Sunni, Shi Ite, And Sufi Islam Research Paper
Jennifer Bernich
March 31, 2017
CSRL-2931
Prof. Lane
What are the similarities and differences between Sunni, Shi’ite, and Sufi Islam?
Islam is one of the world’s largest monotheistic religions. It is characterized by a belief in the prophet Muhammad and one God, Allah. Like Christianity and Judaism, the other large world religions, Islam has suffered splintering among the faithful into different branches despite its teachings of inclusiveness. The conflict dates back to the death of the prophet Muhammad. It stems from the argument over who should have been the rightful leader of the Islamic peoples in the wake of his passing. Although they all are adamant in their Islamic faith, ther e is conflict between these groups. These branches …show more content…
Sufi’s practice distinct rituals because they believe these rituals bring them closer to
Allah. Sufi’s disregard worldly possessions and live an austere lifestyle. Sufis belong to smaller brotherhoods that are focused on the saints of Sufism. Sufi’s venerate their saints, pray to them, and make pilgrimages to their gravesites. Other Muslims view this as a form of idolatry.
The three branches of Islam are Sunni, Shi’ite, and Sufi. All three groups are strict adherents to Islam, but have differing beliefs about how the religion should be practiced. Sunni
Islam is the traditional practice as the other two branches came about fo llowing the death of the prophet Muhammad. The biggest conflict came from who should have been the rightful leader after Muhammad’s death. This disagreement led to a splintering of the followers and continues to cause violent conflicts even today. Religion is always changing because it is human nature to change. These changes often lead to different branches or denominations in the religion. This is an aspect that Islam shares with Christianity and Judaism as well. As the population of faithful continues to grow, these large religions will be susceptible to even more changes and divisions.
Works
March 31, 2017
CSRL-2931
Prof. Lane
What are the similarities and differences between Sunni, Shi’ite, and Sufi Islam?
Islam is one of the world’s largest monotheistic religions. It is characterized by a belief in the prophet Muhammad and one God, Allah. Like Christianity and Judaism, the other large world religions, Islam has suffered splintering among the faithful into different branches despite its teachings of inclusiveness. The conflict dates back to the death of the prophet Muhammad. It stems from the argument over who should have been the rightful leader of the Islamic peoples in the wake of his passing. Although they all are adamant in their Islamic faith, ther e is conflict between these groups. These branches …show more content…
Sufi’s practice distinct rituals because they believe these rituals bring them closer to
Allah. Sufi’s disregard worldly possessions and live an austere lifestyle. Sufis belong to smaller brotherhoods that are focused on the saints of Sufism. Sufi’s venerate their saints, pray to them, and make pilgrimages to their gravesites. Other Muslims view this as a form of idolatry.
The three branches of Islam are Sunni, Shi’ite, and Sufi. All three groups are strict adherents to Islam, but have differing beliefs about how the religion should be practiced. Sunni
Islam is the traditional practice as the other two branches came about fo llowing the death of the prophet Muhammad. The biggest conflict came from who should have been the rightful leader after Muhammad’s death. This disagreement led to a splintering of the followers and continues to cause violent conflicts even today. Religion is always changing because it is human nature to change. These changes often lead to different branches or denominations in the religion. This is an aspect that Islam shares with Christianity and Judaism as well. As the population of faithful continues to grow, these large religions will be susceptible to even more changes and divisions.
Works