10 Differences Between Shia and Sunni Muslims
Summary
TLDRThe video discusses the historical and theological differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims, dating back to the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632. It explains the leadership dispute that led to the division, with Sunnis following the first three caliphs and Shias venerating Ali and his descendants as rightful leaders. The video also highlights distinct beliefs, such as the role of Imams, veneration practices, and interpretations of Islamic texts. Despite differences, it emphasizes that both groups share core beliefs of Islam and consider themselves brothers in faith.
Takeaways
- 📜 The split between Shia and Sunni Muslims dates back to the 7th century after the death of Prophet Muhammad, largely revolving around leadership succession.
- 📊 According to a 2009 Pew Research Center study, the vast majority of the 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide are Sunni, comprising more than 85% of the global Muslim population.
- 🤝 Despite differences, Shia and Sunni Muslims share fundamental Islamic beliefs and consider each other as brothers in faith, often identifying simply as Muslims.
- 👑 Shia Muslims believe that Ali, Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law, and his descendants, the Imams, should have been the rightful leaders, while Sunnis accept the first three caliphs, including Abu Bakr, as rightly guided.
- 🕌 Shia Muslims revere their Imams as saints and believe their authority comes directly from God, while Sunnis emphasize that leadership is not a birthright but a trust earned by merit.
- 🌍 Sunni Muslims are predominantly found in regions like the Arab world, Turkey, Pakistan, India, and Southeast Asia, while Shia Muslims are primarily concentrated in Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain.
- 💀 The martyrdom of Hussein, a central figure for Shia Muslims, is commemorated during Muharram with processions and self-flagellation, though some Shia communities have banned this practice.
- 👼 Shia and Sunni Muslims differ in their beliefs about angels, with Shias believing that angels have limited free will, whereas Sunnis believe angels have no free will and only obey God's commands.
- 📝 Shia and Sunni Muslims follow different collections of hadiths (teachings of the Prophet), with Shia Islam rejecting Sunni Islam's key hadith texts, and vice versa.
- 🔍 Shia Muslims also emphasize the concept of Taqiyya, which allows them to deny their faith under extreme threats, while Sunnis focus more on the literal interpretation of Islamic texts.
Q & A
What led to the split between Shia and Sunni Muslims?
-The split between Shia and Sunni Muslims originated after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, when disagreements arose over who should succeed him. Sunnis believed the title should pass to Abu Bakr, while Shias supported Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law.
Who are the 12 Imams in Shia belief, and what is their significance?
-Shia Muslims, particularly Twelvers, believe in a line of 12 Imams who are spiritual leaders. They consider these Imams to be pure and divinely appointed. The 12th Imam, believed to have vanished in the 9th century, is anticipated to return as the Mahdi or messiah.
How do Sunni and Shia Muslims differ in their views of religious leadership?
-Shia Muslims believe that their leaders, the Imams, are divinely appointed and infallible, with unquestionable authority. Sunnis, on the other hand, believe that leadership is not a birthright but a trust that should be earned, rejecting the idea of veneration of saints or a hereditary spiritual class.
What are the key commonalities between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
-Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the core beliefs of Islam, follow the Quran, adhere to the sayings of the Prophet (hadith), and practice the five pillars of Islam. Despite their differences, they are often considered as part of a broader Islamic community.
What is the significance of the Day of Ashura in Shia Islam?
-The Day of Ashura is a significant day for Shia Muslims, commemorating the martyrdom of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. On this day, some Shia Muslims engage in self-flagellation as an act of mourning and remembrance, though this practice has been banned in some Shia communities.
How do Sunni and Shia Muslims differ in their belief regarding angels?
-Shia Muslims believe that angels have limited free will and obey God's commands, while Sunni Muslims believe that angels were created from light and have no free will at all, always following God's orders without deviation.
What is the concept of 'taqiya' in Shia Islam?
-Taqiya is a belief in Shia Islam that allows believers to deny their faith when facing grave danger, such as when their life is threatened. This principle is based on the idea of self-preservation in dire circumstances.
How do Sunni and Shia Muslims differ in their approach to interpreting the Quran?
-Shia Muslims place more importance on the inner, hidden meanings of the Quran, believing that these deeper meanings will be fully revealed with the return of the 12th Imam. Sunnis, while accepting that the Quran has an inner meaning, emphasize the literal interpretation and stress the outward teachings.
What are the differences between Sunni and Shia hadith collections?
