NON-SECTARIAN
A surprisingly large amount of
Muslims consider themselves to be
“non-sectarian” or “just
SECTS OF ISLAM
After the death of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuH) in 632 CE, there was much
discourse as to who should lead the Muslims (and non-Muslims) in the area.
Muslims,” and not just
This led to the creation of the three main branches of Islam: Sunni, Shia, and Sufi
descendants and converts.
In fact, according to a 2012 SUNNISM
Sunni Islam maintains that Muhammad left no successor, and appointed
study, they make up the
majority in as many as eight Abu Bakr as caliph. Today, markers of Sunni Islam include an adherence
countries, mostly in Central to the text of the Qur’an, the belief in angels, the belief in the “oneness”
Asia. of Allah, and a dislike of icon worship.
SHI’ISM
Shi’ites (the followers of Shia Islam) believe that Ali, Muhammad’s
SUFISM cousin and son-in-law was named successor by the Prophet himself.
Some historians believe that the Shi’ites today believe strongly in the authority and knowledge of
existence of Sufi Muslims dates
their imams and, consequently, their interpretations of the Qur’an.
back to even pre-divide. Sufism
The sect also values performing sacrificial and idol worship.
includes some aspects of
Hinduism and Buddhism, such as SUFISM
Sufi Muslims largely adhere, in reference to descendants, to the
cultivating a loving relationship
with God and belief in belief of Sunni Islam. However, in practice, Sufism is a more
transcendance. The mystical, ascetic sect connected to nature and love. Sufi orders,
interpretation of islâm as their hierarchies, and their rituals, vary from region to region
“submission” is crucial, since
many actively try to transcend
the world and reach God, in
submitting to the Self. Sufis
TWELVER SHIA
Twelver Shi’ites believe that the last
SHI’ISM
Followers of Shi’a Islam (Shi’ites)
often follow the teachings of true leader and defendant of the
Prophet was Muhammad, son of maintain that the blood lineage of
their mushids (spiritual
‘Askari, the twelfth imam. the Prophet was to be
leader/guide) for examples in
maintained, and chose ‘Ali as
meditation, ceremony, and
asceticism in general.
SHI’A SECTS
The divisions of Shi’a Islam derive
their leader. As a result, any
leader is highly scrutinized in
largely from the perceived validity of a
given imam in the line of succession.
regards to whether they are of
Other sects include the Isma’ilis and the Prophet’s clan, and in turn
Zaydis. given much authority.
ZAYDI
SUNNISM
0.5%
ISMAI’LI SHAFI
2%
29%
TWELVER
12%
Sunni Muslims hold the city of Medina in high regard, as it was the
HANAFI
city where Muhammad travelled with the ummah and established his 20%
first substantial group of followers. As stated above, one group
wanted to choose who would represent them after the death of the HANBALI MALIKI
Prophet, rather than let the decision be left to the uncertainty of 15%
15%
succession. As a result, a big foundation of Sunnism is accepting a
leader so long as they provide a just interpretation and execution of
the Qur’an.
scholars and
students
discussions and debates
Sufi muslims
about Sunni vs. Shia Islam
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Lectures 10/31 and 11/02
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Shii/The-growth-of-Imami-Shiism
- https://www.dw.com/en/sufi-islam-what-you-need-to-know/a-41532401
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sunni
- https://sufism.org/sufism
- https://images.app.goo.gl/oLHj7NQWTwAKv6bCA
