What is the Difference Between Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims lies in their beliefs regarding succession after the Prophet Muhammad's death. Both Sunni and Shiite Muslims share central beliefs, including the Oneness of Allah (tawhid) and that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the messenger of Allah. However, they have different views on who should have succeeded the Prophet.
Sunni Muslims believe that the Prophet did not explicitly declare a successor and that the caliphs were elected through voting. They consider the caliphs as the immediate successors of the Prophet. Sunni Muslims follow various schools of law, including Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Shafi'i. Most Sufis, who emphasize personal spiritual search, are Sunnis belonging to various Sufi tariqahs.
Shiite Muslims, on the other hand, believe that the Prophet publicly designated his cousin and son-in-law, Hazrat Ali (peace be upon him), as the first in a line of hereditary Imams from the Prophet's family to lead the community after him. Shiites give human beings an exalted status, often venerating clerics as saints, while Sunnis do not.
Despite these differences, both Sunnis and Shiites read the Quran, follow the five tenets of Islam (fasting during Ramadan, pilgrimage to Mecca, ritual prayer, giving charity, and pledging themselves to their faith), and share many other core beliefs and practices.
Comparative Table: Sunni Muslims vs Shiite Muslims
The main differences between Sunni and Shiite Muslims arise from their beliefs about leadership and religious hierarchy. Here is a table summarizing the differences:
| Feature | Sunni Muslims | Shiite Muslims |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of Name | "Tradition" or "well-trodden path" | "Partisans of Ali" |
| Current Adherents | 80-90% of 1.6 billion Muslims | 10-15% of 1.6 billion Muslims |
| Did Muhammad Designate a Successor? | No | Yes |
| True Successor of the Prophet | Abu Bakr, father of Muhammad's wife, A'isha | Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of Fatimah, Muhammad's daughter |
| Qualifications for Leader of the Faith | Tribe of the Prophet; later, any qualified ruler | Family of the Prophet |
| Leadership | Imam is a prayer leader; no clerical hierarchy | Imam is an exalted position; Ayatollah is title for highest imams |
| Quality of Imams | Human | Infallible manifestations of God; perfect interpreters of the Qur'an |
| Approach to Islam | Qur'an applies to entire life; individuals approach God directly | More orthodox; Qur'an and laws interpreted by clerics |
| Holy Cities | Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem | Mecca, Najaf, Karbala, Medina, Jerusalem |
| Day of Communal Worship (not considered Sabbath or a holy day) | Friday | Friday |
Both Sunni and Shiite Muslims read the Quran, believe in Prophet Muhammad as the messenger of Allah, and follow the five tenets of Islam, which include fasting during Ramadan, pledging to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, practicing ritual prayer, giving charity to the poor, and pledging themselves to their faith. Their prayer rituals are nearly identical, with slight variations in hand positions. However, they have different interpretations of Islamic law and religious hierarchy.