-Sunni Muslims rely on five major hadith collections, known as Kutub al-Sittah, which include sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, including his wife Aisha. Shia Muslims reject these collections, preferring their own four books, and do not recognize hadiths attributed to Aisha.
Where are Shia Muslims primarily located, and how does this differ from Sunni Muslim populations?
-Shia Muslims are primarily located in countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain, while Sunni Muslims make up the majority of Muslims worldwide, with large populations in the Arab world, Turkey, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Outlines
🕌 Historical Roots of Sunni and Shia Differences
This paragraph explores the historical split between Sunni and Shia Muslims, which began after the Prophet Muhammad's death in 632 AD. It discusses the dispute over leadership succession, focusing on key figures such as Abu Bakr, Ali, Hassan, and Hussein. The martyrdom of Hussein played a significant role in shaping Shia beliefs. The paragraph also highlights how Sunnis view the first three caliphs, while Shias consider their leaders as imams. Despite differences, both branches share fundamental Islamic beliefs.
🌍 Global Distribution and Religious Leadership
This section discusses the global distribution of Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunnis make up over 85% of the Muslim population and are spread across regions like the Arab world, Turkey, Pakistan, and Southeast Asia, while Shias are largely found in Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain. The paragraph contrasts Sunni and Shia views on religious leadership, with Shias venerating imams as saints and Sunnis rejecting the idea of a hereditary class of spiritual leaders. Both follow the Quran, hadiths, and adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Shia
💡Sunni
💡Imam
💡Caliph
💡Muharram
💡Ashura
💡Hadith
💡Takiyya
💡Wahhabism
💡Five Pillars of Islam
Highlights
The issues between Shia and Sunni Muslims trace back to the 7th century, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.
Sunni Muslims make up the vast majority of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims.
The split between Shia and Sunni originated after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, who did not leave a clear successor.
Abu Bakr succeeded the Prophet Muhammad, but Ali's followers believed he should have been the rightful successor.
Hussein's martyrdom became a focal point for Shia Muslims, solidifying the split between Shia and Sunni.
Shia Muslims believe in a line of 12 Imams, with the last Imam believed to have vanished and expected to return as the Messiah.
Sunni Muslims focus more on God's power in the material world, while Shia Muslims emphasize martyrdom and sacrifice.
Despite differences, both Shia and Sunni Muslims share core beliefs in Islam and consider themselves part of the same faith.
More than 85% of Muslims globally are Sunni, with Shia populations concentrated in countries like Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain.
Shia Muslims believe their Imams are pure by nature and directly appointed by God, while Sunni Muslims reject the idea of a hereditary privileged class.
Sunni Muslims do not believe in the veneration of saints, contrasting with the Shia tradition of venerating Imams.
In Sunni-ruled countries, Shia Muslims often experience discrimination and are among the poorest populations.
During Muharram, some Shia Muslims practice self-flagellation to commemorate Hussein's martyrdom, though the practice is banned in some communities.
Shia Muslims believe in a concept called 'Taqiya,' which allows them to deny their faith under grave danger without violating Islamic principles.
Sunni and Shia Muslims differ in their interpretation of angels, with Shia Muslims believing angels have limited free will, while Sunni Muslims believe they have no free will.
