Shiites and Sunnis: What's the Difference?

Iran is a religiously conservative country. Religion is a fundamental basis for policy and leadership in this nation that is predominantly Muslim. Religious clergy has contributed to the economic, civil, and political advancement of Iran. There are two branches of Islam, namely Sunnis and Shiites. The emergence of these two branches comes from the different believes each sect considers in the succession of the prophet. The Shiites believe that the replacement has to be from Muhammad’s lineage while the Sunnis believe in leadership from a devoted believer of the Quran. Other differences are on the beliefs on temporary marriage, self- flagellation, and laws they follow. Besides these differences, both divisions believe in the similar fundamentals of Islam. 

Effects of government by clerics in the Iranian Society 

The country of Iran is known to have Shiism as its state ideology. Through the revolution, it welcomed a new era of the Twelver Shi’ism when Ayatollah Khomeini took control over Iran. It was after replacing the monarchy with a theocracy system. A body of Shiite scholars sustains the new system. Stern interpretation of Shiite Sharia laws governs the country, which everyone has to follow. The religious scholars hold both religious and political powers. Their obedience is equated to that of God. The Twelver clergy is bestowed legislative, judicial and executive powers, thus responsible for making laws, judgment and execution of authority in Iran (Hillenbrand, 2015). As a result, all women were required to wear the hijab regardless of their age. Taking advantage of the Internet era, there had been propaganda on legal views being spread. Khomeini later discouraged the public display of devotion and emotion, believing that the crucial matter was following Islamic law. 

Sources of authority in Shiite communities 

The Shiites derive authority from the Imam. This is a charismatic authority entrusted to the descendants of the prophet through the imams. They possess power over the community and are solely responsible for the doctrine and laws of society(Newman, 2013). As Shiites argue, Ali was the first to accept Islam, so he possesses fundamental knowledge and practices. He was courageous and had military abilities. His military prowess is observed when he single-handedly killed a third of the enemies at the battle of Badr. He is acknowledged to have defended his mentor Muhammad in the Uhud and Hunayn battles. Ali’s skills in battle are evident when he used an iron door as a shield in combat. He is perceived to have special aptitudes hence his charisma. Consequently he was a leader in crucial missions delegated by Muhammad. The succession to lead Islam is linked to the symbolism of being asked to stand by Muhammad’s side at the pulpit during the farewell pilgrimage at Mecca. By this Muhammad confirmed Ali to be the guardian after him. Ali was the exquisitely guided, pure and given authority over Islam, so the Shiites show their adoration to him at hajj (Newman, 2013). The Shiites also believe in Najaf to be the third holiest city because Ali was buried there. His tomb is crowned with a golden dome to show authority. They, then, observe anniversaries of his death and birth as a show of respect. In a demonstration of veneration to Muhammad, they believe that his knowledge and spirit is passed to his descendants. That’s why the Shiite mosques refer to them in a call to prayer. 

Differences between the Shiites and Sunni 

The Sunni and Shiites differ on the laws they prescribe to. The Shiites collected the prophet’s hadith in making their laws, which is more comprehensive than the one Sunnis use (Newman, 2013). They also differ in the consensus of the community where the Sunni reject this analogy. The Shiites believe that the Imams are the custodians of the law and have the power to determine what is legal and illegal. Accordingly the Ismaili cluster of Shiites who have living imams believe that their decisions are significant in interpreting the law from one generation to the other. The other group that follows the twelve, which do not have living imams give the authority of law interpretation to the religious class. High-level legal scholars command the religious class. The sixth Imam in the Shiite’s course forms the twelve laws basing on his sayings and judgments. It is known as Ja’fari being named after him. The Sunni law book is separated into two sections. On section deals with personal and religious obligations towards God while the other is the individual connections with the society. 

Shiites believe in Ali as their first leader who they consider to be an imam. The leader is from the bloodline of the prophet Muhammad. In this branch of Islam, the Imam chooses a successor, and it is supposed that he passes a sacred knowledge to the impending leader (Newman, 2013). The Imam serves as both a political and spiritual leader. They believe that when imams descend from Ali’s religious leaders, they acquire the right to interpret religious, mystical, and legal knowledge to the community. Additionally, they believe in the twelve Shiism who were the twelve imams believed to be flawless and divine since birth. The imams are descendants of Ali and are bestowed piety and given authority to interpret law and theology. 

The Shiite has a festival termed Ashura. The festival is held at the ninth and tenth days of the Muharram to mourn the death of Husayn, who was Muhammad’s grandson (Newman, 2013). It involves the reenacting the sufferings at the battle of Karbala where Husayn died. The followers recite elegies in his commemoration. The storytelling of his martyrdom is narrated by professional while dressed in white and green. They additionally have a passion play referred to as Taziya where villains wear red and are authoritative. The hero’s in the play dress in white and greed speaking poetry. The participants weep and beg for water to symbolize Husayn’s thirst. Additionally, they beat their faces, heads, and bodies with knives and swords. The flowing of blood symbolizes their love for the Imam Husayn. These performances occur in Iran, India, and Iraq. The remembrance of Husayn is also portrayed in the rouzehs festival where the attendees sing about his death and life. The process is crucial for the Twelver Shiites, but the Sunnis differ. The women do not actively participate in flagellation, but they watch the process profoundly. The practice is carried consistently out every year as the death of Husayn is seen as a sacrifice to the whole community. In recent years the process has been used in Iran to mobilize people against oppressor regimes. 

In conclusion, religion is a significant factor in Iran, which cannot be ignored. Moreover, Modernism has influence religious philosophies, therefore, creating room for modern thinkers to revolutionize how religion can play a part in the contemporary world. Islam, which is divided into Shiites and Sunnis, has various sects following different doctrines. Besides they are unified by similar guideline such as fasting, observing hajj and making donations to the poor. Additionally, they all recite faith and follow the five compulsory prayers a day. It is essential to note that the Shiites believe in having Imams who are descendants of Prophet Muhammad. The differences do not hinder them from practicing their faith. Subsequently, the Shiites practice self-flagellation, which is not a matter of consideration for the Sunnis. The Sunnis consider it an act of sin. Another difference is the belief in temporary marriage by the Shiites. The Sunnis believe that brief marriage is adultery. These differences can be used to classify if one is a Sunni or a Shiite. 

Reference 

Hillenbrand, C. (2015).  Introduction to Islam: Beliefs and Practices in Historical Perspective . Thames & Hudson. 

Newman, A. J. (2013).  Twelver Shiism: Unity and Diversity in the life of Islam, 632 to 1722 . Edinburgh University Press.