Download Muslim Sects

Muslim Sects
Sunni


84%–90% of all Muslims.
Sunni means
“tradition,” and Sunnis
regard themselves as
those who emphasize
following the traditions
of Muhammad and of
the first two
generations of the
community of Muslims
that followed
Muhammad.
Origins
 Sunnis
believe Abu
Bakr, the father of
Muhammad's wife
Aisha, was
Muhammad's rightful
successor
 Believe the method
of choosing or
electing leaders
(Shura) is the
consensus of the
Ummah (the Muslim
community).
Sunni Imams
 Sunni
imams lead
the faithful in
prayer
 The person who is
chosen is a man
who has the most
knowledge of the
Qu’ran, and is a
good person.
Shi’ite
 10%–16%
of all Muslims.
 Shi`ites are the “party of
`Ali,” who believe that
Muhammad’s son-inlaw `Ali was his
designated successor
(imam) and that the
Muslim community
should be headed by a
designated descendent
of Muhammad.
Origins



Shias believe that
Muhammad divinely
ordained his cousin
and son-in-law Ali (in
accordance with the
command of God to
be the next caliph.
This made Ali and his
direct descendants
Muhammad's
successors.
Ali was married to
Fatimah,
Muhammad's
daughter from his
wife Khadijah bint
Khuwaylid.
Shi’ite Imams




Central to the
community
Believe that these
imams are chosen by
God to be perfect
examples for the faithful
and to lead all humanity
in all aspects of life.
They also believe that all
the imams chosen are
infallible.
Must be followed since
they are appointed by
God
Sufis



Emphasis on meditation
and spiritual growth.
A number of Sufi orders,
comparable to Christian
monks, exist.
Most Sufis are also Sunni
Muslims, although some
are Shi`ite Muslims. Many
conservative Sunni
Muslims regard Sufism as
a corruption of Islam,
although most still regard
Sufis as Muslims.