Gravitas Plus: The Shia-Sunni Divide: Understanding the split

Summary

The video script delves into the historical origins of the Shia-Sunni divide, highlighting the 7th-century dispute over the succession of Prophet Muhammad. It explains how the split led to the formation of two distinct groups with differing views on leadership and religious practices. The script then transitions to modern times, detailing how political power struggles, especially between Iran and Saudi Arabia, have intensified sectarian tensions. It emphasizes that while the divide began as a religious disagreement, it is now deeply intertwined with political motivations, influencing conflicts across the Islamic world.

Takeaways

• 🕌 A new faith, Islam, was introduced in Mecca in the 7th century, centered around allegiance to one God and rejecting polytheism.
• 📜 Prophet Muhammad did not leave behind a clear successor, leading to a split among his followers after his death.
• ⚔️ The division between followers resulted in the formation of two main groups: Sunnis, who believed in electing a leader from the community, and Shias, who believed the leader should be from the Prophet's bloodline.
• 👑 The Sunni majority elected Abu Bakr as the first Caliph, while the Shias supported Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law.
• 💔 The assassination of Ali and the denial of leadership to his sons led to a power struggle, which eventually caused a civil war and further deepened the Sunni-Shia divide.
• 🩸 The martyrdom of Ali's son Hussein at the Battle of Karbala became a defining moment for Shias, symbolizing their resistance and identity.
• 🏴 Shias and Sunnis developed distinct religious practices and theological differences over time, though they lived in relative peace for much of their history.
• 🌍 The Shia-Sunni divide became more pronounced in the late 20th century, particularly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, leading to increased sectarian tensions.
• 🔥 The modern Shia-Sunni conflict is as much about political power, resources, and control as it is about religious differences, with Iran and Saudi Arabia being central players.
• 🔄 Proxy wars and regional conflicts in the Middle East, such as in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, are often driven by the rivalry between Shia-majority Iran and Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia.

Q & A

What is the core belief of Islam?

The core belief of Islam is the submission to one God, which is the basis of the religion's name, and the rejection of polytheism and idolatry.

Who was the messenger of Islam?

Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of Islam, who unveiled the new faith to the people of Mecca in the 7th century.

Why did the followers of Prophet Muhammad split after his departure?

Prophet Muhammad did not designate a successor or heir, leading to a dispute among his followers over who should lead the Islamic faith after him.

What are the two main groups that emerged from the split in Islam?

The two main groups that emerged from the split are the Shias and the Sunnis, who are united in their religion but divided in their views on leadership and religious practices.

What is the key difference between Shias and Sunnis regarding the succession of Prophet Muhammad?

Shias believe that the leadership should be based on bloodline, favoring the prophet's family members, while Sunnis believe that the community should elect a pious successor regardless of lineage.

What historical event solidified the division between Shias and Sunnis?

The Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, was martyred, is a pivotal event that deepened the divisions between Shias and Sunnis.

How did the Safavid Dynasty impact the Shia-Sunni divide?

The Safavid Dynasty in the 16th century transformed Iran into a Shia stronghold, making Shia Islam the state religion and contributing to the demographic segmentation of Shia and Sunni populations.

What is the percentage of Shia Muslims in the global Muslim population?

Shia Muslims comprise approximately 10 percent of the global Muslim population, while Sunni Muslims make up the remaining 90 percent.

Why has the Shia-Sunni divide become more significant in recent history?

The divide has become more significant due to political factors, with countries like Iran and Saudi Arabia using the religious differences to further their own interests and engaging in proxy wars.

How do the practices of Shias and Sunnis differ during prayer?

During prayer, Shias stand with their hands at their sides, while Sunnis place their hands on their stomachs, reflecting some of the differences in their rituals.

What role did European colonialism play in the Shia-Sunni divide?

European colonialism led to the decline of the dynasties that had shaped the divide, but it did not eliminate the differences, which later influenced the formation of modern nation-states and demographic patterns.

