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Basic facts about
Sunni Muslims
Basic facts about
Shia Muslims
VS
"Shia" means
"well-trodden path" or "tradition"
Also known as
Sunni, Ehl-e-Sunnah
Population worldwide
1.7 billion (2024)
Percentage of Muslims
87-90%
Primary locations
Majority in large Islamic countries, Indonesia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
Minority spread across the world
"Sunni" means
"party, follower" or "partisans" of Ali
Also known as
Shiites, Shia, Shii, Ehl-e-Tash'e
Population worldwide
350 million (2024)
Percentage of Muslims
10-13%
Primary locations
Majority in Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and Dearborn, MI.
Minority spread across the world.
Where did the division between Sunni and Shia Muslims begin?
After Muhammad died in 632 AD, Muslims disagreed on who should be his successor in leading Islam, because he had no son to follow in his footsteps. Muhammad had told his followers before his death that he wanted Ali ibn Abi Talib, his son-in-law, to take his place.
However, some people in Medina voted for Abu Bakr, the father of Muhammad's favored wife Aishia, to take Ali's place instead. This is where the conflict between Shia and Sunii Muslims began.
Sunni followed
Shiites followed
'Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of the Prophet's daughter Fatimah
Abu Bakr, father of the Prophet's favored wife, 'A'ishah (elected by people of Medina)
After this division, Sunni and Shia Muslims disagreed about who the legitimate successors were...
Sunnis followed
The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs:
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Abu Bakr
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Umar bin Al Khattab
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Uthman bin Afan
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Ali bin Abi Talib
Muhammad AlMahdi
Both Shia and Sunni Muslims believe the final ruler of Islam before Judgment Day is Muhammad AlMahdi.​​
Shia Muslims believe he is currently in hiding on earth, leading their people through imams. Sunnis believe AlMahdi is yet to be born.
Shiites followed
The 12 Infallible Imams:
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Ali bin Abi Talib
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Hassan
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Hussain
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Ali ZainulAbideen
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Muhammad AlBaqir
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Jaafar AlSaadiq
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Musa AlKaazim
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Ali AlRaza
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Muhammad AlTaqi
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Ali AlNaqi
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Hasan AlAskari
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Muhammad AlMahdi (whom they believe is hidden today)​​
Modern Day Leaders: How do Muslims choose their current leader?
For Sunni Muslims, their current leader must be a practicing Muslim chosen by agreement of the authorities of the Muslim populace (ummah).
For Shia Muslims, the current leader must be a male from the lineage of Ali from Fatimah.
Sects
Are there smaller sects within Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Within Sunnism, there are smaller schools of law and creed that disagree on smaller topics, but all count each other as Muslims.
Four contributing schools of Law:
Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, Hanbali
​
Two Schools of Creed:
Ashari, Maturidi​
​There are three different sects within Shia Muslims, who disagree on the infallibility of the imams.
​
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Ithna Ashariyya ('Twelvers')
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Ismailis ('Seveners')
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Zaidis ('Fivers')
The latter do not agree to the infallibility of Imams or the occultation of the 12th Imaam Mahdi.
Pillars of Faith
What beliefs are different between Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Sunni Pillars of Faith
1. Creed of Faith
2. Prayer
3. Mandatory alms, 2.5% for the mosque
4. Fasting
5. Pilgrimage
6. Jihad and strife in the way of Allah to promote good and stop bad.
Shia Pillars of Faith
1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Pilgrimage
4. Zakat
5. Jihad
6. Promotion of good
7. Dissuasion from bad
8. Re-affirmation
9. Disassociation from the enemies of Islam starting from first Caliph.
Spiritual Topics
Do they believe Allah continues to reveal himself?
Sunnis believe authoritative revelation ended with Prophet Muhammad.
Shiites believe Allah continues to partially reveal himself. Imams are considered divinely guided. The purpose of revelation is to explain and safeguard the current faith and its esoteric meaning.
Do they believe in intercessory prayer?
Major groups of Sunnis do not accept intercession. However, the method of prayer at dargahs or ziyarat-gahs (tombs of saints) may be considered close to intercession.
Shia Muslims believe intercessory prayers can be made to the 14 Infallibles only. The Fourteen Infallibles are Muhammad, his daughter Fatima, and the Twelve Imams.
Angels: What do Sunni and Shia Muslims believe about angels?
Sunni Muslims believe Allah created angels from light. They do not have their own free will and always obey the commandments of Allah.
Shia Muslims believe angels obey Allah's commandments. They have limited free will and have no drive to sin.
Marriage
What do Sunni and Shia Muslims believe about marriage?
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims believe a man may marry up to 4 women.
What do Sunni and Shia Muslims believe about Temporary Unannounced Marriage?
Sunni Muslims acknowledge Temporary Unannounced Marriage was practiced in Muhammad’s time, but now reject it.
