim King/ Monarch (never before him there were a person in Islamic history who got Leadership/Kingship and or khalafat from father based on blood line.)\n\nSunni’s point of View:\nSunni’s claim that the way of leadership selection should be based on selection committee as in case of first four Sunni Caliphs after death of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh). Abu Baker his best friend and the first adult male convert to Islam after Prophet wife Khatijda. The later two were also Prophet’s companion. Lastly the 4th Imam Ali was prophet’s Son-in-law (also first male/teenage convert to Islam). Ali was a noble Muslim and become a advisor of all his precedent Caliphs. Imam Hussain the son of Imam Ali foght against Yazid who claimed to be first Monarch of Islam and Yazid have been regarded villain in both Shia and Sunni tradition. Unfortunately the Yazid was so cruel to martyred  Imam Hussain and become the self proclaim Caliph. Sunni’s view is that although the prophet’s grandson was the best righteous Muslim to be Chaliph on merite at the time; the Chaliphate or Leadership position in itself can not be just based on blood line for future succession.\n\nShia’s point of View (in my understanding):\nShia which means group (Group of Ali) consider that Prophet choose Ali for his succession i.e. Caliphate but after his death people rushed and elected Abu Bakar (his friend) as first Leader while Ali wasn’t present there due to his Father-in-law’s death. Later Ali only accepted Abu Bakar  as leader just to avoid a big political dispute in Muslim community of young Islamic capital city of Medina. Ali continued his help for later 2 caliph Umar and Osman as best advisor.\nWhen Imam Ali’s son Imam Hussain got Shaheed by Yazid armies Shia kept their royalty to Ali under cover in Yazid rule.\n\nFINAL NOTES:\nMost probably Shia believe that all the Civil war and Imam Hussain shahadat would have been avoidable if Ali were to be elected as First leaders of believers. After deaths of 11th Imams from Ali blood line the 12th Imam disappear.\n\nAfter the Imam’s disappears today Shia and Sunni should be more similar since now both elect their current leaders based on Shura (connsole) as in Iran (Shia dominant) and some semi democratic ( Islamic republics) of Sunni majority countries.\n\n\nPROPHET LAST SERMON: 632 C.E\n\nProphet Mohammad (peace be upon him)\nO people! Listen and obey though a mangled Abyssinian slave is your Amir if he \nexecutes the ordinances of the Book of Allah among you. ....\n\n(Majortiy of Shia’s and some Sunni’s don’t include above part in their books of Hadith sayings of Prophet, though they belief on later part of equality between Humans)\n\nAll mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over a white - except by piety and good action. ........\n\n==========================\nThe purpose of listing my thoughts is only for learning and understanding purpose no offence meant please, please do correct me in my mistakes and misconception; my Sunni & Shia friends.\n\nHope this will help.
275603
Most shias and Sunnis dont have a problem. \nHowever, some of them do and are acting based on history and Emotions.\n\nEmotions.\nWhen Saddam was in power, he executed and killed many shias. (Saddam was a sunni) but many sunnis beleive he didnt do the right thing by torturing the Shia.\n\nNow that there is no one to torture the Shias, they the shias are reacting more towards their emotions of the past.\n\nOfcourse, the few who have no control of their emotions, attack anyone who comes inbetween unfortunately.\n\nMost Sunnis and Shias are united. It is the few who are not quite setting things straight end up making a big mess.\n\nAll the clerics of the Shia and Sunni are calling for unity and peace and hopefully, this meassage goes through to the few who are filled with emotions, in the Sunni and the Shia.
801574
SUNNI\n\nThe conflict between the two is on the spiritual leader, SUNNIs are pro-mohammed and Shiites...some ayatollahs
845558
The major split in Islam is that between the majority Sunnis and the minority Shiites.  The split goes back to events in the 7th century:\n\nAfter Mohammed’s death,  leadership of the Islamic community passed to Abu Bakr, one of Mohammed’s closest companions.  Some in the community felt that this succession was not legitimate, and that the title of caliph really belonged to Ali.  Ali’s claim was supported by the fact that he was Mohammed’s cousin, his adopted son, his first convert (at the age of nine), and husband of his daughter Fatima.  Both sides believe that Mohammed specifically designated their man:  Supporters of Abu became the Sunnis, those of Ali the Shiites.\n\nThe  Caliphate passed from Abu Bakr to Umar, and from Umar to Ulthman.  Ulthman at last passed the torch to Ali.  When Ali was murdered in 661, the Caliphate passed to Muawiya, who would found the famous Umayyid Caliphate.  Ali was buried in Najaf in what is now Iraq, and the site remains a major Shiite holy site. \n\nSunni refers to the sunnas, or oral traditions and interpretations of the Koran -- a body of work similar to the Jewish Talmud.  Sunnis believe that the position of Caliph should be a position to which one is elected by the religious leaders of the Islamic community, and not dependent on direct lineage from Mohammed.\n\nShiite comes from the word shia, which means “the party (of Ali).  They are mostly found in Iran and Iraq, and among the Palestinians.  They consider certain direct descendants of Ali -- the Imams -- infallible and the true inheritors of Mohammed.  Ali was the first Imam, his son Hassan the second, his second son Hussein the third.   Ali’s sons were killed in the conflict with Caliph Muawiya.  However, their succession ended with the 12th Imam, who went into hiding in 940.  Most Shiites believe that the 12th Imam will reemerge someday as the Mahdi or Messiah, and reassert his leadership of the Islamic world.  In the meantime, ayatollahs are elected to serve as caretakers of the faith.
226003
this may not be EXACTLY  the difference in the rituals, but the diffenence in their belief  which I think probably is more important.\n\nhttp://www.dianedew.com/islam.htm
373634
Most of them are 'Twelvers.' They are the dominant Shiite faction in Iran and Iraq. The others factions exist but are not a force to reckon with.\nThey are known as 'Twelvers' as they believe in the return of the twelvth imam, or Imam Mahdi as he is known. They believe he entered a well and is still alive in a state of occultation. He will return during the end times and rule the world in its final days just before the day of judgement.
964158
The differences of Shia and Sunni muslims are -\n\nShi'a Islam, Even though it is the second largest denomination of Islam, among the hundreds of millions of Muslims Shi'a muslims are considered to be a minority in number. Shi'a Muslims adhere to what they consider to be the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family whom they refer to as the Ahlul Bayt. Thus, Shi'as consider the first three ruling caliphs of Islam a historic occurrence and not something attached to faith. The singular/adjective form is Shī’ī (شيعي.) and refers to a follower of the Household of Muhammad and of Ali ibn Abi Talib (Imam Ali) in particular\n\nSunni Muslims are the largest denomination of Islam. They are referred to as Ahl ul-Sunna . The word Sunni comes from the word sunna , which means the tradition of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. Sunnis are also referred to as Ahl ul-Sunna wa-l-Jama'ah (people of tradition and congregation) which implies that the Sunnis are united. They represent the branch of Islam that came through the caliphate, which started with Abu Bakr.\n\nSunni (Arabic: سني ) means follower of the sunna of the Prophet, with some details.