This “CRS Report for Congress” was prepared by the Congressional Research Service by Febe Armanios, Analyst in Middle East Religions and Cultures, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division. The report provides insight into the difference between the Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam.The difference in the two sects originated solely from the difference of opinion regarding the succession of leadership of the Muslims following Muhammad’s death in 632 A.D. Sunnis believe that leadership of the Muslim people fell to individuals who would follow the customs of Muhammad while Shiites believe the successor to Muhammad must be someone in his bloodline (i.e., a direct descendent). When Muhammad died he neglected to make it clear who his successor would be. Two men claimed the position: Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin; and Abu Bakr, a close companion of Muhammad selected by community leaders. Ali lacked seniority within the Muslim’s tribal system and leadership consequently fell to Abu Bakr. He became the first caliph (Arabic for “successor).Ali’s followers (Shiites) considered Abu Bakr illegitimate along with the second and third caliphs that followed (Umar and Uthman). They murdered Uthman in 656 A.D. and Ali was named caliph. Those who supported Ali became known as Shi’a, meaning helpers of Ail; and known today as Shiites. Followers of the customs of Muhammad (sunna), became the Sunni, constituting the majority of Muslims. The caliphate declined after the 13th century and was abolished altogether in 1924 by Turkey’s first President, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.In 661 A.D., Ali was assassinated and his sons (Hassan and Hussein) subsequently died in battle against the Sunni caliph. Shiite religious practice focuses on remembrance of Hussein. His death is commemorated each year on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram with the ritual of Ashura, marked by some Shiites performing self-flagellation. Shiites believe that 12 imams (community leaders with a blood relationship to Ali) descended from Ali. The 12th imam disappeared in the ninth century. It is believed that this 12th imam will return some day. During the twentieth century, Muslim groups in Lebanon and Iran called Twelvers became activists toward this end. After the last imam that was descended from Ali passed off the scene, religious leaders known as mujtahids became the leaders of the Shiite communities. The most learned of these are known as ayatollahs.The majority of Muslims is Sunnis and today accepts the first four caliphs, including Ali. However, they do not accept the subsequent Shiite imams as revered leaders. Sunni Islam tends to be more flexible than Shiite Islam. But both groups share the same basic core Islamic beliefs and do not separate civil and religious law. The basis sources of their law is the Quran and the sunna (customs of Muhammad) as given in the hadiths (sayings of Muhammad and his companions). Muslim religions leaders interpret Islamic law ( sharia) although none of the law is codified in either Shiite or Sunni Islam. Shiite
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