An aspect of Islam which many in the West do not understand is the division into the two main sects: Sunni and Shi’a.
Basically, 90% of Muslims are Sunni and 10% are Shi’a. Geographically, it is easy to think of Sunni as being Saudi Arabia with the majority of Islamic countries and Shia being the predominant sect in Iran & Iraq.
Below is information on the two gleaned from the web. (Some are linked in the article and others below. If there are errors please DM me on X.)
A Madhhab map. (Madhhab: any school of thought within Islamic jurisprudence.)
The sub-sects are way more complex and include moderate and extremists in both. (Khawarij appears to be tiny now, though I could not find their current numbers.)
This same difficulty is in reverse for many Muslims viewing Christianity which is broadly split into Catholicism and Protestantism—but has several sub-divisions and up to 1800+ denominations! (The diagram below is from an Islamic organization.)
ISLAMIC SCHISM
The split in Islam originated with the death of Muhammad in 632. As he had no direct descendants, the issue of succession led to war and the “Islamic Schism.”
Sunnis believe that Muhammad did not nominated a successor and accept any practicing Muslim chosen by agreement of the authorities of the Muslim populace (ummah) as Imaam. Shiites believe Muhammad nominated his cousin/son in law Ali ibn Abu Talib and that the Imamat (spiritual leadership) rested with Ali and his male descendants.
A major factor in the continuing split is that Shiites consider that Islam has not achieved its ‘ultimate glory’ because it was “hijacked by hypocrites, especially the first three Caliphs” (Sunni Islam.)
THE PILLARS OF FAITH
There are 5 Pillars of Faith for Sunnis.
I have seen different references regarding Shiite Pillars. It appears there are 10 Obligatory Acts for Shiites: 4 Pillars, Jihad and 5 specific Acts which differentiate them from Sunnis.
Most of the Pillars are self explanatory.
The Shahadah is the Islamic profession of faith—much like the Christian Creed. "I bear witness that there is no deity but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." A single honest recitation of the Shahada is all that is required for a person to become a Muslim according to most traditional schools. Shiites use the Shahadah as the profession of faith, but it appears not to be one of their Pillars.
Sunni
Shahadah: The Testament of Faith
Salah: prayer
Zakat: mandatory alms, 2.5% for needy
Sawm: fasting
Hajj: pilgrimage
Shi’a
Salah: prayer
Sawm: fasting
Hajj: pilgrimage
Zakah – giving to the poor.
Jihad: see below.
Khums: 20% on profit for Imaam & the needy & mandatory alms
Amr-bil-Maroof: promotion of good
Nahil Anril Munkar: dissuasion from bad
Tawalia: re-affirmation / Love for God and love for those who follow him.
Tabarra: Disassociation from the enemies of Islam starting from first Caliph
JIHAD
Westerners only recognize the military aspects of Jihad, whereas in the context of the Pillars it has a much broader meaning. Jihad means "exerting", "striving", or "struggling", especially with a praiseworthy aim. It can refer to almost any effort or struggle in personal, social, religious life and includes internal struggles with evil; efforts to build a good Muslim community (ummah) and the defense of Islam.
TEACHING ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
We can get a taste of the Muslim view of Jesus from the text in the diagram of Christian sects above.
Sunni and Shi’a views on aspects of Jesus’ life are mostly similar and are summarized below:
Sunni
Birth of Jesus: Virgin Birth
Death of Jesus: Denied. Jesus did not die on the cross, but his body went up to heaven.
View of other Abrahamic religions:
Christianity and Judaism are "People of the Book."
Resurrection of Jesus: Denied.
Shi’a
Birth of Jesus: Virgin Birth
Death of Jesus: Denied. Jesus did not die on the cross, but his body went up to heaven.
View of other Abrahamic religions:
Christianity and Judaism are "People of the Book."
Resurrection of Jesus: Denied. Jesus did not die on the cross. Jesus will come back down from heaven in the future.
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
Kevin Hay
You can follow Kevin on 𝕏 / Twitter @ kevinhay77
If there are errors please DM me on X. Main additional references used:
Wikipedia.
https://www.diffen.com/difference/Shia_vs_Sunni
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/04/world/middleeast/q-and-a-how-do-sunni-and-shia-islam-differ.html