islamic history
A brief introduction to Islamic sects (denominations)
from www.dummies.com (a For Dummies brand)
Muslims Adhere to Different Islamic Sects
By Malcolm Clark
Part of the Islam For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Although Sunnis make up the majority of Muslims, not every Muslim belongs to the same Islamic sect. A Muslim's Islamic beliefs may take one of these forms:
Muslims Adhere to Different Islamic Sects
By Malcolm Clark
Part of the Islam For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Although Sunnis make up the majority of Muslims, not every Muslim belongs to the same Islamic sect. A Muslim's Islamic beliefs may take one of these forms:
Sunni Muslims include 84%–90% of all Muslims.
Sunni means “tradition,” and Sunnis regard themselves as those who
emphasize following the traditions of Muhammad and of the first two generations
of the community of Muslims that followed Muhammad.
A number of movements to reform Islam have originated
mainly in the 20th century. Some are limited to one country and others have a
broader influence. Most are Sunni movements, such as the Wahhabis, the Muslim
Brotherhood, and Jama`at-i-Islami.
Shi`ite Muslims comprise 10%–16% of all Muslims.
Shi`ites are the “party of `Ali,” who believe that Muhammad’s son-in-law `Ali
was his designated successor (imam) and that the Muslim community should
be headed by a designated descendent of Muhammad. Three main subgroups of
Shi`ites are Twelvers (Ithna-`Asharis), Seveners
(Isma`ilis), and Fivers (Zaydis).
Sufis are Islamic mystics. Sufis go beyond external
requirements of the religion to seek a personal experience of God through forms
of meditation and spiritual growth. A number of Sufi orders, comparable to
Christian monastic orders, exist. Most Sufis are also Sunni Muslims, although
some are Shi`ite Muslims. Many conservative Sunni Muslims regard Sufism as a
corruption of Islam, although most still regard Sufis as Muslims.
Sunni
from Wikepedia
Sunni Islam (/ˈsuːni/ or /ˈsʊni/) is the largest branch of Islam; its adherents are referred to in Arabic as ahl as-sunnah wa l-jamāʻah (Arabic: أهل السنة والجماعة), "people of the tradition of Muhammad and the consensus of the Ummah" or ahl as-sunnah (Arabic: أهل السنة). For short, in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis, and Sunnites.
Sunni Islam is sometimes referred to as the orthodox version of the religion.[1][2] The
word "Sunni" comes from the term Sunnah (Arabic: سنة), which refers to the sayings and actions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as recorded in Hadiths.[3]
Find out more about Sunni's
Sunni Islam (/ˈsuːni/ or /ˈsʊni/) is the largest branch of Islam; its adherents are referred to in Arabic as ahl as-sunnah wa l-jamāʻah (Arabic: أهل السنة والجماعة), "people of the tradition of Muhammad and the consensus of the Ummah" or ahl as-sunnah (Arabic: أهل السنة). For short, in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis, and Sunnites.
Sunni Islam is sometimes referred to as the orthodox version of the religion.[1][2] The
word "Sunni" comes from the term Sunnah (Arabic: سنة), which refers to the sayings and actions of the Islamic prophet Muhammad as recorded in Hadiths.[3]
Find out more about Sunni's
Shia
The Shia (Arabic: شيعة, Shīʿah) represent the second largest denomination of Islam. Adherents of Shia Islam are called Shias.[1] "Shia" is the short form of the historic phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī (شيعة علي),
meaning "followers", "faction", or "party" of Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin Ali, whom the Shia believe to be Muhammad's successor in the Caliphate.
Shia Islam is based on the Quran and the message of the Islamic prophet Muhammad attested in Shia hadith, and certain books deemed sacred to Shia (Nahj al-Balagha).[2][3] In contrast to other types, the Shia believe that only God has the right to choose a representative to
safeguard Islam, the Quran and sharia.
Find out more about the Shia
meaning "followers", "faction", or "party" of Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin Ali, whom the Shia believe to be Muhammad's successor in the Caliphate.
Shia Islam is based on the Quran and the message of the Islamic prophet Muhammad attested in Shia hadith, and certain books deemed sacred to Shia (Nahj al-Balagha).[2][3] In contrast to other types, the Shia believe that only God has the right to choose a representative to
safeguard Islam, the Quran and sharia.
Find out more about the Shia