Sunni vs. Shia
Key Differences
Comparison Chart
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Population
Successor after Prophet
Majority Found In
Mourning and Self-Scourge
Sunni and Shia Definitions
Sunni
Shia
Sunni
Shia
Sunni
Shia
Sunni
Shia
What is Sunni?
Sunni or Aahal e Sunnah are the Muslims who considered that Prophet Muhammad did not appoint him any successor; the Muslim community collectively elected Abu Bakr as the First Caliph of Islam. Sunni Muslims are the largest denomination of religion after Catholics. 85 to 90% of Muslims all around the globe are Sunni Muslims. They have a political contradiction with Shia Muslim, who considered Ali Ibn Abi Talib as the first Caliph and Imam. Sunni Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad did not appoint his any successor himself and the Muslim community that time unanimously elected Abu Bakr as the first official Caliph of Islam. Abu Bakr was among the closest companions of Prophet Mohammad, and he was also the Father in the law of Prophet Muhammad. After the decision, the political differences between Shias and Sunnis kept on increasing. According to Sunnis, there are four rightful Caliphs as they were appointed in order. 1st caliph Abu Bakr, 2nd Caliph Umer Bin Khattab, 3rd Usman Bin Affan and fourth Ali Ibn Abi Talib. Sunni Islam is considered as the orthodox Islam as it possesses a massive percentage of followers. Sunni does believe in the fourth caliphs and the further decedents from this chain as mentioned in history. Sunni’s further have various divisions and school of thoughts. Major Sunni School of thoughts includes Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali, and Hanafi. Sunnis celebrate traditional Holy days such as Eid Ul Fitr after the month of Ramazan, in which the Muslims keep fast. Eid Ul Adha at which Muslims sacrifice animals i.e. sheep, goats, cows, etc. as a Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim. At the 10th of the month of Muharram or more commonly known as Ashura Sunnis keep fast in remembrance of Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad who was martyred with his family in the battle of Karbala and for Moses as well in remembrance of his crossing of the sea. Sunnis do not mourn like Shia Muslims and do not self-flagellate themselves as Shia do commonly.
What is Shia?
Shia Muslims and Sunni do possess similar basic beliefs about One God (ALLAH), Prophets, Holy Books, Angels, Predestination and Judgment day. The major difference between both these divisions of Islam is due to the political difference that formed after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Shia Muslims are the 2nd largest sect of Islam with over 10 to 15 % overall Muslim population all around the globe. According to Shia beliefs, Prophet Muhammad wanted his son in law and cousin Ali Ibn Abi Talib as his successor and First caliph. Abu Bakr, the Father in Law of Prophet Muhammad, was chosen as the First Caliph despite Ali Ibn Abi Talib which led the political differences. Shia Muslims does not consider the three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar Bin Khattab, and Usman Bin Affan) before Ali Ibn Abi Talib that in real remain Caliphs and completed their reign. Shia only considers Ali Ibn Abi Talib as their first Caliph and Imam. Including Ali Ibn Abi Talib Shia Muslims believe in 12 Imams that are Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Hassan Ibn Ali, Hussain Ibn Ali, Zain Ul Abideen Ibn Hussain, Muhammad AlBaqir, Jaafar AlSadiq, Musa ALkazim, Ali ALraza, Muhammad AliTaqi, Ali AlNaqi, Hasan Alaska and the one yet to come that is Al-Mehdi. Shia Muslims mourn and self-Scourge themselves in the remembrance of the martyrdom of Hussain Ibn Ali and his family at the Battle of Karbala on 10th of Muharram. Apart from flagellating on Ashura, mourning and self-flagellation is part of their regular activities in mosque and Imambarghas.
