WikiIslam:Sandbox/Diversity in Islam

All Muslims believe that Muhammad was a prophet of Allah, and that the Quran is from Allah and not from Muhammad, even though Muslims directly received the Quran from Muhammad and they never seen Allah. But they have different opinions on the interpretation of the Quran, the authenticity of other Islamic sources like hadiths and on Muhammad's companions and family. This article looks at all the different branches of Islam and their views.

Branches

Basic information about the groups:

Sunni

Sunnis form the majority of Muslims. They believe that the successor after Muhammad should have been Abu Bakr. According to sunnis, the most authentic Islamic sources after the Quran are collections of hadiths Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, which along with other four compilations form, so called "six authentic books" (kutub al-sittah). The word sunni (سُنِّي) is derived from the word sunnah (سُنَّة), which is, in the context of Islam, the way of Muhammad's life. Sunni Islam is further divided into different madhabs (schools of thought), which have slightly different opinions on how to derive laws from the Quran and sunnah (how to do fiqh).

Shia

Shias believe that the successor after Muhammad should have been Ali. However the first appointed caliph for the Muslim community was Abu Bakr (as the sunnis wanted) and Ali was eventually the 4th. Shias reject the first three caliphs and consider Ali to be the first one. For that reason they are in a conflict with sunnis. Shias form about 10% of Muslim population.

Sufi

Sufis are not really a different group from sunnis and shias. A sufi Muslim can be a sunni or shia. Sufis just add some mystical practices, like dancing or singing to "get closer to god". Sufism itself is not concerned with the Islamic sharia law, but it coexists with it and sufis fully respect the sharia. Sufis have a conflict with salafis, who reject music.

Ibadi

Ibadis are not sunnis nor shias. They opposed the third caliph.

Ahmadiyya

Ahmadiyyas accepted another prophet after Muhammad, called Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Because of that they are often considered to be non-Muslims by Muslims, because the vast majority of Muslims believe Muhamad was the last prophet.

"Non-muslims"

There are also other religions which kind of respect Muhammad as a prophet, but their followers don't call themselves Muslims. Among them is the sikh and baha'i faith.

Views

Punishments (hudud)

Pedophilia

Views on other religions

Women

Other teachings

Conclusion

Islam may be divided into dozens of sects, sub-sects, or movements and it may overlap with many languages, races, castes etc. But when it comes to the most disturbing beliefs and practices, Muslims show a incredible similarity. This is clear from the above tables.

References