-Wednesday January 30th, 2008-
My name is J. Camilo and i work as an Anthropologist. My research topic in this ocassion is the cultures of Sunnis and Shiites. I will do research on this topic for the following month, starting February the 1st where i will be living in Iraq where i can get up close and personal with the Islamic culture. I will travel to places where Sunnis and Shiites habitate. I'll examine, analyze, report on, and compare their cultures and how they grow, develop, and interact.
For information about Sunnis and Shiites go to:
http://comparisonofsunnishiitepractices.blogspot.com/
domingo, 2 de marzo de 2008
jueves, 28 de febrero de 2008
About Sunnis and Shiites
Around 680 AD, Islam separated into two branches, the Sunnis and the Shiites. Although the two parties agree on the basic tenets, they have developed their own way of thinking and living.
Introduction to Sunni
The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."
The Sunni group shares the belief that the new leader should be elected among those capable of performing the job. This is what was done. Abu Bakr, a close friend and advisor of the prophet became the first caliph of Islam.
Sunnis believe there is not basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders such as the imams, and for sure no basis for the intervention of saints. (About, Islam)
They believe that the first four caliphs rightfully took the prophets place as the leaders of all Muslims. The heirs of the caliphs are also recognized as religions leaders. "These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War."(HNN staff)
Introduction to Shi'ite
The word "Shiite" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people.
Shiites share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically chosen by him, or among Imams chosen by God Himself. Imam is the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief who has blood relations to the prophet.
“Shiites believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God.” (About, Islam) Shiites often adore the Imams as saints and they do pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in order to achieve hope for some divine intervention.
"Shiites believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed."(HNN staff)
Comparison & Differences
Both Sunnis and Shiites share the basic Islamic beliefs and the most fundamental articles of faith. But throughout Islamic history there has been persecutions and repression between the two.
Theologically, conflicts also spawn from how the Islamic world should interpret Hadith literature (Narrated traditions about the Prophet's life and spiritual practice.). The Shiites incline to Hadith literature as narrated by Ali and Fatima and their close companions. On the other hand the Sunnis believe the Hadith to be narrated by any of twelve thousand companions equal. In the end this led to a different understanding about Islam. It gave rise to difference in religious practices, which include: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.
Concerning which scholar Muslims should follow there has also been differences between the two groups. The Sunnis incline to follow the opinion of the 1st and 2nd century scholars Shaafii, Maliki, Hanbali, and Hanafi. However the Shiites believe that only a living scholar should be pursued.
Practices
Since the two groups started out, there was also a difference in how many times Muslims should pray. Sunnis pray five times a day, everyday. On the contrary, Shiite Muslims mix prayers throughout to pray a total of three times a day.
When it comes to marriage, temporary marriage or Muttah marriage is permitted in Shiite Islam. Sunnis reason it forbidden as they believe the Prophet Mohammed abolished it.
Similarities
Although there are differences between Sunnis and Shiites, the two share common traditions, beliefs, and doctrines.
All Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of Allah. All believe that they must go by the revelations given to the Prophet by Allah (as said in the Quran) and by the Hadith.
The concepts of piety (reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations), striving for goodness, and social justice are fundamental to Islamic belief and practice.
Additionally, all Muslims are expected to live in accordance to the five pillars of their faith:
1)Shahada - recital of the creed “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet”
2)Salat - five obligatory prayers in a day
3)Zakat - giving alms to the poor
4)Sawm - fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan
5)Hajj - making a pilgrimage to Mecca once during a lifetime if one is physically and financially able.
It’s important to remember that most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims." The majority of Sunni and Shiite do not let their differences allow them to cast each other out of Islam.
Introduction to Sunni
The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."
The Sunni group shares the belief that the new leader should be elected among those capable of performing the job. This is what was done. Abu Bakr, a close friend and advisor of the prophet became the first caliph of Islam.
Sunnis believe there is not basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders such as the imams, and for sure no basis for the intervention of saints. (About, Islam)
They believe that the first four caliphs rightfully took the prophets place as the leaders of all Muslims. The heirs of the caliphs are also recognized as religions leaders. "These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War."(HNN staff)
Introduction to Shi'ite
The word "Shiite" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people.
Shiites share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically chosen by him, or among Imams chosen by God Himself. Imam is the title for a Muslim religious leader or chief who has blood relations to the prophet.
“Shiites believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God.” (About, Islam) Shiites often adore the Imams as saints and they do pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in order to achieve hope for some divine intervention.
"Shiites believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed."(HNN staff)
Comparison & Differences
Both Sunnis and Shiites share the basic Islamic beliefs and the most fundamental articles of faith. But throughout Islamic history there has been persecutions and repression between the two.
Theologically, conflicts also spawn from how the Islamic world should interpret Hadith literature (Narrated traditions about the Prophet's life and spiritual practice.). The Shiites incline to Hadith literature as narrated by Ali and Fatima and their close companions. On the other hand the Sunnis believe the Hadith to be narrated by any of twelve thousand companions equal. In the end this led to a different understanding about Islam. It gave rise to difference in religious practices, which include: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.
Concerning which scholar Muslims should follow there has also been differences between the two groups. The Sunnis incline to follow the opinion of the 1st and 2nd century scholars Shaafii, Maliki, Hanbali, and Hanafi. However the Shiites believe that only a living scholar should be pursued.
Practices
Since the two groups started out, there was also a difference in how many times Muslims should pray. Sunnis pray five times a day, everyday. On the contrary, Shiite Muslims mix prayers throughout to pray a total of three times a day.
When it comes to marriage, temporary marriage or Muttah marriage is permitted in Shiite Islam. Sunnis reason it forbidden as they believe the Prophet Mohammed abolished it.
Similarities
Although there are differences between Sunnis and Shiites, the two share common traditions, beliefs, and doctrines.
All Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of Allah. All believe that they must go by the revelations given to the Prophet by Allah (as said in the Quran) and by the Hadith.
The concepts of piety (reverence for God or devout fulfillment of religious obligations), striving for goodness, and social justice are fundamental to Islamic belief and practice.
Additionally, all Muslims are expected to live in accordance to the five pillars of their faith:
1)Shahada - recital of the creed “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet”
2)Salat - five obligatory prayers in a day
3)Zakat - giving alms to the poor
4)Sawm - fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan
5)Hajj - making a pilgrimage to Mecca once during a lifetime if one is physically and financially able.
It’s important to remember that most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims." The majority of Sunni and Shiite do not let their differences allow them to cast each other out of Islam.
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