Outlines

00:00

🕌 The Origins of Shia-Sunni Split

The script introduces the historical origins of the Shia-Sunni divide within Islam, dating back to the 7th century. It explains that the split began after the death of Prophet Muhammad, who did not designate a successor, leading to a dispute among his followers. One group, later known as Sunnis, believed in electing a leader from the community, while another, the Shias, insisted that leadership should pass through the bloodline of the Prophet. This disagreement resulted in the formation of two distinct groups within Islam, each with its own interpretation of religious practices, rituals, law, and theology. The script also highlights how this divide has historically led to periods of violence and conflict, particularly in the late 20th century, with the rise of extremist groups within both sects.

05:02

🌐 The Impact of Shia-Sunni Divide on Global Politics

This paragraph delves into the geopolitical implications of the Shia-Sunni divide, emphasizing how historical religious differences have been exacerbated by modern political dynamics. It discusses the transformation of Iran into a Shia stronghold under the Safavid dynasty and the subsequent power struggles between Shia and Sunni dynasties across various regions. The script notes the demographic distribution of Shia and Sunni Muslims, with Shias forming a minority in countries like Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, and Sunnis being the majority in most other Muslim countries. It also touches upon the role of proxy wars and indirect conflicts between regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Iran, which have intensified sectarian tensions. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that the divide is as much about politics and power as it is about religious beliefs, with the underlying causes being the pursuit of influence and control.

Keywords

💡Islam

Islam is a monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century CE by Prophet Muhammad. It is based on the belief in one God and the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims believe to be the word of God as revealed to Muhammad. In the context of the video, Islam is the foundation upon which the schism between Shia and Sunni Muslims arose, as both groups adhere to the religion but have different interpretations and practices.

💡Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad is considered the last prophet of Islam, who received revelations from God that were compiled into the Quran. His life and teachings form the basis of Islamic practice. The video discusses the significance of his death in 632 CE, which led to a dispute over his succession and ultimately the division between Shia and Sunni Muslims.

💡Shia

Shia Muslims are the second-largest branch of Islam, who believe that leadership should have passed to Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, and his descendants. The video highlights the historical and theological differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims, including the Shia's belief in the divine right of the Imams, who are considered to be the rightful spiritual and political leaders of the Muslim community.

💡Sunni

Sunni Muslims are the largest branch of Islam, who believe that leadership should be elected from the community and not necessarily restricted to the bloodline of the Prophet. The video explains that Sunnis follow the Sunnah, the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad, and they believe in consensus and community leadership rather than a hereditary line of caliphs.

💡Caliph

A caliph is a leader in Sunni Islam, considered to be the successor to Prophet Muhammad as the political and religious leader of the Muslim community. The video discusses the dispute over who should be the first caliph after the death of Prophet Muhammad, which was a pivotal moment leading to the Shia-Sunni split.

💡Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr was a close companion of Prophet Muhammad and the first caliph in Sunni Islam, chosen by the Muslim community after the Prophet's death. The video mentions Abu Bakr as a key figure in the early Islamic community whose election as caliph was contested by those who believed leadership should have passed to Ali, leading to the division between Sunnis and Shias.

💡Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali ibn Abi Talib was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad and the fourth caliph in Sunni Islam, but the first Imam in Shia Islam. The video describes how the dispute over Ali's rightful place as the successor to Muhammad contributed to the division between Shia and Sunni Muslims, with Shias believing in the divine right of Ali and his descendants.

💡Battle of Karbala

The Battle of Karbala was a significant event in 680 CE where Ali's son, Hussein, was killed in a battle against the Umayyad Caliphate. The video emphasizes the impact of this event on Shia Muslims, who view Hussein's martyrdom as a defining moment in their history and a symbol of their struggle against oppression.

💡Safavid Dynasty

The Safavid Dynasty was a major Shia Muslim dynasty that ruled Iran from the 16th to the 18th century. The video notes that the Safavids played a crucial role in transforming Iran into a Shia stronghold, which had lasting implications for the religious and political landscape of the region.

💡Proxy Wars

Proxy wars are conflicts in which states support opposing sides without directly declaring war on each other. The video discusses how modern-day tensions between Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shia-majority Iran have led to proxy wars in various regional conflicts, such as in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon, amplifying the Shia-Sunni divide.

💡Sectarian Violence

Sectarian violence refers to conflict between different religious groups, in this case, between Shia and Sunni Muslims. The video highlights recent incidents of sectarian violence, such as bombings of Shia mosques, which have raised concerns about the resurgence of an old conflict driven by the ancient religious divide.

