Muslim world, since the days of the early history of Islam, religious split into two areas - it is Sunnis and Shiites.In the VII century, immediately after the death of the great Muhammad, the island became a question of who will lead the Muslims and the Arab Caliphate.Some of them (the Sunnis) to support each Mohammed and his father's wife Aisha - Abu Bakr.Other (Shiites) have argued that a successor can only be a blood relative of the Prophet.They said that before the death of Mohammed appointed heir of his cousin and son in law Ali loved.So for the first time there was a division of Islam.In the end, defeated supporters of Abu Bakr.Although for a while Ali was given the title of the fourth caliph and even the rights of the Arab Caliphate.
a while Sunnis and Shiites maintained neutral relations.However, in 680, the split among the Muslims deepened.The fact is that in Karbala (in modern-day Iraq), was found dead the son of Ali Hussein.The murderer was the soldiers of the ruling caliph, who was then the representative of the Sunnis.Then gradually monopolized the political power of the Sunni rulers.Shiites had to live in the shadows and be guided by the Imams, the first 12 of which were the direct descendants of Ali.Today, the Sunnis - is the dominant branch of government.They make up the majority of Muslims.Shiites - a minority (10%).Their religious trend prevalent in the Arab world (except North Africa), Iran (where their center), Azerbaijan, somewhere in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India and Pakistan.
So, what is the difference Sunnis from the Shiites?Both religious branch originated from the Prophet Muhammad.Over time, however, due to the division of religious beliefs are becoming more and more differences.Today, Sunnis and Shiites believe in one god Allah and the Prophet Muhammad considered him a messenger on Earth.They revered and unquestioningly fulfill the five pillars (the ritual tradition of Islam), read the prayer five times daily, fasting during Ramadan, and recognize the only scripture Quran.
Shiites also revere the Koran and the Great Prophet.However, not without controversy.Their priests are able to interpret the actions and sayings of Muhammad.Also, Shiites believe that their imams - the representatives of God on earth, the last of the twelfth Imam is currently "hidden from everyone," but someday he will come to fulfill the divine will.The main difference between the Sunnis from the Shiites that they, in addition to the Holy Quran, even implicitly guided by the Sunnah, the teachings of the Prophet.This set of rules that made Muhammad, based on his life.They interpret them literally.Sometimes it takes extreme forms.For example, in Afghanistan, the Taliban paid attention even to the size of men's beards, because everything had to comply with the Sunnah.Most Sunnis consider the Shiites, "the worst of people," heretics, "infidels."They believe that the killing of Shia - this is the way to heaven.
Sunnis and Shiites is not just shed the blood of each other.The longest conflict of the Muslim world is not so much at enmity between Israel and the Arabs, or between Muslims and the West, but in the long-term internal divisions of Islam.
