How did the different sects of

Sunni and Shi’itesimpact Islam?

7.7 Analyze the origins and impact of different sects

within Islam, Sunnis and Shi’ites.

Sunni & Shi’a

Advanced Global Literature

Branch Number of Adherents

Sunni 1,140,000,000

Shiite 220,000,000

Ahmadiyya 10,000,000

Druze 450,000

Branch Number of Adherents

Catholic 1,030,000,000

Orthodox/Eastern Christian 240,000,000

Conservative Protestant 200,000,000

Liberal Protestant 150,000,000

African indigenous sects (AICs) 110,000,000

Pentecostal 105,000,000

Anglican 73,000,000

Assemblies of God32,000,000

Jehovah's Witnesses 14,800,000

Latter Day Saints 11,200,000

New Thought (Unity, Christian Science, etc.) 1,500,000

Friends (Quakers) 300,000

Source:

From the CIA World

Fact Book on Religion

What do you know about Shiite Islam and

Shiites? What makes them a distinct

group within Islam? (1 minute)

Term Hint Definition

Sunni,Sunnite:

Majority branch of Islam (ca. 85% of all Muslims worldwide). Favor a caliph who was elected for his governing skills and reject any inherited right to leadership

Shi'a,Shi'I,Shi'ite:

Minority branch of Islam (ca. 15% worldwide, with several sub-groups); favor a caliph who was related to Muhammad, and believe their leaders should be descended from those appointed by Muhammad and thus by God

Caliph: ruler of a Muslim state

Imam a local religious leader; generally of a mosque; often to believe to be “sinless” by the Shi’abecause his authority comes directly from God

http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search

?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shia

The 2 factions of Islam

http://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shiahttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shiahttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shiahttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shiahttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shiahttp://app.discoveryeducation.com/search?Ntt=sunni+vs.+shia

It means you follow the “practices or habits” of the Prophet.

It means that you do not believe that the rightful leaders of Islam have to be related to the Prophet.

It means that you believe that any qualified leader, who has a close relationship with God and detailed knowledge of Quran, who is selected by the elders (respected, well-known for piety) is an appropriate leader.

“caliphs”

leaders who would follow

Muslim tenets

1st caliph: Prophet’s adviser,

Abu Bakr

recognize heirs of 1st 4 caliphs

as legitimate

It means you follow the “practices or habits” of the Prophet.

It means that you believe that the rightful leaders of Islam have to be related to the Prophet Muhammad through Ali (Cousin/ Son-in-law).

Ali is seen as divinely appointed imamAli is the incarnation of God on Earth

“imams”

descendants of Muhammad

1st imam: cousin & son-in-law

Ali was also the 4th “caliph”

Trade- Edit – Add

Blue: 2 Facts about Sunnis

Green: 2 facts about Shias

What facts might lead someone to the following opinion; Sunnis are more democratic and Shias are religiously run?

• 85 to 90% world wide

• largest sect of Islam

• Ahl ul-Sunna

• in Arabic: أهل السنة

• “the folks of the tradition”

Shi’a Majorities: Iran, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Lebanon

Give as many reasons

why these 2 sects have

conflict with each

other?

3,2,13 similarities between Shiaand Sunni2 major differences between Sunni and Shia1 major impact this division had on Islam

Imagine that you are an American

diplomat. Write a one-paragraph

letter to the King of Bahrain

advising the course of action he

should take toward Shiite

revolutionaries.

Should he give in to their demands?

Would you recommend that he

resign if he could help pick his

successor?

Do you think he should refuse to

cooperate? Have you ever heard

“give them an inch and they’ll want

a mile?”