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Caliphs And Sunnis: Rivalry In Muslim Society

472 Words2 Pages

For 1400 years, a rivalry has erupted in Islamic society between the separated Sunnis and Shiites. This conflict is still causing mass chaos in modern society. This autopsy emerged when the prophet Muhammad passed away without naming a direct successor or giving instructions to elect one. Muhammad's death resulted in two groups of Muslims each with their own unique belief on who should be the rightful successor. This shows how one event in Islam's history could impact it so dramatically in the future.
The Sunnis, or the “followers of the Sunna” believe that Muhammad’s rightful successor should be elected by the citizens and would be given the title of Caliph. The Sunnis think that Caliphs should be chosen by Muslim families since they reinforce Muhammad’s teaching that every Muslim has a direct relationship with Allah. This is proven when http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sunnisshiites.html states “Sunnis believe that the position of Caliph should be a position to which one is elected by the religious leaders of the Islamic community, and not dependent on direct lineage from Mohammed.” This means there is no need for a spiritual leader in the Muslim community since technically “everyone is their own religious leader.” Because of this, early Caliphs are only political leaders of their province. …show more content…

However, unlike the Sunnis, the ruler would be given the title “Imam” which means divinely guided successor of Muhammad. This claim can be backed up since http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sunnisshiites.html declares that “They consider certain direct descendants of Ali - the Imams - infallible and the true inheritors of Mohammed.” This quote illustrates that the Shiites strictly enforce a leader from a direct lineage of Muhammad. Unlike the Sunnis, the Shiites give their Imams full power, both spiritually and politically which gives more ability toward the

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