Transcripts
The issues between Shia and Sunni Muslims go back to the 7th century
and the death of the Prophet Muhammad in the past decade there has been a ton of
spotlight on the differences between these two
branches of Islam
According to a 2009 study by the Pew Research Center the vast majority of the 1.8 billion
Muslims who are in the world are Sunni, but let's take a look at some of these differences between Shia and Sunni
Muslims how's it going? Everybody? Thank you for joining me on another episode of FTD facts
I'm Leroy Kenton and this is a question that a lot of people like myself who are not Muslim or just some different
religious backgrounds really don't
Understand so I'm gonna get into the intricacies and some interesting facts here on the differences between Shia and Sunni
Muslims so let's begin with the facts right now
first of all, let's talk about the split if you will now when the Prophet Muhammad died in the year
632 he didn't leave a successor to lead the Muslim community
So there was a lot of dispute as to who would lead them from then on
The title passed to Abu Bakr and then after him came Ali the Prophet son-in-law
But after Ali his sons Hassan and then Hussein claimed the title
Hussein's martyrdom became a central focal point to those who believed that Ali should have
Succeeded the Prophet and not Abu Bakr but Sunnis also believe that the first three caliphs
before Ali as
Rightly guided and as devoted to Allah Sunni rulers embarked on a massive
Conquest that extended the Caliphate to northern Africa and Europe now
I want to take a bit of a closer look in terms of how their beliefs actually defer
So she has considered Ali and the leaders who came after him as imams
Most believe in a line of 12 Imams the last of whom a boy is believed to have vanished in ninth century in Iraq
She has known as twelvers anticipate his return as ahmadi or the messiah
Sunnis emphasize God's power in the material world while Shias value martyrdom and
Sacrifice now despite these differences in opinions and practices Shia and Sunni
Muslims share the main beliefs of Islam and are considered by most to be brothers
That's why you don't hear anyone calling themselves. Shia muslim or sunni muslim. They're simply muslims
So just want to clear that up before I continue this episode. So now let's talk about a little bit of where they're located
Around the world now more than 85% of the world's 1.8 billion Muslims are Sunni
They live across the Arab world as well as in countries such as Turkey Pakistan India Bangladesh
Malaysia and Indonesia Iran in Iraq and Bahrain are largely Shia the Saudi royal family
practices a conservative brand of Sunni Islam known as
Wahhabism now in terms of their religious leadership
scioscia Muslims believe that the Imam is pure by Nature and that his authority is
Unquestionable because it comes directly from God
therefore Shia Muslims often
Venerate their Imams as Saints on the other hand Sunni Muslims say that there is no
basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders and
No basis at all for the veneration of saints
Sunni Muslims argue that the leadership of the community is not a birthright
But it's actually a trust that you need to earn
so Sunni and Shia Muslims follow the Quran as well as the prophets hadith or
Sayings and the Sunna which are the customs. They also adhere to the five pillars of
Islam now in countries ruled by Sunnis the Shias tend to be among the poorest of the
population they would often see themselves as being victims of
Discrimination and some form of oppression but on the other hand
extremists often denounce Shia as
heretics, but I'm not gonna dive too much into that because it's a lot of
opinions and
Speculation of what's really considered oppression and all that stuff and I'm just gonna leave that for people that want to debate that
But I want to move on now into a huge distinction the Muharram as well as self-flagellation
So Muharram is the first month in the Islamic calendar, right?
And the tenth day of Muharram is a Day of Ashura now in the Day of Ashura
Some Shia Muslims marched in parades across the streets and flogged their own backs with whips or chains
This is to celebrate Hussein and his martyrdom while this practice is permitted by some Muslims the Shia community
Has completely banned this practice. Another distinct beliefs is their belief in angels
So she is believed that angels were created by God and they obey God's commands
they have limited free will but they also have no desire to commit sins and
the Sunnis on the other hand believe that God created angels from light and they believe that they do not have any
Freewill whatsoever and they always obey God's commands
She has believed in takea which is to be able to deny faith under grave dangers
So like if somebody's holding a gun to your head and they're saying denounce your faith
It's like okay yet denounce your faith and you're not breaking anything in Islam
Now this extends to the belief that the true meaning of faith is hidden until the coming of the 12th Imam
So the Sunnis don't really place as much importance to the inner meaning of the Quran
They accept that there is an inner meaning. Yes sure, but they stress more on the literal meanings rather than
subjective
interpretation and
Offered the hadiths, right? So the habits are collections of reports regarding vomits teachings and life
Though the cron takes precedence over the Hyatts. These texts are often used in Islamic law
especially to settle disputes
Shia Islam rejects Sunni Islam zku tube al citta or the five allegedly
Original hadiths it also rejects hadiths attributed to Muhammad's wife Aisha
likewise Sunni Muslims reject Shia Islam's four books
so that concludes this episode on the differences between
Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as some of the similarities that I touched on as well and again guys
like I said at the beginning at the end of it all even though there is
Differences of opinions and certain beliefs and of the day we're also brothers and sisters regardless of what we believe
and I just want to end there so guys if you enjoyed this video give it a big thumbs up and subscribe if this is
your first time here and be sure to leave your
Comments down below and let me know any future topics that you wanted to cover here on FTD facts
And guys you've reached the end of another video, but before you go I want to leave you with some video suggestions
Here's some more videos about the different religions that we've covered on this channel as well as if you want to know any more interesting
Facts about the different parts of the world or anything in general we have videos for that as well
So click on something right here and be sure to come back every Monday to Friday for new episodes
Thanks for watching and I'll see you real soon
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