sunni & shia islam!

• What do Sunnis believe?

  they believe in the sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) & also in the traditional Arab successorship of the companions of the Prophet (SAW).
• What do Shias believe in?

  they believe in the successorship of Ali and the imamate.
• Regarding the Sunni belief, who are the 4 khalifahs (caliphs)?

  1st Caliph of Islam: Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

  2nd Caliph of Islam: Umar Ibn Khattab

  3rd Caliph of Islam: Uthman Ibn Affan

  4th Caliph of Islam: Ali Ibn Abi Talib
• What do Shias believe should have happened after the demise of the Prophet (PBUH)?

  -Ali Ibn Talib (4th Caliph) being the successor after the Prophet.

  -The 12 spiritually guided Imams.
• What is 'Imamate'?

  Imamate is a Shi’a belief that 12 imams should be spiritual descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• Why do Shia Muslims believe the Imams are necessary?

  As people need guidance on how to live correctly.
• What do Shia Muslims believe about the 12 Imams?

  That due to their close relationship with Allah, the 12 Imams are highly respected and are infallible.
• What does 'infallible' mean?

  Incapable of making mistakes/sins.
• What are the five roots in Shia Islam known as?

  The Five Roots are known as Usul al-Din.
• How many articles of faith are there for Sunni Islam?

  Six
• What does the five roots of Usul-Ad-Din include?

  Tawhid, Adalah, Nubuwwah, Imamah & Mi'ad
• What is 'Nubuwwah'?

  Prophethood
• What is 'Adl'?

  The Divine Justice
• What is Imamah?

  The authority of the 12 Imams.
• What is 'Miad'?

  The Day Of Resurrection.
• What are the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam?

  Tawhid

  Malaikhah

  Kutub

  Nubuwwah

  Akhirah

  Al-Qadr
• What is 'Malaikah'?

  Belief in Angels.
• What is 'Kutub'?

  Belief in the holy books.
• What is 'Akhirah'?

  Afterlife & Day of Resurrection/Judgement.
• What is 'Al-Qadr'?

  Belief in predestination.
• What is the concept of a 'Mahdi'?

  the coming of the rightly guided one at the end of time to spread justice & peace.
• What will the 'Mahdi' be called?

  Muhammed & be a descendant of the Prophet.
• What do Shi'a Muslims believe the 12th imam was?

  Muhammad al-Muntazar al-Mahdi, who was hidden in a cave by his father due to persecution.
• What do Sunnis call Shi'as sometimes due to tension?

  Rafidi - "rejecter"
• What do Shia's call Sunnis sometimes due to tension?

  Wahabi - term of abuse for all those who disagree with Shi'a beliefs & practices.