Split Between the Shi'a and

¶ … split between the Shi'a and Sunni Muslim sects. The writer explores the two sects and explains how the split occurred. There was one source used to complete this paper. For people who are not Muslim or closely familiar with the faith of Islam it appears that the faith is singular in nature, however for those who are educated about the faith it is well-known there is a deep split between the Sunni and the Shia sects of the faith that has led to anger and hatred.

The Split The most significant difference between the two sects is the belief in Ali as a central figure in the Sunni sect of Islam. The Sunni believe that Ali was the fourth and therefore the final "rightly guided caliph" and the faith is built around that core belief. The Shias on the other hand, strongly believe that Ali should be named the first caliph and that the caliphate can only pass through direct descendants of Mohammed.

The Sunni believe that there were several significant events leading to the naming of three caliphs before Ali was named, and the Shia believe that those named before Ali were not true descendants or caliphs but mere men who were treated as caliphs (the Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com).

The Sunni believe that "the line of Mohammed (pbuh) through Ali and Hussein became extinct in 873 CE when the last Shia Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, who had no brothers disappeared within days of inheriting the title at the age of four. The Shias refused, however, to accept that he had died, preferring to believe that he was merely "hidden" and would return.

When after several centuries this failed to happen, spiritual power passed to the ulema, a council of twelve scholars who elected a supreme Imam (the Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com)." The two sects do agree on several core fundamental beliefs of Islam including the Five Pillars.

They also recognize each other as fellow Muslims though the Sunnis believe the Shia take the faith for granted, while the Shias believe the Sunnis have broken away from the fundamentals and designed their own faith to fit their desires and beliefs (the Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com).

Instead of missionary work to non-Muslims, the Shia harbor a deep-seated disdain towards Sunni Islam and prefer to devote their attention to winning over other Muslims to their group. There is ongoing violent strife between Sunnis and Shias in Pakistan.

On the other hand, in recent years there has been signification co-operation between the two groups in the Lebanon (the Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com)." On a practical level there are different calls to prayer in each sect, including the Shias placing their foreheads on a piece of hardened clay instead of directly onto the prayer mat while praying (the Origins of the Sunni/Shia split in Islam http://www.islamfortoday.com/shia.htm by Hussein Abdulwaheed Amin, Editor of IslamForToday.com).

Shias also are allowed to worship three times a day instead of the five times a day that Sunni are called to do. Shia Islam also permits.