The Development of Islam (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

The difference between Sunni and Shi’ah Islam

• Islam is divided into two main traditions: Sunni and Shi’ah (or Shi’a)

• Between 85–90 per cent of Muslims are Sunni Muslims, and most of the rest are Shi’a Muslims

• The two traditions have several things in common. They both: 

  • Believe in Allah as the one true God

  • Use the Qur’an as the source of authority

  • Believe in the same main prophets 

  • Believe in the Day of Judgement

• The differences between the two traditions mainly relate to the historical leadership of Islam when the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) died

• Sunni Muslims think that only the Qur’an and the Sunnah have authority

  • This is where the name Sunni comes from: followers of the Sunnah

  • Sunni Muslims elected Abu Bakr to be their Caliph and to act on behalf of Muhammad (pbuh) and Allah

  • Imams are not holy figures appointed by Allah

    • They are good teachers and leaders chosen by the community

  • Muslims should be guided by the consensus of the community

• Shi’a Muslims believe that Muhammad (pbuh) named his cousin Ali as his successor

  • Ali and his supporters believed that the true Imam had to be a descendant of Muhammad (pbuh) and chosen by Allah

  • Shi’a Muslims focus on the family lineage through Imams, divinely appointed successors of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • They believe that Muslims should be guided by the Imams, who have authority (Imamah), and this is one of the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din

  • Today, Shi’a Muslims have their own interpretation of Islamic laws and only accept sayings of Muhammad (pbuh) that have been passed down through Ali or his followers

• This means that there are some differences in practices and in how beliefs are interpreted between the branches of Islam

• Sunni Muslims:

  • Have the Six Articles of Faith

  • Follow the Five Pillars of Islam

  • Pray five times a day for Salah

• Shi’a Muslims:

  • Have the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din

  • Have the Ten Obligatory Acts, which include the Five Pillars and additional duties

  • Pray five times a day, but do so in three prayer sessions

Sunni views about Caliph Abu Bakr

• The word “caliph” (or khalifah) means successor

• Sunni Muslims believe that the rightful successor to Muhammad (pbuh) was Caliph Abu Bakr (632–634 CE)

  • Abu Bakr was Muhammad’s (pbuh) father-in-law and closest friend 

  • He was a holy and caring man who had a real concern for the poor

  • Abu Bakr helped to defend Makkah in the early days of Islam

  • He had a role in the creation of the Qur’an by helping to gather the material

• Sunni Muslims believe that Abu Bakr had the authority to act on behalf of Muhammad (pbuh) and Allah

• They called him the first ‘rightly guided’ Caliph

Sunni views about Caliphs ‘Umar and ‘Uthman

Caliph ‘Umar

• Caliph ‘Umar (634–644 CE) was chosen by Abu Bakr

  • He was a strong soldier and a companion of Muhammad (pbuh)

  • He is renowned for his conversion story: he tried to stop his sister from becoming a Muslim before being inspired and changing himself by the Qur’an 

• ‘Umar was a good man who sought the welfare of others and introduced a tax system to help those less fortunate

Caliph ‘Uthman

• Caliph ‘Uthman (644–656 CE) was Muhammad’s (pbuh) son-in-law 

  • He was appointed Caliph by a council of six men who had been elected by Umar

  • Uthman was a very religious figure

  • He helped organise the Qur’an

• Eventually, he became unpopular as a leader and was murdered

• Sunni Muslims accept “four Rightly-Guided Caliphs” as the rightful successors of Muhammad (pbuh):

  • Abu Bakr

  • ‘Umar

  • ‘Uthman

  • Ali (see next section)

Shi’ah views about Caliph ‘Ali

• Caliph Ali (656–661 CE) grew up with Muhammad (pbuh) 

• The two men were very close, and Ali went on to marry Muhammad’s (pbuh) daughter, Fatima

• Ali was a good soldier and stood up for Islam, but he was assassinated in 661 at a mosque in Iraq

• Ali was a great follower of Muhammad (pbuh) and regarded him as a prophet of Allah from the very start

• Shi’ah Muslims believe that Ali, not Abu Bakr, is the true successor of Muhammad (pbuh)

• Therefore, he is known as the First Imam, not the fourth Caliph

Shi’ah beliefs about the Twelve Imams

• Imamate is the Shi’a belief that all Imams should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

  • This is part of the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi’a Islam

• The Twelver Branch of Shi’a Islam believes that there have been 12 Imams in total

  • Some believe that Muhammad (pbuh) said that 12 Imams from his own tribe (the Quraysh) would succeed him as leaders

• Shi’a Muslims believe that the first eleven Imams led the community, with some being killed

• Muhammad al-Mahdi was the last Imam

  • He disappeared after his father’s death

  • It is believed he has been kept alive, hidden somewhere on Earth, and will return with Jesus at the end of time to bring justice and equality

• Shi’a Muslims believe that revelation from Allah was completed with the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) but that twelve Imams were chosen by Allah to guide and preserve Allah’s message

• The Imams rule justly and are also the only people who can interpret the Qur’an and Shariah Law without fault

• For Shi’a Muslims, Imams are seen as infallible and must be obeyed

• They are protectors of the faith, ensuring that the teachings do not become corrupted or spoiled