Your Guide To What is Shia and Sunni Muslims

Islam, one of the world’s largest and most diverse religions, is composed of two major sects: Sunni and Shia. Both share fundamental beliefs, such as the oneness of God (Allah) and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, but there are notable differences in their interpretation of Islamic history, leadership, and religious practices. In this blog, we will explore the core differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims and examine the origins of this division within Islam.

What is Shia and Sunni Islam?

To understand the distinction between Shia and Sunni Muslims, it is important to first clarify what each term means.
Sunni Islam is the largest sect in Islam, comprising approximately 85-90% of the global Muslim population. The term "Sunni" comes from the Arabic word "Ahl al-Sunnah," meaning "people of the tradition." Sunnis adhere to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, believing in the practices and customs (the Sunnah) that were established during the Prophet’s life.
Shia Islam, on the other hand, is the second-largest sect, making up about 10-15% of Muslims worldwide. The name "Shia" is derived from the Arabic term "Shi’at Ali," meaning "the party of Ali." Shia Muslims believe that leadership of the Muslim community should have stayed within the Prophet Muhammad’s family, particularly with his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. This belief in Ali’s rightful leadership marks the fundamental difference between Shia and Sunni Islam.

The Origin of the Sunni-Shia Split

The primary division between Sunni and Shia Islam goes back to the question of leadership after the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The Prophet did not explicitly name a successor, which led to a dispute among his followers.
Sunni Muslims believe that the leader (Caliph) should be chosen by consensus from the community. After Muhammad’s death, they supported Abu Bakr, a close companion of the Prophet, as the first caliph. Sunnis emphasize the importance of the community’s role in electing a leader, which led to the development of a more hierarchical but flexible approach to leadership.
Shia Muslims, on the other hand, believe that leadership should have passed directly to Ali, the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law. They argue that Ali was divinely chosen by God to lead the Muslim community, and thus his descendants, known as the "Imams," are seen as the rightful successors to the Prophet. For Shia Muslims, the concept of divine appointment and the Imamate is central to their beliefs.
This disagreement over who should lead the Muslim community after Muhammad’s death led to the Sunni-Shia split, a division that has persisted for centuries.

What is Differences Between Sunni and Shia Muslims

While both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the core tenets of Islam, including belief in one God, the Quran as the final revelation, and the importance of following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, their differences can be seen in several key areas.

Leadership and Authority : The most significant difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims is their view on leadership. As mentioned, Sunnis believe that the leader of the Muslim community (the caliph) should be chosen by the community, based on consensus or election. In contrast, Shia Muslims believe that leadership should remain within the Prophet’s family, specifically through Ali and his descendants.
Shia Muslims regard their leaders, called Imams, as divinely guided and infallible, with a special spiritual authority. Sunnis, however, do not view their leaders as having this divinely ordained status. Instead, Sunni leaders, or scholars (ulama), are respected for their knowledge but are not considered infallible.
Religious Practices and Rituals : There are also some differences in religious practices between Sunni and Shia Muslims, though both sects observe the Five Pillars of Islam.
- Prayer (Salah): One of the key differences is in the way prayers are performed. Sunni Muslims typically pray five times a day, but Shia Muslims often combine two of these prayers, offering three prayer sessions instead of five. Additionally, Shia Muslims often place their forehead on a small clay tablet (known as a turbah) while prostrating, while Sunnis typically pray without this.
- Ashura: Both Sunni and Shia Muslims recognize the day of Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussain. However, it holds a much deeper significance for Shia Muslims. For them, Ashura is a day of mourning and remembrance for the sacrifice of Imam Hussain, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Sunni Muslims also acknowledge Ashura but do not place the same emphasis on it.
- Religious Leadership: In Shia Islam, the role of the clergy, especially the Ayatollahs (senior religious scholars), is more centralized. The Shia clerical system has a hierarchical structure, with high-ranking clerics providing guidance and issuing religious rulings. Sunni Islam tends to have a more decentralized system of religious leadership, where individual scholars interpret Islamic law and teachings.
Theological Differences : In addition to differences in leadership, there are theological distinctions between Sunni and Shia beliefs:
- Imamate vs. Caliphate: As mentioned earlier, Shia Muslims believe in the concept of the Imamate, wherein the Imam is divinely appointed, infallible, and the rightful leader of the Muslim community. Sunnis, however, believe in the Caliphate, where the caliph is elected by the community and is not considered divinely appointed or infallible.
- Mahdi: Both Sunni and Shia Muslims believe in the coming of the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will return to restore justice. However, Shia Muslims believe that the Mahdi is already in hiding and will reappear as the twelfth Imam (the Hidden Imam). Sunnis do not have the same belief in the hidden Mahdi and view him as a future figure who will emerge to lead the Muslim community.

Despite the differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, it is important to remember that both groups share the foundational beliefs of Islam, including the belief in one God (Allah), the prophethood of Muhammad, and the guidance of the Quran. The division between Sunni and Shia Muslims is more a result of historical and political disagreements rather than fundamental theological disputes.
Understanding the distinctions between these two branches of Islam can help foster greater respect and appreciation for the diversity within the Muslim world. While their practices and beliefs may differ in certain ways, both Sunni and Shia Muslims are united in their devotion to Islam and their shared history.