The Sunni Shia Conflict Essay - 1341 Words

Sunni Shia Conflict Syria is currently all over the news regarding what many have to come to see as a civil war. A term like civil war needs to identify the players and the reasons for the war. In this case the players are being identified as pro government or antigovernment with a Sunni or Shia overtone. Sunni and Shia are the two major sects of Islam and both have a historical based conflict going back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad and how Muslims should be governed. This conflict has caused tensions and violence to flare up throughout Islamic history. This conflict has carried into modern times and has becoming a rallying point for Muslim people calling for change with their government and across the Middle Eastern region. The†¦show more content†¦Ali’s son Husayn was sought out and asked to lead a revolt against the Uyammad’s. When Husayn set out on his journey to overthrow Yazid, the current caliph, his â€Å"supporters† failed to join his ba nd. Husayn and 72 of his followers were killed on the plains of Karbala, Iraq. Thus the Shi’at Ali (Party of Ali) or Shia sect of Islam was born (Egger 2004). The Sunni sect would continue to support what they saw as the traditional path of Islam. From this initial split other divisions and changes occurred within the religious practices and laws of Islam. While both share a belief in the Qur’an and the sunna (sayings or actions) of the Prophet Muhammad there are religious and legal differences. Imams are by the Shia definition the divinely guided ones but the Sunni defines Imaans as saints (Diffen n.d.). The Shia declared Ali and his descendants Imams with a special connection to the will of God with religious and legal authorities. The number of Imams and who were truly the divinely guided Imams would split Shias. There arose many branches but it came down to three main ones the Twelvers, the Seveners, and Zayids (Goldschmidt Jr. 2013). The Imams were mystical bein gs and the Twelvers believe that the 12th Imam disappeared and will one day return to set thing right for Muslims. Within the Sunni sect there are four branches of Islamic Law:Show MoreRelatedThe Conflict Between Shias And Sunni959 Words   |  4 Pagesdivided into two groups, Shia, Sunni and their view of the religion Islam. The blood shadings between Shia and Sunni in the history of Islamic interfaith differences have affected future generations, since the death of Prophet Muhammad in A.D. 632, which have affected educational and social opportunity for future generations. So, dose believing in will of G-d bring peace or death, hate or hormone? What is the mission of Islamic groups who call themselves Sunnis and Shias, to bring peace to the worldRead MoreSunni Shia Conflict Essay857 Words   |  4 PagesSaudi Arabia and Iran Saudi Arabia considers itself to be the Protector of Islam as they contain Mecca and Medina as well as oversee the Hajj. 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In Arabic, Sunni means â€Å"one who follows the traditionsRead MoreThe Conflict Between The Between Civilizational Blocks, Muslim And Muslims1141 Words   |  5 PagesIslam must be done. Muslims are split into two mains branches: Sunnis and Shia. The origin of this division was a dispute right after the death of the Islam’s founder, Prophet Muhammad, in 932. The subject of the dispute is â€Å"Who should lead the Muslim community?†. In the whole world there is a broad majority of Sunnis, who represents between 80 to 90% of Muslims and Shia Muslims are representing only 10% of the Muslim population. Shia Muslims and Sunnits Muslims share many fundamental practices andRead MoreIslam and Great Sectarian Divi de1098 Words   |  5 Pagesfaiths by Shias and Sunnis is truly staggering.  This is specially so when one considers the tiny differences that define and divide them. Since the earliest days of Islam in the 7th century when the schism first tore the young Muslim community apart, the two sects have been warring incessantly. Untold thousands have been killed over the years, and this internecine war continues to devastate communities and nations. I am not qualified to go into the rights and wrongs of this old conflict. HoweverRead MoreIn Pakistan, Which Aspires To Be A Islamic State, Sectarian1475 Words   |  6 PagesIn Pakistan, which aspires to be a Islamic state , sectarian conflict is part of, and interacts with, broader issues concerning the place of Islam in public life. There are sectarian identities which diversify each group and say who belongs to what sect , for example the believing of attending a mosque or madarasa. Islamization, or the introduction of Islamic norms and institutions through government policy or decree, is another factor which has often provoked and defined sectarian controversiesRead MoreSunni-Shiite Conflict1583 Words   |  7 PagesThe Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam have been feuding for hundreds of years dating back to the beginning of the Islamic religion. The deity or god of the Sunnis is Allah. The Sunni branch of Islam is the larger of the two branches with over 80% of the Muslim population. The Sunni are the majority in most of the countries that have Islamic followers. There are a few different translations of what Sunna stands for, one of which is â€Å"Habitual Practice.† The differences between the two branches can