Difference Between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims

Just like Christianity, Islam is divided into two large groups based on different beliefs and traditions Shia and Sunni. One major difference they have or the main dividing factor as some would it is the succession to their prophet, Muhammad. The dominant sect, the Sunnis, conceptualise in the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs with Abu Bakr being the first dapple Shias maintain it was Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammads cousin and son-in-law, who was the first caliph. 1 The structure of the Shia and Sunni Muslims religious leadership also vary.One follows strict religious hierarchy and requires each one to pay two religious taxes called Khum and Zakat patch the latter are only to pay Zakat and has no hierarchy in the clergy. 2 Another distinction would be each sects preference for books with Sunni Muslims favouring any Sunnah or Hadith literature narrated any of the cardinal thousand pilgrims. On the contrary, Shia Muslims only accept these works under variable measures and only under clos e scrutiny. Ultimately, these and other differences led to varying sagacity of the laws and practices of Islam. 3 Whats the Difference Shia vs. Sunni, last modified March 13, 2007, http//www. neatorama. com/2007/03/13/whats-the-difference-shia-vs-sunni/. 2 Sunni and Shia, last modified August 19, 2009, http//www. bbc. co. uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1. shtmlh4. 3 Sunni and Shia, last modified August 19, 2009, http//www. bbc. co. uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1. shtmlh4. http//www. neatorama. com/2007/03/13/whats-the-difference-shia-vs-sunni/ http//www. bbc. co. uk/religion/religions/islam/subdivisions/sunnishia_1. shtmlh4