Islam: history, beliefs, and practices

Sunnis and Shiites

Shia and Sunni are two major sects of Islam. Shias or Shiites as commonly known share most of the fundamental beliefs with Sunnis but there are differences in practices, rituals and some beliefs as well, due to which they are considered two completely different sects. These differences are however not considered as major as probably with some other sects like Ahmedis, Bohras, and Ismailis but are still enough to keep the sects separate and usually people from one sect wouldn't want to marry a person from the other sect, even though it is not prohibited in Islam.

Differences begin with the kalma, the first and foremost declaration that brings a person into Islam. Kalma shahadat, explicitly declares that Allah is the only God to worship and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is His messenger.(Molloy) For Sunnis, the kalma states just this and nothing more. It is not altered and no additions of any sort have ever been made. However for Shiite, a major addition has been made which is one reason Sunnis do not consider them as strictly the followers of Prophet Mohammad's (pbuh) religion as they do themselves. This addition states that Ali, the last Caliph is the friend of Allah and was the first Caliph. However history records that it was Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique, a very close friend of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and a highly pious man who was the first Caliph. The bone of contention lies in this very fact. Shiites know that Hazrat Ali was not the first Caliph but feel that he should have been.

The differences then extend to prayers, Imams (religious scholars) that they two sects follow or consider important, fasting timings, religious months of celebration etc. According to Shiite faith, Moharram, the first month of Islamic Calendar is the month of mourning since that is when Ali's (May God be please with him) son Hazrat Imam was killed on the battleground of Karbala. However Sunnis do not share the same beliefs and feel that Moharram is one of the four extremely important months of Islamic Calendar and is a month that should be accorded respect but mourning is definitely not allowed. The concept of mourning is not accepted in Islam and at the most Muslims can mourn for three days. It is for this reason that Sunni Muslims do not see Moharram as a month of mourning.

Shiite Muslims also give exalted status to Hazrat Ali who was Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)'s cousin and his son-in-law as well. However while Sunni Muslims respect him a great deal for he was Prophet's companion, they accord similar degree of respect to all other companions and the other three Caliphs as well.

The historical rift that marked the beginning of separation of sects began after the death of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and more specifically after the death of third Caliph Hazrat Usman. The differences "are directly linked to the issue of succession following the death of Prophet Muhammad." (Abbas) After his death, Hazrat Ali became the Caliph but some forces refused to accept him as caliph till he avenged the brutal murder of Hazrat Usman. Two of these forces were Hazrat Aisha, wife of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and Mu'awiya (cousin of Hazrat Usman). Mu'awiya waged a war against Hazrat Ali in which the latter was defeated to some extent as he had to sign an agreement with his opponent. However this compromise was not accepted by some of Hazrat Ali's supporters and he was murdered by one of his men. (Amin) This resulted in deep rift between the two sides as supporters of Hazrat Ali began calling themselves Shias while supporters of the other side became Sunnis -- the very word 'Sunni' refers to "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."(about.com) However it must be borne in mind that despite the war and other conflicts between the two sides, Sunnis have always respected Hazrat Ali as a companion of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and his cousin and son-in-law.