Muslim Sunni and Shiites, Differences, and Conflict.

Muslim Sunni and Shiites, Differences and Conflict

    One of the most controversial issues that attract non-Muslims' attention is the difference between Muslim Sunni and Shiite. First and foremost, both are Muslim groups who are following the same prophet Mohammed -peace and prayers upon him-, both are reciting the same holy scripture Quran and practicing the five Islamic pillars testimony, praying, fasting, obligatory charity or zakat, and pilgrimage or Hajj".

However, Shiites seem a bit divisive as they had included many other subgroups, sects, and sub-sects. I concluded from my personal readings and reasearch that they represent NO more than 15% of the whole Muslim community.

    Shiites follow one leader of their own and they were practicing additional extra rituals -sometimes exaggerating liturgy- which seemed incompatible with the rest of the Muslim community practices.

   One of the Shiite unfamiliar dogmas was extra revering Ali Ibn Al Khattab who was the fourth Muslim leader after prophet Mohammed had passed away. Apparently, some Shiites' sects recognized their Muslim leader as a God, who couldn't be disobeyed, fooled or even opposed. 

   After prophet Mohamed died-PBUH- his companions gathered to elect the upcoming leader, some suggested that his dearest friend Abu Bakr to be his successor, and some others recommended someone from his lineage to inherit the leadership.  It was believec to be Ali Ibn Abi Talib would be the best fit. The election went fair, but they didn't consider having Ali in their election meeting which drove some denominations mad and more sectarian as they considered the rest of the prophet's companions as traitors.

A group of them agreed that none of them should follow any prophetic statements, teachings or instructions the companions ever stated. But, the whole Muslim community believed that the prophetic teachings, sayings, and actions should be copied and the best source to access the prophetic knowledge was through his well respected companions; thus, most of the prophet's companions' actions, statements and their copy of the Quran were approved and accredited by the majority of Muslims and were considered as a general guide and reference to all Muslims around the world.  Muslims claimed the resources they aquired through the companions as the guiding reference and they named it as Sunna and here is how the word “Sunnis”was created. The word "Sunnis" means people who follow the “Sunna”.  The word “Sunnis” represents people who follow and copy all the prophet's actions and respect his companions, his lineage, and kinships. 

   Some of the Shiites disrespect Aa'isha- the prophet's most favorite and closest wife. Their stance against Aisha was because of her attitude against Ali- their favorite Imam and leader- at the days of the biggest Islamic turmoil. 

   When The third Muslim Caliphate-Othman Ibn Affan- was the leading the Muslim state back then, some had claims as they claimed unfair treatment and nepotism as they thought that the respected Caliphate was only appointing his relatives in important roles and positions. Then, a fanatic group decided to kill The Caliphate Othman. And they seiged his house and mudered him while he was reciting the Quran peacefully.

  This chaotic phase developed when the Muslim leaders in charge disagreed on further consequences to be applied in this case. Aisha, the prophet's wife among others agreed upon punishing those murderers who murdered Othman, the Caliphate, while others including Ali the fourth Muslim leader suggessted to wait until things were settled. 

  The two groups disagreed and some of the fanatics succeeded in spreading rumors between the two disagreeing groups. Then the conflict got escalated and , unfortunately, escalations led to intra battles between the two Muslim groups.

   Aisha was at the side was battling against Ali may Allah be pleased with them both. Simply,  Aisha was at the side who decided to fight back the murders who killed the Caliphate Othman, to discourage any further battles or revolutions against any Muslim leader.  While Ali decided to have negotiations with murders instead of fighting against them so as not undermine the very fabric of the Muslim community.

Things went further with some of Ali's supporters, as they were exaggerated in how they reverred and cherished him as if he was godly and wise, to the point that they favored him over the proohet’s best friend Abu Bakr Al-Seddiq.

Some of these emerging groups that favored Ali went more divisive about Ali and his policies, and statements. They equate Ali’s teachings and sayings to the prophetic statements and teachings. 

Eventually, those fanatic groups formed the Shiites and Shiites is an Arabic word meant people who made a group supporting a specific belief and they so hold onto it firmly. 

   Ismailies, Ethna -Ashris are the two major groups of Shiites, and they are completely different from each other and different from other Shiite grouos like Sabee's, Zaydis, Husseinis,..etc.

 Muslim Sunnis have just four subgroups and they are NOT sects, they are only different in jurisprudence as they usually disagree on how might someone practice the Islamic laws and rules but they are NOT conflicting nor fighting.

Fanatic Shiites are well known by their tendency to violence especially to their coreligionists Sunnis and their extra practices and feasts, and they always oppress Sunnis as this how they believe would take Hussein's revenge.

Hussein was the son of Ali-the Shiite favored leader,  and the Shiites promised Hussein to support him in case if he ran for leadership against Muaweyya, the Muslim leader who came after Ali.  Imam Hussein trusted them and answered their call, but they let him down and they never kept their word.  Imam Hussein may Allah be pleased with him was betrayed and murdered in a battle known as Karbala and all of his followers as well.

#muslim

#Sunni

#Shiite