what is the main difference in a sunni muslim and a shia muslim?
29160
The primary difference in practice comes in that Sunni Muslims mainly rely on the Sunnah, a record of the teachings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad to guide their actions while the Shiites more heavily on their ayatollahs, whom they see as a sign of God on earth.
411440
The Shiites and Sunnis are ethnically Arabs (that is, they speak Arabic and share a common culture). Kurds are not Arabs; they have their own culture and language. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims. The division between Shiites and Sunnis dates to the death of Muhammad, the founder of Islam, in 632 A.D.
23743
Muslims comprise a number of sects: the majority practice Sunni Islam (estimated at 75–95%), while 5–15% Shias Islam. Nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to the Hanafi Fiqh Islamic law school.
1184902
Shia and Sunni Islam are the two major denominations of Islam. They chose sides following the death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in AD 632. ... Sunnis believed that Muhammed's successor should be Abu Bakr and Omar, and the Shias believed that his successor should be Ali.
1246773
For Sunnis, the "Twelve Imams" and the present-day Shiite Imams (e.g., "Ayatollahs," or the "shadows of Allah") are humans without any divine powers. They are considered righteous Muslims, and the Twelve Imams are particularly respected because of their relationship to Ali and his wife Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad.
567736
Shia. While almost all of Egypt's Muslims are Sunni, there are a small number of Shia. (Estimates of their number range from 800,000 to "at most" three million.) The Syrian civil war has brought on an increase in anti-Shia rhetoric by Sunnis, harassment and arrest, and in at least one case bloodshed.
1036509
The concept of the Mahdi is a central tenet of Shi'a theology, but many Sunni Muslims also believe in the coming of a Mahdi, or rightly guided one, at the end of time to spread justice and peace. He will also be called Muhammad and be a descendant of the Prophet in the line of his daughter Fatima (Ali's wife).
533480
Pashtun are generally Hanafi Sunni Muslims, but some are Shia. The two major Shia communities in Afghanistan are the Ithna Ashariya or Twelvers, also called Imami, and the Ismaili, sometimes called the Seveners.
855791
The majority of Indian Muslims (over 85%) belong to the Sunni branch of Islam while a substantial minority (over 13%) belong to the Shia branch. There are also tiny minorities of Ahmadiyya and Quranists across the country.
1079127
However the more common opinion among Sunni Muslims is, that the Mahdi is an expected ruler sent by God before the endtime to reestablish righteousness, coincides with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Isa), but, unlike most Shia traditions, Sunni Islam often do not believe the Mahdi has already been born.
399976
Shia. While almost all of Egypt's Muslims are Sunni, there are a small number of Shia. (Estimates of their number range from 800,000 to "at most" three million.)
975815
History of Shia Islam. Shi'a Islam, also known as Shi'ite Islam or Shi'ism, is the second largest branch of Islam after Sunni Islam. Shias adhere to the teachings of Muhammad and the religious guidance of his family (who are referred to as the Ahl al-Bayt) or his descendants known as Shia Imams.
759351
Sunnis are traditionalists who believe that they are following the beliefs and customs passed through generations . But mujahid factions claim themselves as reformers and alleges there are innovations in Sunni beliefs and Customs.
1311833
A major difference between these two sects of Islam is their opinion on guidance by an Imam. Whereas Deobandis are Hanafis and follow Imam Abu Hanifa, Wahhabis are ghair muqallid, which means that they do not follow any imam for jurisprudence. ... The founder of Wahhabism was Abdul Wahab in Saudi Arabia.
1284651
Bohra are Shias and Sunnis are Sunnis! Bohras believe that Ali the son-in-law and cousin of the prophet of Islam is the immediate successor of the prophet while Sunnis believe that Abubakr the father-in-law of the prophet is the first Caliph. ... Most Bohras follow Mr. Mufaddal who is the present Da'ee-e-Mutlaq.
991917
There are two main branches of Islam - Sunni and Shi'a . Sunni is the largest branch of Islam. Shi'a is the second largest branch. Sunni and Shi'a Muslims agree on the basic principles of Islam, such as believing in one God and the importance of the prophets.
343138
The Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, generally known as the Ismailis, belong to the Shia branch of Islam. The Shia form one of the two major interpretations of Islam, the Sunni being the other. ... The Ismailis are thus a transnational community who are responsible citizens of the countries where they live.