The succession of Mahomet

Sounds like political divisions as Ali's rivals must have felt cheated of their inheritance

Thanks... what were the differences in character between Ali and the other first 3 caliphs?? Did they have different theological beliefs, or had different opinions on how the Caliphate should be ruled?? Was Ali more pious??

thanks dude... when and how did sunni and shia split into different theological beliefs??

Originally posted by Ollios Originally posted by Baal Melqart As far as theological beliefs, there were no differences. Most differences were political, never religious. I don't agree with you. Even some shia groups (for example Turkish Alevis) don't go mosques and ignore to pray arabic and also one of the other differences is flagellation. It is acceptable between Shia people Originally posted by Alcebiades thanks dude... when and how did sunni and shia split into different theological beliefs?? It is hard to explain. Because I don't know any council in Islam as in Christianity. That's why there is no certain things but I can say this Shia Islam: Battle of Karbala (This war is part of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Fitna - Second Islamic Civil War) Kharijites:Battle of Siffin (This war is part of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fitna - First Islamic Civil War) Main branches are these: Shia, Kharijites and Sunni

I was referring to theological beliefs between Omar, Abu Bakr, Othmane and Ali...

Nowadays it is obvious that theologically differences between Sunnis and Shia are so wide that each believes the other is a Kaffir (disbeliever who is hell-bound).


The main sects are actually 4 not 3: Sunni, Shia, Sufi and Ibadi (formerly known as Kharijites).

The sunni follow the prophet's Sunna which includes all of his recorded sayings and actions as per their sources. This will be important to explain to you as the sources for Sunna differ greatly between these different sects. Most Hadiths (recorded sayings) in Sunni sources come from the Sahaba (companions of the prophet) and strangely enough, the greatest sahabas such as the ones I mentioned before have narrated very few hadiths, barely 300 if put together. Most come from other companions who are counted as minor companions. Sunnis also don't accept hadiths from Ahlul-Bayt (prophet's family) and if they do, there are very few that they accept.

The hadiths include a total of around 27,500 sayings that were recorded in many books by different hadith collectors: Muslim, Bukhari, Malik, Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Al-Timidhi, Al-Darimi and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. These are the sources that are accepted by Sunnis.

As for Shia, they mostly accept hadiths from Ahlul-Bayt and ones that were recorded and preserved by their Imams. Their sources include: Kitab Al-Kafi by Muhammad ibn Ya'qub Al-Kulayni al-Razi (329 AH), Man La Yahduruhu Al-Fiqh by Muhammad ibn Babuya and Al-Tahdib and Al-Istibsar both by Shaykh Muhammad Al-Tusi. Shia hadith collection contains at least 20,000 hadiths and there are many differences in the content. It should be noted that Shia may take hadiths from Sunni sources but they are a lot more careful and reluctant in selection.


Ibadi only have one book of hadith collections as a source and this is Musnad al-Rabi' ibn Habib which contains only 800 sayings.

Differences in dogma and creed are actually very significant especially between Sunni, Shia and Sufi. Shia for example believe in 12 imams that have been alive since the day Adam was created and still are to this very day. It is allowable for them to pray and ask for intercession from them. This is also allowed for the Ahlul-Bayt. Shia only pray 3 times a day in contrast with the rest of sects who pray 5 imes a day.


Sufis are allowed to pray in tombs of sages and scholars. This of course is seen as Shirk (idolatry/paganism) by Sunnis. Sufis also have a very different way of praying than the rest, albeit differences between Shia and Sunni. They usually allow singing and dancing during the praying service and believe that this makes the worshipper become closer with God. They also congregate sometimes and perform a حضرة Hadra which literally means 'presence or to be present' in which they sit around in a circle and invoke God to either come down to their presence or that their souls unite with God's soul. Again, this is seen as an ultimate form of Shirk by most Muslim denominations.

Does the Koran provide evidence of any underlying tensions that may have caused the split?

Any idea who these "hypocrites" were?