Sunni/Shi’a Split

• Denomination


  A separate branch/group of a common faith. Within Islam there is both Sunni and Shi'a groups.
• Caliph


  A title given to the leader of an Islamic state. An Islamic state is a country founded on the teachings of Islam.
• If you should not find me, go to Abu Bakr

  Will you not be pleased that you will be to me like Aaron to Moses? But there will be no prophet after me.
• Caliphs


  • 1st - Abu Bakr (Sunni)
  • 2nd - Umar (Sunni)
  • 3rd - Uthman (Sunni)
  • 4th - Ali (Shi'a)
  • 5th - Hasan (Shi'a)
• Sunni caliphs


  Rule politically but not spiritually
• Shi'a imams


  Rule spiritually
• Similarities between Sunni and Shi'a Islam

  • Shahadah
  • Five pillars
  • Prayer
  • Festivals
• Beliefs shared by Sunni and Shi'a Muslims

  • Believe in the one God, Allah
  • Believe Muhammad was the final prophet
  • Must follow the five pillars
• Beliefs unique to Shi'a Muslims


  • Have additional acts alongside the pillars
  • Believe the Qur'an is the perfect word of Allah
  • Add 'and Ali is the friend of Allah' to the Shahadah
  • Mourn yearly on the day when Muhammad's grandson Hussein died
• Central beliefs within the Sunni denomination

  • Six articles of faith
• Central beliefs within the Shi'a denomination

  • Five roots (Usul ad-Din)
• The six articles of faith and five roots (Usul ad-Din) are the most important beliefs within their respective denominations
• The six articles of faith are: 1. Tawhid, 2. Angels, 3. Holy books, 4. Prophets, 5. Day of judgement, 6. Predestination/Al-Qadr
• The five roots (Usul ad-Din) are: 1. Tawhid, 2. Prophets, 3. Divine justice (adalat), 4. Imamate, 5. Day of resurrection
• Explain two of the six articles of faith

  1. State the names of two articles of faith

  2. Explain what they are and their importance

  3. Aim for around 4 sentences