Question

1. Discuss the Sunni/Shiite split in Islam. What caused it? Do you believe it to be a political or religious divide or a combination of both? Why do you feel this way? What were the ramifications of this split for the Islamic community as a whole?

Answer 1

Islam's Shiite is in minority. Sunnis are in majority. They are mainly found in Middle East countries. Initially they were not apart. They got spit soon after the death of Mohammad Prophet. It happened nearly 1400 years ago. These splits were on the basis of politics of early caliphs.

Shi'a belief was to consider the Ali as first Caliph. Three caliphs preceded him named as Abu Bakr, Umar and Usman. They all three were considered as legitimate usurpers. Shia Islam is based on Quran. They follow the messages of Mohammad when he got arrested in Hadith.

Shia believed that the leadership should stay in the family of Mohammad prophet. Sunnies believed that the leadership should go to a person who is able and have an ability to lead the community. Mainly these political view caused the fundamental division which caused the Shia-Sunni split.

Sunnis prevailed and they chose a successor to be the first caliph. Ali was chosen as fourth Caliph. Two of the earlier Caliphs were murdered. Ali was also killed in a fighting in town of Kufa which is present in present day Iraq.

Ali's son Hussain led the Shiite. Hussain was murdered and his head was carried in tribute to Sunni's Caliph. His body was left on the battlefield of Karbala and later it was buried there. Shiite call their leaders as Imam. Significance of Imam also separates two branches of Islam.

Sunnis consider this consideration of Imam as a sin because they argue that Shiite provide importance to a human as equal to god. This a sin according to him. I think that the split is both political and religious as well.