What Are The Different Sects Of Islam?

There are several sects in Islam, each of which has its own view of Islamic doctrine and ritual. There are several smaller sects of Islam in addition to the two major sects, Sunni and Shia.

Sunni sect Islam is the largest sect of Islam and comprises around 85-90% of Muslims worldwide. Sunni Muslims believe that the first four caliphs, starting with Abu Bakr, were the rightful leaders of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They follow the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), as well as the consensus of the community (ijma) and analogical reasoning (qiyas).

The Shia sect is the second-largest sect of Islam and comprises around 10-15% of Muslims worldwide. Shia Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, Ali (Peace be upon him), was the rightful first caliph and that the leadership of the Muslim community should have remained within the Prophet’s family. They also give special emphasis to the role of Imams as spiritual leaders and interpreters of Islamic law.

Who are the Sunni Muslims?

Sunni Muslims believe in the fundamental teachings of Islam, including the belief in one God (Allah) SWT, and that Muhammad (PBUH) is Allah’s messenger, as well as the importance of the Holy Quran, the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), and the consensus of the community (ijma) and analogical reasoning (qiyas).

• The Sunni tradition greatly emphasizes on the Quran as the ultimate source of guidance on matters of faith and practice.
• Sunni Muslims recognize the first four caliphs – Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, -as the rightful leaders of the Muslim nation after the death of the Prophet Muhammad-.
• Sunni Muslims believe that the caliphs should be chosen through a process of consultation among the Muslim nation.
• Sunni Muslims reject the Shia concept of “The Imamate”, which holds that leadership should remain within the Prophet’s house.

In terms of Islamic law, Sunni Muslims follow 4 schools of jurisprudence\ Fiqh:

• Hanafi
• Maliki
• Shafi’i
• Hanbali
  These schools have different methodologies in interpreting Islamic law, but they all share the same basic principles of the Sunni Muslims.

Sunni Muslims also observe the Five Pillars of Islam according to the Sunnah of the prophet Muhammad, which include:

1. The Declaration of Faith (Shahada)
2. Prayer (Salah)
3. Charity (Zakah)
4. Fasting the month of Ramadan
5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Sunni Muslims believe in the equality of men and women in the sight of God and believe in the contributions of women to society and the family. The Holy Quran teaches that men and women were created from a single soul and that they are equal partners in the pursuit of righteousness and the worship of Allah.

"the noblest of you in the sight of Allāh is the most Righteous"

Surah Al-Hujuratt:13

Overall, Sunni Muslims share a common belief in the fundamental principles of Islam and strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in their daily lives, and this is the perfect sect to follow the religion of Allah.

Who are the Shia Muslims?

Shia Muslims comprise about 10-15% of the world’s Muslim population. Shia Muslims have a distinct set of beliefs, practices, and traditions that differ from those of Sunni Muslims.

One of the main differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims is the belief in the leadership of the Muslim community after the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

• Shia Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad’s cousin Ali, was the rightful first caliph and that the leadership of the Muslim community should have remained within the Prophet’s House, specifically the descendants of Ali and his wife Fatima, who were also the Prophet’s daughter.
• Shia Muslims give special emphasis to the role of Imams as spiritual leaders and interpreters of Islamic law. They believe that the Imams are appointed by God Himself and are infallible in matters of faith.
• Shia Muslims recognize 12 Imams, the first being Ali and the last being Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to be in hiding and will return at the end of time to establish justice and peace on Earth.
• Shia Muslims believe in the same basic principles as Sunni Muslims, including the Five Pillars of Islam, but they also have their own distinct practices and traditions, For example:
  1- They observe the Day of Ashura which commemorates the martyrdom of Ali’s son Hussein
  2- They have a special emphasis on mourning and remembrance of the Prophet’s family members and their sufferings.
• Shia Muslims have their own system of jurisprudence, known as (Ja’fari) jurisprudence, which is based on the teachings of the Imams. This jurisprudence emphasizes reason and individual interpretation. Sunni jurisprudence relies more on tradition and consensus.
• Shia Muslims are complex and excessive in their tradition with different cultural expressions and practices depending on the region and the community.
• Shia Muslims share a common belief in the fundamental principles of Islam and strive to follow the teachings of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad, as well as the leadership and guidance of (The Imams), in their lives.
  

What is the Sunni jurisprudence (Fiqh)?

Sunni jurisprudence (Fiqh), is the system of Islamic law developed by Sunni Muslim scholars based on the Quran, the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), the consensus of the community (ijma), and analogical reasoning (qiyas).

Four Major schools of jurisprudence, each named after its founder:

• Hanafi school: Founded by Abu Hanifa. The Hanafi school emphasizes the use of reason and analogical reasoning in legal interpretation and is known for its flexibility in adapting to circumstances and cultural contexts.
• Maliki school: Founded by Malik ibn Anas, The Maliki school emphasizes the use of local customs and practices in legal interpretation and is known for its preservation of the community’s traditions.
• Shafi’i school: Founded by Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi’i, The Shafi’i school emphasizes the use of Hadith in legal interpretation and is known for its strict adherence to the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.
• Hanbali School: Founded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal, this school is prevalent in Saudi Arabia. The Hanbali school emphasizes the use of the Quran and Hadith in legal interpretation and is known for its preservation of the Hadith and Quran.

Conclusion

Islam is a diverse religion with several sects, each having its own unique views on Islamic doctrine and ritual. The two major sects of Islam are Sunni and Shia. Sunni Islam is the largest sect, comprising about 85-90% of Muslims worldwide. Sunni Muslims believe in the leadership of the first four caliphs after the Prophet Muhammad and follow the teachings of the Quran, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the community. They have four major schools of jurisprudence and observe the Five Pillars of Islam.

On the other hand, Shia Islam makes up about 10-15% of Muslims worldwide. Shia Muslims believe that the leadership should have remained within the Prophet’s family and place special emphasis on the role of Imams as spiritual leaders. They recognize 12 Imams and have their own system of jurisprudence. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share fundamental principles of Islam, but they have distinct practices and traditions. Overall, Islam encompasses a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices, allowing individuals to find their spiritual path within the broader framework of the religion. to learn more enroll now in the Islamic studies course and get a free trial with Hamil Al Quran Academy