Basics of Islam

Different sects / branches

Sunni & Shia

The way of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - i.e. his teachings, thoughts, actions, behaviours, etc - is referred to as the Sunnah of the Prophet. And since Muslim consider him the best example for mankind, Allah has advised them to follow his ways. Any Muslims following the sunnah of the Prophet are referred to as Sunni Muslim (or Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘ah - People of the Tradition and the Congregation).

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not specifically appoint a successor to lead the Muslim Ummah (community) after his death. Thus when he passed away there was initially a period of confusion as to who should succeed his leadership. Abu Bakr Siddiqu (Radhiallahu'anhu - May Allah Be Pleased With Him) - the Prophet's closest companion and father-in-law - was elected by his fellow companions to become the first Caliph (head) of the Ummah.

The first four caliphs were:

  1. Abu Bakr
  2. `Umar ibn al-Khattāb
  3. Uthman Ibn Affan
  4. Ali ibn Abu Talib

...and they are referred to as the al-Khulafā’ur-Rāshidūn (The Rightly Guided Caliphs).

However, amongst the Sunni Muslims a small section argued that it should've been Ali ibn Abu Talib as the first caliph since he was the only one to be related to the Prophet - he was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad as he was married to his daughter Fatima (May Allah Be Pleased with Her). They believed that it was his divine right and he should've been elected. This group came to be known as the Shi'as (or Shiites).

This group also believed that an Imam (leader) was a divinely appointed leader that will guide the people. New ones appear from time to time as they are needed. Throughout the history of Islam, men have claimed this position. Whereas the Sunni's believe that the imam is just the leader of the Friday night prayer service and nothing more.

These are the two major differences between Sunnis and Shi'as.

The Sunnis make up 87-90% of the Muslim population and the Shi'as comprise the rest. Most Shi'as are found in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and parts of Africa.

History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.

De Lacy O'Leary in 'Islam at the Crossroads,' London, 1923.

School of thoughts (Madhabs)

Allah T'aala had revealed the Qur'an through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as guidance for us mankind. We also have the Hadiths - books containing the Sunnah (the actions and teachings) of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) - to further aid us.

However, with the passage of time new situation arises such as how to observe rituals, moral issues and social legislation in Islam. To resolve these we need to create new laws based on the wisdom and guidance of the Qur'an and Hadiths. This expansion of the Islamic laws, or Shariah, is known as Fiqh (meaning 'deep understanding' and referring to Islamic Jurisprudence). The expansion of Islamic laws can only be made by qualified scholars (or Ulamas) and a person trained in fiqh is known as Faqih.

Each of the Sahaba (Prophet's Companion) had a unique school of thought or religious jurisprudence based on their understanding and knowledge of the Qur'an and Hadiths. These school of thought are referred to as Madhabs.

Although the Prophet (pbuh) had many Companions (May Allah Be Pleased WIth Them), with their own Madhabs, only four remain within Sunni Islam: Hanafi, Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki.

The differences between these schools of thought manifest in minor practical differences, as most of us Sunni Muslims consider ourselves fundamentally the same. Sunnis generally do not identify themselves with a particular school of thought - simply calling themselves "Sunnis".