How do sunni and shia differ

Other disputes that continue to exacerbate the divide include issues of theology, practice and geopolitics. Hadith are the reports of the words and deeds of the prophet and considered an authoritative source of revelation, second only to the Quran. They provide a biographical sketch of the prophet, context to Quranic verses, and are used by Muslims in the application of Islamic law to daily life.

Shias and Sunnis differ over prayer as well. All Sunni Muslims believe they are required to pray five times a day, but Shias can condense those into three. During the Hajj — the pilgrimage to Mecca, held annually and obligatory for all Muslims once in a lifetime — it may seem that these differences are masked, as both Sunnis and Shias gather in the holy city for rituals that reenact the holiest narratives of their faith.

And yet, with Saudi authorities overseeing the Hajj, there have been tensions with Shia governments such as Iran over claims of discrimination. And when it comes to leadership, the Shia have a more hierarchical structure of political and religious authority invested in formally trained clergy whose religious authority is transnational. There is no such structure in Sunni Islam. The greatest splits today, however, come down to politics. Although the majority of Sunni and Shia are able to live peacefully together, the current global political landscape has brought polarization and sectarianism to new levels.

Shia-Sunni conflicts are raging in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan and the divide is growing deeper across the Muslim world. Festival of Social Science — Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire. Edition: Available editions United Kingdom. The great majority -- upwards of 85 to 90 percent -- of the world's more than 1. Shia constitute about 10 to 15 percent of all Muslims, and globally their population is estimated at less than million.

Whereas Sunnis dominate the Muslim world, from West Africa to Indonesia, the Shiites are centrally located, with a vast majority in Iran, predominance in Iraq and sizable populations in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Politics Covid U. News World Opinion Business.

Quick guide: Islam. Sunnis and Shia in the Middle East. Image source, AP. Pilgrimage to Mecca is one of many rituals that are shared by both sects. Who are the Sunnis? Image source, Getty Images. Egypt is home to some of Sunni Islam's oldest centres of learning. Who are the Shia? The deaths of Ali, Hassan and Hussein gave rise to the Shia concept of martyrdom. What role has sectarianism played in recent crises?

Image source, AFP. The execution by Saudi Arabia of a prominent Shia cleric triggered a diplomatic crisis with Iran. Related Topics. Published 13 November