Differences between Sunni and Shi'a

• What does Islam mean?

  Submission to God
• Who is considered the messenger of Allah?

  Prophet Muhammad
• What did Muhammad receive from Allah?

  The Qur'an
• What are the two main denominations in Islam?

  • Sunni
  • Shi'a
• What do Sunni Muslims believe regarding leadership after Muhammad?

  Successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali
• What do Shi'a Muslims believe about leadership after Muhammad?

  Leadership of Ali and his descendants
• Why did the divide between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims occur?

  Disagreement over rightful successor to Muhammad
• What do Sunni and Shi'a Muslims agree on?

  Belief in one God and importance of prophets
• What is the holy book shared by all Muslims?

  The Qur'an
• What does the term 'Caliph' mean?

  Deputy to God’s Prophet
• What does the term 'Shi'a' mean?

  Party of Ali
• Who did many Muslims believe should be the first Caliph?

  Abu Bakr
• How do the beliefs of Sunni and Shi'a Muslims differ?

  In their views on leadership after Muhammad