Highlights

In the 7th century, Islam was unveiled in Mecca, advocating monotheism and rejecting polytheism.

Prophet Muhammad's followers spread Islam across the Arabian Peninsula, creating a large community.

After Prophet Muhammad's death, a division arose among his followers over his successor.

The split led to the formation of two main groups: Shias, who believed in bloodline succession, and Sunnis, who favored a pious leader.

Despite theological differences, Shias and Sunnis mostly lived in peace throughout history.

The late 20th century saw a deepening of the Shia-Sunni divide, leading to violence and bloodshed.

The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), an extremist Sunni group, has targeted Shia mosques in recent attacks.

The Shia-Sunni divide has fueled conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Yemen.

The divide is not just about religion but also deeply intertwined with politics.

The historical succession dispute following Prophet Muhammad's death is a key origin of the Shia-Sunni split.

Sunnis follow the tradition based on the Prophet's practices, while Shias believe in the divine right of the Prophet's bloodline.

The Battle of Karbala in 681 A.D. was a pivotal event that sharpened the divisions between Shias and Sunnis.

The Safavid Dynasty in the 16th century established Shia Islam as the state religion in Iran, impacting regional dynamics.

Shias are a minority globally, making up 10% of Muslims, while Sunnis form the majority in over 40 countries.

Modern conflicts have often been proxy wars between Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and Iran (Shia) for regional influence.

The Shia-Sunni divide today is driven as much by a desire for power and control as it is by religious differences.

