Islam has two main branches: the Shia and the Sunni. This split in the religion comes down to a political and spiritual difference of opinion about who should have succeeded Muhammad after his death in 632 CE. Major tenets and beliefs are often similar between the two branches, but some important differences exist. Tensions and conflicts between Shias and Sunnis are very similar to those that have at times existed between Catholics and Protestants.
In the Middle East, the battle between the Sunnis and Shiites has been going on for quite some time. With one and a half billion Muslims in the world, it is extremely unlikely that they are ALL involved. In fact, this age-old conflict isn't even about religion. Check out this episode to see what the Sunni-Shiite conflict is really about.
Though all Muslims follow the Qur'an and Muhammad as a prophet, different traditions and beliefs have developed out of the two branches of the faith. There are moderate and fundamentalist sects within each branch.
Differences are more apparent in countries where Sunnis and Shias have major conflict and physically fight one another. For example, differences are more noticeable in Iraq than they are in Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, two countries where Muslims are less likely to identify as either Sunni or Shia, but rather simply as Muslim.
Perception of Ali
As the division between Sunni and Shia is about Muhammad's successor, there are differences in how the two branches view the historical succession. Sunni Muslims recognize and respect Ali as the fourth righteous caliph who replaced Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph. In contrast, the largest sect of Shia Islam, known as Twelvers, tends to reject the first three Sunni caliphs, or at least downplay their role in Islam's development, and instead sees Ali as the first true leader, or imam, of Islam.
The difference of opinion regarding who and when certain men were (or are) supposed to be in power can sometimes be a source of conflict between the two branches. For example, many Shia Twelvers believe several of their initial imams were murdered by Sunni caliphs.
Differences are more apparent in countries where Sunnis and Shias have major conflict and physically fight one another. For example, differences are more noticeable in Iraq than they are in Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan, two countries where Muslims are less likely to identify as either Sunni or Shia, but rather simply as Muslim.
Perception of Ali
As the division between Sunni and Shia is about Muhammad's successor, there are differences in how the two branches view the historical succession. Sunni Muslims recognize and respect Ali as the fourth righteous caliph who replaced Uthman ibn Affan, the third caliph. In contrast, the largest sect of Shia Islam, known as Twelvers, tends to reject the first three Sunni caliphs, or at least downplay their role in Islam's development, and instead sees Ali as the first true leader, or imam, of Islam.
The difference of opinion regarding who and when certain men were (or are) supposed to be in power can sometimes be a source of conflict between the two branches. For example, many Shia Twelvers believe several of their initial imams were murdered by Sunni caliphs.
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