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Sunni Vs. Shi'a

Sunni Vs. Shi'a. By: Jliana Khan. Definitions. Religion: < Latin religio ("fidelity"); religare ("to bind fast, adhere to"); thus, "faithfulness and adherence to someone (a god) or something (a belief)"

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Sunni Vs. Shi'a

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  1. Sunni Vs. Shi'a By: Jliana Khan

  2. Definitions • Religion: < Latin religio ("fidelity"); religare("to bind fast, adhere to"); thus, "faithfulness and adherence to someone (a god) or something (a belief)" • Islam: “submission, self-surrender”; monotheistic world religion closely related to Judaism and Christianity; adherents of Islam, called Muslims, comprise about 20-25% of the world (1.2–1.5 billion in 2000 CE). • Sunni or Sunnite: Majority branch of Islam (ca. 85% of all Muslims worldwide). The branch that accepts the first four caliphs as rightful successors of Muhammad. • Shi'aor Shi'i or Shi'ite: Minority branch of Islam (ca. 15% worldwide, with several sub-groups); lit. the “faction or sect of Ali”. Definitions from http://catholic-resources.org/Courses/SCTR19-Spring2007.htm

  3. Sunni • Movement can be identified in differences with the Shi'a • Dominating continuously since 661CE • Sunni Islam claims to be continuation of revelations passed to Muhammad • Believe Caliphs did not have to be from the Prophet’s family • Believe Prophet did not designate a successor and his sunna were based on mandated elections, which they wanted to abide to • Believe that any good Muslim can be a leader • Leaders come from agreements of consensus and do not recognize special sacred wisdom in their leaders • Believe that ‘Ali is not a “divine light” from the Prophet • Importance of Sunna (meaning “customs” included in Hadiths) • Shari’a: Islamic law was established

  4. Sunni

  5. Shi'a • Believe in Muhammad’s teachings and religious guidance of his family, which is referred to Ahl al-Bayt • Bloodline continues through daughter, Fatima, and Son-in-law/cousin, ‘Ali • Believe descendants are Imams fathered by ‘Ali • First three rulings of Sunni Caliphs is seen as an occurrence in history and not something that is connected to faith • Muhammad directed ‘Ali as successor on many occasions; he is the rightful leader of Muslim faith • ‘Ali is seen as a divinely appointed imam • ‘Ali has power to add to Hadith and continue newly found beliefs of Islam • Shi'a believe in holy books after the Quran, including the Mushaf Fatima (Book of Fatima), Al-Jamia, and Al-Jafr (The Parchment) • Branches in Shi'a: Twelvers: Twelve rightful Imams and Alawites: believe ‘Ali is the incarnation of God

  6. Discussion/Questions • What kind of actions could the differences between the Sunnis and Shi'as lead to? • Do you think there can be a compromise between the two branches in the future, or is it too late? • What steps should be taken in order to ensure peace?

  7. Shi'a

  8. Sunni Vs. Shi'a

  9. Sunni Vs. Shi'a Chart from: http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islamic_sects.htm

  10. Comparison: Judaism • 1 Kings 12:1-33 • Division of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms in 930 B.C. • The Lord is angry with King Solomon because he has disobeyed him by following strange Gods (11:9-10) • Political Dispute • Ten tribes were given to Jeroboam to become king of Israel. • Solomon attempted to kill Jeroboam but he fled to Egypt until Solomon died. • After Solomon died his son Rehoboam succeeded him as a king • Who is the rightful leader, Jeroboam or Rehoboam? • Religious Divisions • Rehoboam gave harsh words towards the Israelites; he reigned over Israelites in the cities of Judah. • When Jeroboam had returned, he was made king over Israel (12:20) • None remained loyal to David’s house except tribe of Judah (12:20)

  11. Comparison: Christianity • Political Dispute • Martin Luther publish his 95 Theses, which placed pressure on reformers to study the Bible • This study had convinced him that the Church had lost views of central truth, thought of Church as being corrupt • Religious Divisions • Protestants: founded 16th century • Protestants and Catholics split

  12. Discussion/Questions? • How do the different branches in both Christianity and Judaism parallel (similar) to those found in Islam?   • In what ways are they different? • All three religions that we have studied are divided into different branches that continue to splinter off into even smaller groups.  Why do you think that this is?  Are divisions inevitable (normal) for any religion?

  13. Reflecting from Hebrew Bible: Sunnis vs. Shi'as • Deuteronomy 13:1-19 • Neither add nor subtract from commands (13:1) • Pay no attention to false prophets, God is testing to learn your love for him • Even if a family member tempts you to fall astray, “do not yield . . . nor look with pity upon him” (13:9) • Sunnis feel that Shi'as have attempted to add to the beliefs that were sent by God by worships tombs of Hussein and ‘Ali, which is seen as worshiping idols • Shi'as feel that Muhammad’s words were that the Muslims should follow his rightful successor, ‘Ali, and therefore feel that their actions are correct

  14. Discussion/Questions? • Why do you think differences lead to violence?

  15. Current Events • April 25, 2007 • Shi'as killed in Pakistan • Sunnis responsible for attack • Resulted three men to die • October 27, 2005 • Sunnis claim Shi'as are openly presenting war • Tensions between community leads to 20 deaths • May 31, 2007 • BAGHDAD - U.S. troops battled al-Qaida in west Baghdad on Thursday after Sunni Arab residents challenged the militants and called for American help to end furious gunfire that kept students from final exams and forced people in the neighborhood to huddle indoors. • http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070601/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

  16. Current Events • May 31, 2007 • As of Thursday, May 31, 2007, at least 3,473 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes seven military civilians. At least 2,836 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military.

  17. Summary • Differences came about immediately after Muhammad’s death • Differences in Shi'a and Sunni beliefs have led to separation and difference in praying • Differences have led to violence today, which have led many to die especially in the Middle East • Division is not unique to Islam but has also been a reality in both the Jewish and Christian faiths

  18. Questions?

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