Download File

SS7G8d
Shia – Sunni Divide in Islam
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• After Muhammad died there was a disagreement
about who should lead the Muslim community.
• At first it was decided to place power in the hands of
men who had been friends of Muhammad’s.
• They ruled one after the other and were known as
the “Four Rightly Guided Caliphs”.
• When the last one died, the argument started again.
• Two separate ideas were brought forward.
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• One group (Sunni) thought leadership should go to
whoever was most able to keep the community
together.
• The other group (Shia) thought leadership should
go to a direct descendant of Muhammad.
• They wanted to choose one of Muhammad’s
grandsons, the children of his son-in-law, Ali.
• They became known as the Shia-Ali (supporters
of Ali) shortened to Shia.
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• A battle for control soon followed resulting in the
death of one of Muhammad’s grandsons.
• Power transferred to the Sunni supporters.
• Division remains today, but little difference in the
basic religious beliefs.
• Sunnis are the majority (about 85% of all Muslims)
• Shia are an overall minority but make up a large
portion of the populations of countries such as Iran
(over 90%), Iraq, and Lebanon.
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• What issue led to the split between the Sunni and
Shia in Islam?
a. The Shia believed only Arabs could be Muslims.
b. Arguments began over what should be included in
the Five Pillars.
c. The Shia wanted to change the direction of prayer
to Jerusalem rather than Mecca.
d. They disagreed over who should lead the Muslim
community after Muhammad’s death.
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• Why were the first four leaders of the Muslims after
Muhammad’s death called the “Four Rightly Guided
Caliphs”?
a. They had been friends of Muhammad.
b. They had studied leadership for many years and were
well prepared to rule.
c. They had arranged for a split in the community between
Sunni and Shia Muslims.
d. These men all ruled together so there could be no
questions about their decisions.
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• Approximately what percentage of the population of
Iran is Sunni Muslim?
a. 9%
b. 33%
c. 64%
d. 90%
d. Explain the origin of the division between Sunni
and Shia Muslims
ISLAM
• Which question could be
answered by using the
information from the graph?
a. Which country has the most Shia Muslims?
b. What part of the population of Iran is Hindu?
c. What part of the population of Iraq is Christian?
d. Which country has the highest proportion of its
population as Shia Muslim?