Islam is the second-largest religion in the world, with over two billion followers across many countries and cultures. The belief among every Muslim is that there is One God, Allah, and that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) is the final Messenger of God. This being said, Islam has two main branches that are split into Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims.
Whilst both groups follow the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), there are a number of religious differences that stem from history and what happened after the passing of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him).
Understanding what is the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims can help us identify the diversity that exists within the Muslim community and also recognise the many beliefs that they have in common.
“Indeed, this religion of yours is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.”
[Quran 21:92]
The Origin of the Sunni and Shia Split
The difference between a Sunni and Shia Muslim arose after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) in 632 CE. The main issue came from who should lead the Muslim community after the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him).
The sect of the Sunni faith believed that the leader, known as the Caliph, should be from among the Prophet’s companions. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was selected as the first Caliph due to being one of the Prophet’s closest companions.
Followers of the Shia faith believed that leadership should remain within the family of the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him). Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, and so they believed that he was the rightful successor.
Differences in leadership are what caused distinct traditions and interpretations, creating the Sunni and Shia branches in Islam.
Sunni Muslim Beliefs
Around 85–90% of Muslims around the world follow the Sunni belief. The word Sunni derives from the word "Ahl al-Sunnah", which means the people who follow the ways of the Prophet.
Muslim Sunni beliefs focus on the importance of the Quran, authentic Hadith, and examples of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him). Sunni Muslims follow the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the declaration of faith, the five daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, giving Zakat, and the Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah. Their prayers take place five times a day, at dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, and night. Sunni Muslims pray with their arms folded during the standing position and follow the Sunnah of the Prophet when it comes to the order of prayer. They also pray their Friday Jummah prayer in the mosque, which begins with the sermon being led by the imam.
Sunni scholars understand Islamic law through recognised schools of thought that include Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. Although there may be differences in these four thoughts, they are all accepted within Sunni Islam.
Shia Muslim Beliefs
The Shia faith consists of around 10–15% of the global Muslim population. Shia Muslims, similar to the Sunni sect, believe in one God, the Quran, and the prophethood of Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). However, the difference in belief comes from their understanding of religious leadership. Shia Muslims believe that Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) was appointed by the Prophet himself as his successor and that leadership must continue through his lineage.
Shia Muslims also believe in a line of twelve Imams, the spiritual leaders with knowledge and guidance. The last of these Imams, known as Imam Mahdi, is believed to return in the future.
The Shia Muslim prayer also takes place five times a day; however, Shia Muslims combine their prayers most of the time. An example of this would be that they would choose to pray their Dhur and Asr (noon and afternoon prayer) together, and the Maghrib and Isha (evening and night prayer) together, making it into three prayer times rather than five separate prayers. During each prayer, Shia Muslims place a clay tablet on the ground, which they place their head on during prostration, connecting to the remembrance of earth’s purity.
Shia Muslims pray their Salah with their hands by their side as opposed to Sunni Muslims, another reflection of each sect’s understanding of the Prophet’s traditions.
Despite the differences, every Muslim recites the same verses of the Quran and praises Allah in the same manner. They both perform the core acts of worship required in Islam, including prayer, fasting, charity, and Hajj, but the differences arise from the variation of interpretations of the history and the traditions of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him).
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) has said,
“The best of people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.”
[Bukhari]
Religious Observances
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, along with observing the blessed month of Ramadan.
The Day of Ashura (the 10th Muharram) holds significance for both communities. Sunni Muslims often fast on this day, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him), who commemorated the day that Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses) and his people.
For Shia Muslims, Ashura is especially significant and a day of mourning as it marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) at the Battle of Karbala. His sacrifice is what is remembered as a symbol of courage, justice, and faith.
Unity Within Sects
While Muslim Sunni beliefs focus on leadership through scholarship, Shia Muslim beliefs emphasise their importance in leadership through the Prophet’s family and the Imams. Despite these differences, both Sunni faith and Shia faith are rooted in their worship of Allah and the teachings of Islam. Learning about the Sunni and Shia customs encourages the acts of respect and understanding, uniting Muslims as one, which is ideally a reflection of the true values of Islam.
The Messenger of Allah (Peace be Upon Him) has said,
“The believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts support each other.”
