New to Islam! difference between Sunni and Shia plz?

Assalaamu alaikum,

The difference is explained here:

"Essay on the Origins of Shee'ism"

http://abulhaarith.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/a-coll...

for information helpful to New Muslims, I recommend:

http://www.islaam.ca/

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Also the Noble Shaykh, Dr. Saalih al-Fawzaan, spoke about the origins and the deviation of the Shee'ah (see below):

"A Glimpse into the Shee’ah"

AUTHOR: Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan

SOURCE: Lamhah ‘anil-Firaq-id-Daalah (pg. 38-39)

PRODUCED BY: http://www.al-ibaanah.com/

The Shee’ah are those who have split off and taken sides with the Members of the Prophet’s Household (Ahlul-Bayt). Originally, the word tashayyu’ (splitting into factions) meant: Following and Aiding (someone).

Allaah says: “And verily from his (Nooh’s) shee’ah (i.e. those who followed his way) was Ibraaheem.” [Surah As-Saaffaat: 83] Meaning: Ibraaheem was from his followers and among the supporters of his Religion.

Then afterward, this word began to be applied to this deviant sect that claims to be followers of the Members of the Household, which consists of ‘Alee bin Abee Taailb (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) and his offspring.

They allege that ‘Alee (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) deserved to be commissioned with the Khilaafah after the Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and that Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan and the Companions (in general) oppressed ‘Alee, usurping the Khilaafah from him.

This is what they claim. But they are lying in this matter since the Companions unanimously agreed on giving the pledge of allegiance (bay’ah) to Abu Bakr. And amongst these Companions was ‘Alee himself, who pledged his allegiance to Abu Bakr, and thereafter to ‘Umar and then ‘Uthmaan. So this means that in reality, they (i.e. the Shee’ah) hold ‘Alee to be deceitful!

They also deem all of the Companions to be disbelievers except for a few amongst them. And they have turned to invoking curses on Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, labeling them as the “Two idols of Quraish”

From their beliefs and practices is that: They go to extremes with regard to the Imaams from the Members of the Household, giving them the right to legislate laws and abrogate rulings (in Islaam) because they claim that the Qur’aan is distorted and deficient.

This is to the point that they have resorted to taking their Imaams as lords besides Allaah. So they have built tombs over their graves and erected shrines for them, making Tawaaf around them, presenting sacrificial animals to them and swearing oaths to them!

The Shee’aah have split up into further denominations, some less dangerous than others and some worse than others. Amongst these denominations are the Zaydees, the Raafidees, the Isma’eelis, the Faatimees, the Qaraamitees and so on and so forth – a large amount of groups and numerous denominations.

So it is like this – everyone who abandons the truth will not cease to be upon differing and division. Allaah says:

“So if they believe in the same thing you believe (i.e. Prophet and Companions), then they are rightly-guided. But if they turn away, then they are only in divided opposition (amongst themselves). So Allaah will suffice for you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 137]

So whoever abandons the truth will be tested with falling into falsehood, deviation and division, which all lead to no other result except destruction, and we seek refuge in Allaah!

The Shee’ah have split up amongst themselves into numerous sects and denominations, and likewise the Qadariyyah. The Khawaarij have also split up into various denominations (amongst themselves), such as: The Azaariqah, the Hurooriyyah, the Najdaat, the Safriyyah and the Ibaadiyyah. Amongst them are those who are extreme in their beliefs and amongst them are those who are less than that.

the difference is not spiritual but political

The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."

On the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.

The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).

Shia says that the Caliphate should go to Ali AS at the time When Prophet died . and Shia Believe that Caliphat is From Allah (jal shanaho) and Shia Follows 12 Imams . and Sunni Sect Ullema

ABu Hanifa , Imam Muslim , Imam Bukhari they all are indirect students of Shia's Imam Jafar e Sadiq . the 6th decendent of Ali AS

you converted to Islam, yayy lol congradzz

lemme tell you the difference between a sunni and shia

sunni's believe in prophet muhmamed as the last prophet.

shia's believe that Hz. Ali was a "prophet" after prophet muhammad's death

and after Hz. Ali they believe in the next decendent and so on

thats it

Alhamdulilah sister for you becoming a Muslim. The Ummah is growing more and more as time goes.

I wont comment on Shiaism because if I answer about it I will just be telling you lies (according to the Shias).

Well anyways Sunnis are people who follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

We beleive in the Quran and Hadith.

We beleive that Abu Bakr (ra) was the first and Rightly Guided Caliph.

We beleive that the Companions of the Prophet (saW) were the best people after him.

We beleive in the Truth.

[ Just wanna tell you one thing about Shiaism that is different from Sunnis. They beleive in the 12 Infallible Imams.]

Just a very quick summary of a very few things I can think of off the bat.

