BRANCHES OF ISLAM

1
BRANCHES OF ISLAM

• The Most Important Schism

2
Disputed Leadership

• On the death of Muhammad, the Prophet,
• two followerships developed
• I. Sunnis followers of Abu Bakr, Muhammads
  father-in-law 800 million
• II. Shiites followers of Ali, Muhammads
  son-in-law 100 million

3
SUNNIS

• Called Sunni because they accept the sunnas,
  the oral traditions and interpretations of the
  Koran after Muhammads death
• Usually more liberal than Shiites
• Believe the caliph (successor of Muhammad)
  should always be elected, not hereditary
• Believe in Predestination

4
SHIITE

• Partisans More orthodox and militant than
  Sunnis
• Mainly in Iran, Iraq, and Palestine
• Created the office of Imam leader or
  guide
• Twelve Imams succeeded Ali (last one went into
  hiding in 940 will reemerge to rule the world
  as Mahdi Messiah)

5
Shiite Ayatollahs

• The present Ayatollahs (signs of God) see
  themselves as joint caretakers of the office of
  the Imam until he returns at the end of time

6
Wahhabi - I

• Small group founded by al-Wahhab in 18th century
• Primary force in creation of Saudi Arabia in
  1932
• The Puritans of the Muslims literal
  interpreters of the Koran
• Mecca Medina, cities of pilgrimage, are both
  located in Saudi Arabia

7
Wahhabi - II

• Consider visits to graves of the saints is
  polytheism
• Are against observance of the Birth of the
  Prophet
• Discourage such Western innovations as cinema and
  dancing

8
Kharijites

• The early seceders of Islam
• First major sect that appeared in Islam
• Broke off when Ali submitted a conflict between
  himself and Muawiyah to arbitration fought
  Ali, seized Egypt for himself, became fifth
  caliph after Ali was assassinated - descendents
  established as the Umayyad dynasty
• Dogmatic and fanatical sect