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About Islam and Muslims Two Branches of Islam |
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The Two Major Branches of Islam
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The two principle branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia. Similar to the various positions that Methodists, Baptists, Protestants and Catholics hold within Christianity, Shia and Sunni Muslims share common ground, but differ on some key points of interpretation.
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The core difference between the Sunni and Shia dates to the beginning of Islam, when a dispute over succession to the Prophet Muhammad split the religion into two sects. Following the death of Muhammad in 632, one part of the community, which later became known as Sunni, gathered and chose a trusted leader who became known as a Caliph. Another group, which became known as Shia, believed that the Prophet’s descendants, his bloodline, provided the true leaders of Islam. Over time Sunnis won control of the political institutions in Arabia and, to this day, hold greater economic and political power around the world.
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Today, the majority of Muslims worldwide, approximately 85 percent, identify as Sunni. Both Sunni and Shia Muslims follow the Qur'an and also the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, or Hadith. Over time, they have developed different interpretations of the Hadith.
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Despite historic, political and religious differences, Shia and Sunni Muslims have shared core beliefs in the unity of God, in Muhammad's Prophethod, and in the five pillars of Islam as their guiding principles.
For more information about the branches of Islam, please explore our “Learn More” pages, including Recommended Reading and Multimedia Resources.
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