What is the main difference between Shia (Shiite) Islam and Sunni Islam?
What is the main difference between Shia (Shiite) Islam and Sunni Islam ?
The Shia (Shiite) are group of Muslim who believes that the leadership of the Islamic society after the Prophet of Islam (Prophet Muhammad (S)) has been determined by God and introduced to the people by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in Ghadir Khum event shortly before his death, so no one has the right to lead the Islamic society except the infallible Imams. Caliphate of Amir Al-Mu’minin Ali (A) as well as the Qaim Al Mahdi (AJ) are the only acceptable Islamic government. Imam Al-Mahdi (12th infallible Imam) is currently alive and hidden in the Major Occultation until he returns to bring justice to the world.
Also, the wars and conquests of those who unjustly usurped the caliphate are not approved by God and the Messenger of God, meaning that, true Islam can only be experienced only under the rule of Mahdi Al-Muhammad(Aj).
Sunnis are the major group of Muslim, which believe leadership of Muslim did not determined by God (Even though there are too many approved traditions and documents from Sunni scholars that confirm the validity of Ghadir Khum event). Sunnis have the same view point as caliphates in early Islam, meaning that, they consider the government of Islam to be the same governments that have ruled with thousands of corruptions and rebellions against the people so far.
One of those corruptions is the martyrdom of the grandson of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Imam Al-Hussein, and the captivity of his family. By doing so, the caliphates showed that they do not shy away from destroying any Islamic laws to preserve the monarchy.
In short, from the Shia point of view, no government other than the government of the Infallible Imam has legitimacy.
According to the Sunnis, all Islamic governments, with all their corruption, are legal and approved.
All praise is to God to the extent that He deserves it.
Tag: Allah, God, Quran, Prophet Muhammad (S), Amir Al-Mu’minin Ali (A), Imam Al-Hussain (A), Imam Al-Mahdi (AJ), Mahdi Al Muhammad (AJ), infallible Imam, Islam, Government, Shia, Shiite, Sunni, , Ghadir Khum, Justice, Muslim, Caliphate.