The Sunni-Shia Conflict Analysis

These disagreements led to the development of three rival sects in the Muslim community. The Shi’ites supported Ali’s claim to the caliphate and believed that the position of caliph rightly belonged to the descendants of Ali. Those known as the Sunnis believed that the first three caliphs had been correctly chosen and supported the Umayyad Caliphate. The most militant followers of Ali formed the Kharijite (rebel) sects. Most of the 800 million Muslims of today are either Sunnis or Shi’ites.

division between Shia (followers of Ali) and Sunni (followers of the custom of the caliphate)

Two more leaders, Umar and Utham, followed, each appointed by Sunnis. The Shi’ite then began to act on their beliefs and some of Ali’s dedicated followers murdered Utham, bringing his reign to an abrupt end. In 656 A.D. Ali became the successor ( Sunni Shi’a 2).

The Sunni and Shia conflict is currently the longest running feud in the world. Both groups possess an extreme hatred for one another. Over the years, these two groups have openly expressed their hatred with one another through violent killings. This split between the Shia and Sunni originates all the way back in the 7th century. Their difference was based on political differences. As a part of my essay I will explain the difference and origins of the split between the Shi’a and Sunni and also cover the current issues between them.

In Islam there are 2 major factions: Sunni and Shia. Most Muslims are Sunni [~85%], and Shia are [~15%]. Shia Muslims, while a global minority, are the majority in Iraq [~65% of Iraqi population] and Iran [90% of Iranian population]. Most other Muslim nations have a Sunni majority: Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, ect.

The history of the split of Shiites and Sunnis Muslims dates back thousands of years. It is not a new event, however the conflicts between Shi'ites and Sunnis still exist to this day and they have been increasing. Muslims were one interconnected group without divisions or conflicts. However, in 632, after the death of prophet Muhammad Muslims needed to caliph or successor to mastermind their affairs. Therefore, they divided into two groups; Sunni and Shia. Sunni claimed that prophet Muhammad did not choose caliph to him before his death, so they chose Abu-Bakr, who prophet Muhammad’s friend and the father of his wife. Then Umar, Othman and finally, Ali. The second group was Shia who believed that prophet Muhammad before

The primary scene of division between the two subgroups, was about “who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation” after Prophet Muhammad died (Shia). While the Sunni believed that the “new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job”, the Shia Muslims believed that the “leadership should have passed directly to his cousin” (Shia). In the end, leadership of the Islamic nation was passed down to the Prophet’s close friend and advisor, instead of a relative. However, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders. Instead, they follow a line

Both Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims fall under the religion of Islam. It includes the declaration of a monotheistic God, acknowledging that the Prophet Muhammad was Allah’s messenger, and practicing the Five Pillars of Islam: testimony of the faith (Witness), prayer (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat), Fasting (Ramadan), and participating in the pilgrimage (The Hajj). Though they both are under Islam, one must understand how the divide began.

While numerous countries remain established under the ideology of Islamic fundamentalism currently, the religious conflicts between differentiating Islamic sects has initiated massive political and religious warfare. The conflicts between Shia and Sunni Muslims have dates back to the 7th century, after the death of Prophet Muhammad. This great divide still exists today, according to a 2009 study by Pew Research Center, between 10-13% of the Muslims are Shia, while 87-90% are Sunni Muslims, comprising of over 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide. While Islamic extremist may be viewed as separate from the mainstream Islamic groups, Muslim extremist groups have evolved alongside the Shia and Sunni sects. “Kharijites” were extreme doctrines which adopted

The on-going Sunni and Shiite split has influenced not only the Middle East where it originated but also impacted the rest of the world. The divide between the the Sunni and Shiite which has existed for centuries is one of the most prevalent aspects of Islam. Members of the two sects have co-existed for centuries and share many fundamental beliefs and practices. However, they differ in doctrine, ritual, law, and religious organization. Their leaders also often seem to be at odds; from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Pakistan, many recent conflicts have emphasized the sectarian divide which began with the death of Muhammad.

The Muslims were split into Sunni( those who believe anyone has a chance to become caliph) and Shia a.k.a Shiite( those who believed only Muhammad’s descendants could become the next caliph. It’s no wonder why Islam gained many followers at a faster pace than the other

Historically, the Sunnis and the Shi'ites have been at opposite sides of the ethnic/cultural/religious and political fence. Such differences have led to numerous violent encounters between the two groups, with neither group appearing to be willing to make any concessions regarding their differences. This paper will discuss the differences between Shi'ites and Sunnis based on the thesis that these differences are based on conflicting beliefs related to the successor of their Prophet Mohammad.

From this initial split other divisions and changes occurred within the religious practices and laws of Islam. While both share a belief in the Qur’an and the sunna (sayings or actions) of the Prophet Muhammad there are religious and legal differences. Imams are by the Shia definition the divinely guided ones but the Sunni defines Imaans as saints (Diffen n.d.). The Shia declared Ali and his descendants Imams with a special connection to the will of God with religious and legal authorities. The number of Imams and who were truly the divinely guided Imams would split Shias. There arose many branches but it came down to three main ones the Twelvers, the Seveners, and Zayids (Goldschmidt Jr. 2013). The Imams were mystical beings and the Twelvers believe that the 12th Imam disappeared and will one day return to set thing right for Muslims. Within the Sunni sect there are four branches of Islamic Law:

In the year 610, Muslims believe that Allah began to reveal the Quran to Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad spend the next twenty years of his life spreading the teaching of Islam with his faithfully companions, Abubakar, Umar, Osman, and Ali. He was successfully unified the Arabian Peninsula under the banner of Islam. Muhammad died without naming a successor, which lead to division among the umma, Islamic community. The political issue on who should be Prophet Muhammad’s successor transformed throughout time into the two main sects of Islam, Sunni and Shiite Islam, and shaped the history of the Islamic world.

Disagreement between Shias and Sunni have been the most important splits in Islamic religion, which are ongoing problems since the 7th century to present-day, conflict in Islamic history has initiated blood spills from generations to generations and is still taking life’s while differences in social and equal opportunities that have taken deep roots in the minds of future leaders.