Download The Division of Islam Muslims…

The Division of Islam
Muslims…
• There are more than a billion people
who are Muslims
• Islam is the majority religion in more
than 50 countries
• Islam is the youngest of the 3 great
monotheistic religions.
Is Islam a violent religion?
• Many Muslims oppose the Taliban and
terrorist attacks
• Many Muslims do not believe these
acts are representative of true
Islam. (This would be like saying all
Christians bomb abortion clinics).
Muhammad
• Muhammad was the founder of the
Islam religion.
• He was born a merchant’s son in Saudi
Arabia about 570.
• When he was about 40, he said he was
visited by the angel Gabriel and two
years later he claimed to receive
messages from God, which continued
through his life.
• Many of the messages were closely
related to the teachings of both
Judaism and Christianity.
Muhammad
• When Muhammad died, he did
not appoint a successor, or
replacement to lead the Muslim
community.
• This led to a period of confusion
over who would be the leader
• Islam followers could not agree
on a leader, and Islam became
divided into two major sects,
Sunni & Shia
Sunni & Shia
• 85% of the world’s Muslims are Sunni
• 15% are Shia
• The two sects share the same basic beliefs
– they both accept the Koran and adhere to
the 5 pillars.
• Some differences, however, are quite
significant.
• Shia have political control in ONE country:
Iran but they are the majority in several
other Gulf Region countries.
Who would lead Islam?
• A minority of Muslims supported the claim
of Muhammad’s cousin & son in law Ali to be
the right leader.
• They became known as “the partisans of
Ali” also called “Shi’at Ali” or “Shia”
• They felt the succession of leaders known
as imans, would be considered more
legitimate because of their connection to
the prophet Muhammad.
Shia
• The Shia believed that the
new caliph must be chosen
by Allah.
• They believe that Ali was
the true successor.
• He was the husband of
Muhammad’s daughter,
Fatimah.
Sunni
• The Sunni felt the new leader
should be elected from among
those capable of the job
• Muhammad’s close friends
elected Abu Bakr to be the
new Caliph.
• He was the Father of
Muhammad’s wife.
• A Caliph is a spiritual leader
of Islam.
Divisions of Islam
Islam
Sunni Shia
The Sunnis are so
named
because they
believe
themselves to
follow
the "custom" of
the prophet.
The Shia are so
named because
they are the
Muslims who
followed Ali, the
closest relative
of Muhammad.
Percentage of Total Muslims
• The total number of
Sunni Muslims is
85%.
• The total number of
Shia Muslims is 15%.
• Sunni Islam is the
largest sect of the
religion.
Shi'a
15%
Sunni
85%
Sunni is Green, Shia is Blue
Sunnis live in most Muslim countries, but Shiites live
primarily in Iran, Iraq, and Yemen.