Shia Muslims still allow Temporary Unannounced Marriages.
Religious Places
What are the holy cities for Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Sunni Holy Cities
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Mecca
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Medina
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Jerusalem
Shia Holy Cities
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Mecca
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Medina
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Jerusalem
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Najaf
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Karbala
Do Sunni and Shia Muslims have different kinds of places of worship?
Sunni
-
Mosque
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Eidgah: an open-air mosque usually outside the city (or at the outskirts) to perform the Salat al Eid (Eid prayers) for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is usually a public place.
Shia
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Mosque
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Imambarah: A building in which the festival of the Muharram is celebrated, and service held in commemoration of the deaths of ‘Ali and his sons, al-Hasan and al-Husain.
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Ashurkhana: a congregation hall for commemoration ceremonies, especially those associated with the Remembrance of Muharram.
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Eidgah: an open-air mosque usually outside the city (or at the outskirts) to perform the Salat al Eid (Eid prayers) for Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is usually a public place.
Additional Differences
What do Sunni and Shia Muslims believe about concealing faith for self-protection (taqiya)?
Sunnis affirm taqiya under certain circumstances.
Shia Muslims emphasize their right to use taqiya.
What do Sunni and Shia Muslims believe about Self Flagellation (Lattum)?
Sunnies believe self flagellation (lattum) is a major sin.
For Shia Muslims, self flagellation is permitted by some scholars. To commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein, Shiite groups march in massive parades on the 10th day of the Muharram month. There is self-flagellation i.e. flogging own back, chest with hands, knives, blades or chains.
Do Sunni and Shia Muslims follow the same Hadith translations and religious narrations from Imams?
Sunni Muslims prefer and memorize these Hadith or Collection of religious narrations from Imaams and Mujtahids:
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Muatta Maalik
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Musnad Ahmad
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Sahih Bukhari
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Sahih Muslim
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Sunan Abu Dawood
Shia Muslims prefer and memorize these Hadith or Collection of religious narrations from Imaams and Mujtahids:
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Nahajul Balagha
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Kitab al-Kafi
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Man la yahduruhu al-Faqih
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Tahdhib al-Ahkam
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Al-Istibsaar
Do Sunni and Shia Muslims have different holidays?
​Sunnis celebrate three main holidays:
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Eid al-Adha: Festival of sacrifice at the end of the Hajj, commemorating Abraham’s faith
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Eid al-Fitr: Festival of breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan
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Eid-el-Milaad-un-Nabi: the observance of the birthday of Muhammad
​Shia Muslims celebrate four main holidays:
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Eid al-Adha: Festival of sacrifice at the end of the Hajj, commemorating Abraham’s faith
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Eid al-Fitr: Festival of breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan
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Ashura: Commemorates the death of Husain [also spelled Hussayn], son of Imam 'Ali and grandson of Muhammad, on the 10th of Muharram, AH 61 [October 10, 680], in Karbala, Iraq. The event led to the split between the Sunni and Shia sects of Islam
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Eid al ghadeer: Celebration of the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib by the Islamic prophet Muhammad as his successor.
What different militant groups represent Sunni versus Shia Muslims?
Sunni Groups
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Muslim Brotherhood
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The Salafis
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Al-Shabab in Somalia
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Al-Qaeda
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Hamas
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Fatah groups of Palestine
Shia Groups
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Hezbollah
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Alkoumainy regime of Iran
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Houthis of Yemen
Are there different types of clergy for Sunni and Shia Muslims?
Sunni
Shia
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Caliph: Successor to Muhammad
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Imaam: The one who leads Islamic formal (Fard) prayers, even in locations besides the mosque, whenever prayers are done in a group of two or more with one person leading (imam) and the others following by copying his ritual actions of worship.
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Mujtahid: the theologian and legal expert who possesses the ijtihad (the right of independent interpretation of religious and legal matters). In Sunnism, the mujtahid is the founder and head of the madhabs (schools of Muslim jurisprudence)
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Allamah is an honorary title carried by only the very highest scholars of Islamic thought, jurisprudence, and philosophy
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Maulana is a Muslim man respected for his religious knowledge or scholarship.
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Imam: Chosen by Allah to be the perfect example for the faithful and to lead all humanity in all aspects of life.
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Ayatollah: A title in the religious hierarchy achieved by scholars who have demonstrated highly advanced knowledge of Islamic law and religion.
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Mujtahid: The theologian and legal expert who possesses the ijtihad (the right of independent interpretation of religious and legal matters). In Shiism, the mujtahid is a representative of the most influential circles of the upper Shiite clergy (called mojtahed in Persian)
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Allamah is an honorary title carried by only the very highest scholars of Islamic thought, jurisprudence, and philosophy.
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Maulana is a Muslim man respected for his religious knowledge or scholarship.
Now you know the difference between
Sunni and Shia Muslims
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