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The Sunnis
By: Amy Moore
Brianna Goddard
Kelsey Cobb
Michael Bruce
The History of Islam
Islam came about around 622 A.D.
It started in Mecca (Makkah), a city in Saudi Arabia.
Islam is made up of between 1 billion and 1.8 billion
Muslims
– This makes it the second largest religion in the world, after
Christianity.
They do not consider Muhammad the founder of a new
religion, but they think of him as the restorer of the
original monotheistic faith of Abraham, Moses, Jesus,
and other prophets.
The Muslims believe that God revealed the Quran to
Muhammad through the angel Gabriel.
They also regard the Quran and the Sunnah (words and
deeds of Muhammad) as the fundamental sources of
Islam.
Muhammad, Leader of Islam
He was considered the God’s final prophet of
Islam.
People believed that Muhammad was sent to
correct the alterations that followers of previous
religions had introduced into God’s original
teachings.
Muhammad’s mission included all humanity.
– It was not limited to a specific region, group, or
community.
– His life served as a model and example for all men and
women.
Muhammad’s sayings and acts are presented in the Hadith.
About the Sunnis
Sunni is the largest denomination of Islam.
– They make up more than 80% of the Muslims in the
world.
In all matters of religion, conduct, and law,
Muslims recognize two primary sources.
– One is the Quran
The sacred book of Islam
– The other is the Sunna of Muhammad
These teachings are written down in a book called the Hadith
– The Sunni’s name comes from their claim that they
follow the Sunna of Muhammad.
The Sunnis follow these two sources carefully.
– They are sometimes called the Orthodox Muslims.
Muhammad Divides Islam
into the Sunnis and the Shiites
Muhammad died in 632 A.D.
He named no one as his successor.
People argued over who should become the next Caliph.
– A Caliph is the successor of Muhammad.
The Sunnis thought they should pick someone who was
capable of the job.
– The Sunnis united behind Abu-Bakr.
He was Muhammad’s close friend and advisor.
The Shiites rejected him.
The Shiites thought that the leadership should have
stayed within the Prophet’s family.
– The Shiites argued that Muhammad had designated his son-inlaw, Ali, as the leader.
About Abu-Bakr
Abu-Bakr ruled as Caliph in Medina for two years.
– Medina is a city in western Saudi Arabia located north of Mecca.
He took political charge of the Muslim Community and
led prayers in the Prophets Place.
– He refused to assume Muhammad’s role as interpreter of the
Islamic doctrine, he left that up to the collective judgment of the
Prophet’s Companions.
There were many revolts against the authority of the
Islamic state.
– Some tribes even put forth their own prophets.
– Within a year, Abu-Bakr put down these revolts.
IN 634 A.D. Abu-Bakr died.
– He named Umar as the new Caliph
Differences Between
The Sunnis and the Shiites
The Sunnis differ from the Shiites by their basic belief about
God, prophecy, revelation, and the Last Judgement.
Throughout history there has always been violence and
hostility between the two groups.
– This hostility has led to persecution and repression of one another.
The leader of the religious community divides them the
most.
– They don’t agree on who should be Muhammad’s successor.
They differ in their call to prayer.
The Shiites worship three times a day and the Sunnis
worship five times.
The Sunni Religious Beliefs
The Sunnis believe in one god.
– The Arabic term for god is Allah.
– They believe that Muhammad is Allah’s messenger.
They pray five times a day.
The strictly adhere to the 5 Pillars.
– Practicing these five things is essential to Sunni
Islam.
The Five Pillars of Islam is the term used to
describe the five duties every Muslim has.
The 5 Pillars
The Five Pillars are
– Shahadah- the profession of faith
It is a declaration before a Muslim audience that there is no
God but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
– Salat- ritual prayer
They pray to ask for help, to praise Allah, and to get guidance.
– Zakat- alms giving
This is giving money to the needy or to charity.
– Sivam- fasting during Ramadan
The reason for this fasting is described in the Quran as
needing to learn self restraint.
– Hajj- pilgrimage to Mecca (Mekkah)
They should travel to this Holy city at least once in their life.
Map of the Sunnis