Shia's / Sunni's

[BigDogsWang]

Islamic Religion is without doubt a complicated affair, and though I have tried a number of times to get my head around the difference between Shia's and Sunni's, the further you look into their different interpretations of the Koran, the more complex and mind boggling it becomes. From what I can gather the two are basically the same, with the exception that they both have a separate belief with regards to who are the true Prophets or Imams.

Can anyone enlighten me without confusing me?

When you look at the situation in Iraq, it seems the Sunni fundamentalists have turned there attention to terrorist atrocities against the Shia's as they are not happy with a Shia Government. Will there in that case ever be peace in the Islamic states if the two have such differences of opinion?

[Octavius]

Here is a link which might help:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunni_shia/

[jno]

I think it's a bit like Northern Ireland: though there are religious differences, the actual basis for conflict is now tribal rather than doctrinal. One tribe is in power, the other wants to be. They're not actually killing each other over who a caliph should have been 1400 years ago.

So the question is really the same as in other states with rebel groups or even regions, eg Sri Lanka - who will win? - and it's impossible to say whether compromises will be found that will satisfy everyone and bring peace. Sometimes, though, people just get fed up with fighting - didn't something of the sort happen in Angola?

[Quizmonster]

Obviously, only a brief outline can be provided here, but the schism between Sunni and Shia Muslims really began on the death of the Prophet Mohammed, the founder of Islam. 

The name �Sunni' is based on the word that means �lawful' or �orthodox' in Arabic.  In addition, the Sunna - or Hadith - is the name given to the sayings and customs of Mohammed, which are given almost the same reverence by Sunnis as the Koran itself.  �Shia' means �sect' or �party' and the full name is �Shiat Ali' or �Ali's sect'.

The Shias understood that Mohammed himself had declared Ali, his son-in-law, to be his successor...the Caliph...and that the leader would be drawn from his direct family descendants. However, the Sunnis argued that his successor should be appointed by election. Accordingly, three other leaders were chosen though Ali and the Shias rejected these as usurpers. 

In 680 AD, near Karbala in what is now Iraq, Hussein - Ali's son and the Prophet's grandson - was killed leading a revolt against Yazid, the then Caliph.  As a result, Ali's claim to be the true Caliph had a martyr in his son.  Shias now believed him to be the equivalent of what Christians would call a saint...ie one who could assist the faithful into heaven.

Ever since, each sect has believed the other to be false claimants of the true �inheritance' of Islam.  In Iraq today, two out of three Muslims are Shias, although worldwide nearly 90 percent of Muslims are Sunnis. This religious feud has been going on for about three times  longer than the one between Catholic and Protestant in the Christian world!

[Don Quixote]

Didn't Sunni & Shia have a hit with I Got You, Babe in the 1960s?

[Dom Tuk]

Don Quixote that did make me chuckle...no laugh out loud.

Quiz Monster...where have you been....as usual a good answer...well done with the elections!!

[BigDogsWang]

"They say Allah won�t pay the rent"

[Quizmonster]

I didn't actually vote, DT! I'm still around and thank you for your kind comment.