Transcripts

in the 7th century a new faith was

unveiled to the people of mecca a new

religion based on allegiance to one god

they called it islam or submission to

god its message was to reject polytheism

and idolatry the messenger was prophet

muhammad his followers spread the word

across the arabian peninsula they built

a large community they united in belief

and practices but after the prophet left

his followers split

that bitter divide still remains

what was it about

prophet muhammed successor

he did not leave behind an heir he did

not say who should lead the islamic

faith after him so his followers fought

and two prominent camps emerged one said

the prophet's bloodline should succeed

him a member of his own family should be

the new leader or caliph the other camp

said that the islamic community should

choose a pious successor and this debate

was never resolved and islam split into

two groups the shias and the sunnis

united in their religion divided in

their views also in their doctrine

rituals law and theology

despite these differences shias and

sunnis lived in relative peace through

most of their history the distinctions

were largely irrelevant but starting the

late 20th century the schism deepened it

exploded into violence and bloodshed

extreme brands of both sex began

fighting for supremacy both religious

and political

hello and welcome to gravitas plus i'm

palki sharma

on the 8th of october afghanistan

witnessed a suicide bombing a shia

mosque in the city of kunduz was

attacked 100 worshipers were killed and

injured who was behind it the islamic

state of khorasan province iskp a terror

outfit that endorses an extreme form of

sunni islam on the 15th of october

another shia mosque was targeted this

time in qatar dozens were killed

hundreds were injured it was absolute

carnage

these attacks have sparked fears of

sectarian violence of the resurgence of

an old conflict driven by an ancient

religious divide that has played out in

west asia for decades

the shia sunni divide has fueled a civil

war in syria spurred violence that

fractured iraq and widened fissures in a

number of islamic countries bahrain

lebanon and yemen to name a few

so it's important that we understand

what this divide is how much of it is

about religion and how much of it is

driven by politics

we'll start with history

632 a.d prophet muhammad's passing it

split the islamic community they fought

over his successor one group wanted to

elect the prophet's companion abu bakr

as the first caliph or the leader of the

islamic community the other group

favored ali ibn abi talib the prophet's

cousin and son-in-law

now those in favor of abu bakr call

themselves sunnis

followers of the sunnah they derive

their name from the phrase

meaning people of the tradition

tradition in this case refer to

practices practices based on what the

prophet said did condoned or condemned

the sunnis were a group of prominent

early followers of islam they wanted a

leader to be elected from the community

not the family

they believed in consensus

not lineage or dynasty

the shias on the other hand believed

that succession should be based on the

bloodline so they favored the prophet's

son-in-law ali to be the first caliph

they formed a movement known as shiat

ali meaning the party of ali or the

partisans of ali

they believed that ali and his

descendants were part of a divine order

and only they could guide islam and the

muslim community righteously

but the shias were in relative

minorities so the sunni majority won

they chose abu bakr as the first caliph

umar ibn al-khattab as the second caliph

and uthman ibn afan as the third caliph

all three of them were trusted

companions of the prophet so far the

sunnis triumphed politically but the

shias continue to consider the prophet's

descendants as the true caliphs

they kept pushing for them eventually

ali was elected the fourth caliph he was

the prophet's cousin and son-in-law but

his rule was short-lived ali was

assassinated by his enemies ali's sons

hassan and hussein wanted to take his

place but they were denied the right of

accention

this led to a power struggle at stake

was not just the prophet's legacy but

the entire caliphate which now stretched

beyond the arabian peninsula there was

also a lot of money involved in the form

of taxes and tributes paid by various

tribes under the banner of islam

now this combination of money and power

led to a civil war

the result of the war was this the

caliphate was passed to the umayyad

dynasty in damascus then it went to the

abbasid dynasty based in baghdad the

shias rejected the authority of both

these sunni rulers they kept fighting

in 681 a.d when the umayyads were in

power

ali's son hussein led a group of 72

followers from mecca to karbala which is

now in iraq

he went there to confront the corrupt

caliph yazid but he was killed by a

massive army of the umayyads he was

decapitated and brought to damascus as a

tribute to the caliph the sunnis thought

this would end all claims of leadership

by the shias but their actions had the

opposite effect

hussein's martyrdom became a watershed

moment for the shias a defining moral

story of their tradition

a hallmark of their identity and

existence today it is commemorated each

year as ashura the tenth day of maharam

and the most solemn date in the shia

calendar

they mark it with collective atonement

and self-flagellation the battle of

karbala had a lasting impact it

sharpened the divisions between shias

and sunnis the sunni caliphs worried

that the shias would use it to capture

public imagination and topple monarchs

so they persecuted and marginalized the

shias further portrayed them as heretics

and apostates then in the 16th century

came the first major shia dynasty the

safavid dynasty transformed iran from a

sunni center to a shia stronghold in

west asia it made shia islam the state

religion

and fought with the ottomans the seat of

the sunni caliphate

from this power struggle emerged a

series of shia and sunni dynasties they

spread all over the world from europe to

the indian subcontinent from central

asia to africa with the onset of

european colonialism these dynasties

faded but the shia sunni differences did

not

by the 20th century their empires took

the shape of countries their legacies

resulted in demographic segmentation

most shia muslims settled in iran iraq

azerbaijan bahrain lebanon with small

communities in india and pakistan today

they comprise 10 percent of the global

muslim population the remaining 90 are

sunni muslims

they are settled in west asia in central

asia south asia africa sunni muslims

form an overwhelming majority in more

than 40 countries

for much of their modern history the

shia sunni divide was largely irrelevant

in these countries the differences were

limited to their beliefs and practices

like when they pray shias stand with

their hands at their side sunnis put

their hands on their stomachs sunni

clerics wear white robes shia clerics

wear black robes shias often venerate

clerics as sane sunnis do not she has

believed in self-flagellation sunnis do

not rarely did these differences spill

into conflicts shias and sunnis lived in

mixed neighborhoods

they also frequently intermarried

but in the last few decades the divide

has deepened especially after 1979 when

an islamic revolution took place in iran

and a new brand of shia islam emerged it

clashed with the sunni conservatives of

saudi arabia both theocracies began

fighting for religious and political

control sunnis and shias inadvertently

got sucked into this power struggle

but interestingly the saudis and the

iranians have never really declared war

on each other instead they fight

indirectly they fight proxy wars they

support opposing sides in other

conflicts

we've seen this during the war in iraq

the civil war in syria the civil war in

yemen the uprising in bahrain the

political unrest in lebanon all of this

is said to be a result of the rivalry

between saudi arabia and iran a sunni

and shia power both amping up

sectarianism to serve their interests

what does this tell you

that the shia sunni divide today is as

much about religion as it is about

politics

yes it may have stemmed from a 7th

century religious dispute but that

dispute is not primarily driven by faith

it's driven by a desire for power

resources and control

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