similarities & differences!

• What do both Sunni & Shia Muslims believe regarding the Qur'an?

  They are Allah's words
• What are some things that both Sunni & Shia Muslims believe/do?

  • same Prophet (PBUH)
  • eat halal
  • give to charity
  • fast during Ramadan
  • pray
• How does Sunni & Shia prayer differ?

  Sunni Muslims pray 5 times a day. Shia Muslims acknowledge 5 daily prayers, however, they are allowed to pray them in THREE distinct TIMES, not five.
• What do Sunni & Shia Muslims pray on?

  Sunni = prayer mat

  Shia = small tablet of clay from a holy place, often Karbala.
• What do Sunni Muslims call a mosque?

  Masjid
• What do Shia Muslims call a mosque?

  Imam-Bara
• When do Sunni Muslims break their fast?

  Sunset
• When do Shia Muslims break their fast?

  after sunset
• What is the declaration of faith for Sunni Muslims?

  "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet".
• What is the declaration of faith for Shia Muslims?

  "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his Prophet and Ali is his friend".
• What do Shia Muslims traditionally practice to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussain?

  self-flagellation
• What is self-flagellation?

  Self-harm for religious purposes.
• Who were Hassan & Hussain to the Prophet?

  Grandsons of the Prophet (PBUH).
• What are Shia leaders called?

  Imams/Ayatollahs
• Which hadith do Shia Muslims say are the most important ones?

  from the Prophet's family & close connections.
• Which hadith do Sunni Muslims say are the most important ones?

  they consider all hadiths and Sunnah narrated by any of 12 thousand companions to be equally important, as long as they are verified.
• What is a Sunni?

  one who follows the sunnah & believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr.
• What is a Shia?

  one who believes in the successorship of Ali & the Imamate.
• What do Shi'as believe regarding the successorship of Ali?

  They believed that the prophet chose Ali himself. The Shi'a Muslims say that Muhammad (PBUH) stood up in front of his friends on the way back from his last Hajj, and announced Ali as the spiritual guide & master of all believers.
• Why was the Prophet's wife unhappy about the successorship of Ali?

  She blamed Ali's followers for the murder of the third caliph, Uthman.
• Who was Hussein?

  Ali's son & the Prophet's grandson.
• Where was Hussein invited?

  By the people of Kufa, Iraq to become their leader.
• Who was Hussein met with before he could reach Kufa, Iraq?

  Yazid's forces.
• Who was Yazid?

  corrupt 6th caliph
• What happened to Hussein after he was met with Yazid's forces?

  Hussein & his small number of companions refused to follow Yazid & were killed in a battle.
• What is the battle where Hussein in died known as?

  Battle Of Karbala
• Which day marks the remembrance of the Battle Of Karbala in Shi'a Islam?

  the day of Ashura.