SHI'ITES AND SUNNIS CONFLICT

Shi'ites and Sunnis Conflicts

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

The Conflict Arises1

Conflict appointing First Caliph2

Strong Evidences3

Division of Islam3

The Battle of Camel4

Death of Ali4

Leadership Differences in Shia and Sunni5

Origin of Theologically Conflict6

Conclusion7

Bibliography8

Origin of the Conflict between Shi'ites and Sunnis

Introduction

There are two major sects in Islam; Sunni's population around the world is 85 to 90 percent and Shia's population is 10 to 15 percent. Non- Muslims compared it as division of Catholic and Protestant in Christianity. Although, Shia and Sunni had great conflict with each other but, they have remained peaceful for years. Shias community is largely situated in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon and Syria. Minute population of Shia also lived in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India. Sunni Muslims are situated in Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Saudi Arab. Most of the concepts of Shiaism and Sunniism are same as Muslims. Their fundamental believe is obeying one God Allah and Last Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) as the last Messenger, despite the fact the dissection of Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslim is the oldest and largest in the history of Islam. Both of them strictly follow the Holly Book Quran. Shia and Sunni further divided into their own sects. Shia and Sunnis both lived in conflict as well in peace since the Islam started spreading after the death of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) in 632A.D.

Discussion

The Conflict Arises

After the death of Prophet Mohammad, (Peace be upon him) there were about hundred thousand Muslims as an Islamic Community in Arabian Peninsula. Soon after death the question arises that who will be the person to lead fledging Islamic state. The conflict started as politics and further it widened to religious practices. As the Islamic community had a significant loss after the death of Prophet Mohammad (Peace is upon him), and there was the need of a person who can perform Leadership as great as Prophet did. That was the point people started thinking different from each other and conflict arose. One group said that the person should be elder from Makkah who is also the close companion of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). The other group argues that the Leader should be from Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him family) and has bloodline relationship.

Conflict appointing First Caliph

Majority of Islamic Community chose Abu Bakar Siddique as the first caliph. Abu Bakar was the closest companion of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) and one of the person that accepted Islam in early days in Makkah. The proposal of Caliph as political and social leader Abu Bakar was accepted by a large community. He was not appointed as spiritual leader but was there to convert more people to Islam and preach the lesson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). However, some believer including senior companions wanted Prophet Mohammad's first cousin and son-in-law, Ali, to become Caliph and continue the preaching of Islam. This group of people thought that Prophet had appointed Ali as spiritual and political leader. The conflict was there but later Abu Bakar ...