Muslims(Sunni) Believe in Qur'an and Sunnah as the main resource to Islam. Knowledgeable and educated scholars usually have most of the answers (taken from Qur'an/Sunnah). Sunni believe Muhammad's companion are all equal and well respected people that took Islam first hand from the prophet. Muhammad's family are not inheritors of the message or the prophet hood. Muhammad is the last and final prophet. Islam is a complete package that can't be edited by adding or subtracting anything.

On the other hand.

Shia believe in Shia'ism. They don't believe in most of the hadith, and they have their own version of their Qur'an were they give out their own weird meanings to it. They believe in 12Imams that came as "prophets" or messengers AFTER the death of Muhammad. The 12th is yet to come. They put these imams at such a high Standard it becomes shirk. They pray to and ask these imams for help rather then Allah. They believe these imams and their shieks can interpret the religion and add to it, they also believe these imams and shieks are incapable of making mistakes. They love some of the family of Muhammad, they go to an extent of saying they are even better then Muhammad and they will enter paradise before him..etc..They hate most of the companions, even though they were the closest men to the prophet, and the best of men after him. They even hate and curse the wife of the prophet!!, they say she is from the people of hell and they curse her and the other companions in and out. They call the killer of Omar a hero and a martyr although he wasn't even a Muslim, as a matter of fact he killed Omar while he was a Caliph of the Ummah praying and he killed him out of hate for Islam. There are many things you will find that were added later and subtracted after Islam was complete, stuff that are not even mentioned in the Qur'an or Sunnah.

This can go on and on.

Basically...

---> Shias believe that the Prophet's [SAWW] cousin, brother-in-law, first Muslim, best friend, first person to be born in the Kaabah Hazrat Ali [AS] should have been the first Caliph of Islam after the Prophet [PBUH] passed away.

---> Sunnis believe that the Prophet's [PBUH] "friend" Abu Bakr should have been the first Caliph of Islam.

---> Shias believe in the twelve Imams [AS] who were chosen by Allah to guide us after the Prophet [SAWW] passed away, since most of the Caliphs after Hazrat Ali [AS] were corrupted, evil, murderers.

---> Sunnis believe Abu Bakr, Umar and Usman are enough for them.

---> Shias believe that Aisha was evil and she fought against Harzat Ali [AS]

---> Sunnis believe Aisha is the "mother of believers".

There are loads of other differences.

Try looking them up in Wikipedia.

Hope this helped.

=D

Basically the difference is politics. Sunnis believe in kind of presidentialism, (thats not really a word but oh well get over it :D) They believe that if the person is a good muslim and is able to lead muslims they can follow in the footsteps, they kind of "elect" people. Shias are more into the whole king-ness. Basically they believe that the person to Follow Muhammad (peace be upon him) should be family members and be passed on through the family. this is my take on it after reading numerous sites about it in the basicist terms. I am also newly converted and i had to figure it out. after reading a bit it finally kind of just clicked to me in this non-conventional manner of explaining a religions different sects

Sectarianism is haram.

"And if you obey most of those in the earth, they will lead you astray from Allah's way; they follow but conjecture and they only lie." (6:116)

"Surely they who divided their religion into parts and became sects, you have no concern with them; their affair is only with Allah, then He will inform them of what they did." (6:159)

"Surely this Islam is your religion, one religion (only), and I am your Lord, therefore serve Me.

And they broke their religion (into sects) between them: to Us shall all come back." (21:92-93)

"And surely this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, therefore be careful (of your duty) to Me.

But they cut off their religion among themselves into sects, each part rejoicing in that which is with them." (23:52-53)

"...and be not of the polytheists,

Those who split up their Religion, and become (mere) Sects,- each party exulting in that which is with itself!" (30:31-32)

Edit: You people are now thumbing down Qur'anic verses??? Unbelievable.

the short answer is that the shia believe that someone from the prophets family should have been the ruler of the ummah and the sunni say it does not matter as long as the ruler is a righteous Muslim.

I welcome you to islam and am very glad you have chosen this path for yourself. As a lot of Sunnis here have taken the liberty to bash and insult the Shiaa school-of-thought, i thought I would share with you what we really are and what we believe in (considering you are a revert, i know you are open-minded enough to disregard the utter filth you see in the above answers)

We Shiaas believe that the rightful caliph after the Prophets death was Ali not because he was his relative, but because he was raised by the Prophet. This is one huge misconception most Sunnis have.

Please look into these references for more information:

http://www.revertmuslims.com/

http://www.al-islam.org/

http://www.al-islam.org/shiism/ (<-- this is probably what ur looking for)

http://www.maaref-foundation.com/english/index.htm

http://www.ascenttv.net/

I will be more than happy to answer any questions.

God bless you :)