sunni vs. shia deconstructing islam for the classroom
TRANSCRIPT
Sunni vs. ShiaSunni vs. Shia
Deconstructing Islam for the Classroom
Deconstructing Islam for the Classroom
What Do We Know about Sunni and Shia Islam?
What Do We Know about Sunni and Shia Islam?
Images of Sunni and Shia ViolenceImages of Sunni and Shia Violence
Islam-The Big PictureIslam-The Big Picture
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)receives the revelation of the Qu’ran in 610
612 Prophet Muhammad (phuh)begins preaching
The Qu’ran holds 114 chapters or “surahs”. It took 21 years for the Qu’ran to be fully revealed. The Qu’ran’s surahs are not ordered chronologically but according to length- longest to shortest.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)receives the revelation of the Qu’ran in 610
612 Prophet Muhammad (phuh)begins preaching
The Qu’ran holds 114 chapters or “surahs”. It took 21 years for the Qu’ran to be fully revealed. The Qu’ran’s surahs are not ordered chronologically but according to length- longest to shortest.
Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam
Shahada- the Declaration of Faith. One becomes a Muslim by saying the following with conviction and belief: “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.”
Salat- Prayer. Muslims are to pray five times a day in the direction of the Kaabah in Mecca. Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.
Shahada- the Declaration of Faith. One becomes a Muslim by saying the following with conviction and belief: “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.”
Salat- Prayer. Muslims are to pray five times a day in the direction of the Kaabah in Mecca. Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.
Five Pillars of Islam Five Pillars of Islam Zakat- Alms-giving to benefit the poor and
needy, required every year (normally at the end of Ramadam). 2.5% of wealth, volunteer time can count towards this.
Sawm- Fasting. For the entire month of Ramadan (on the lunar calendar) believers abstain from food, drink and impure thought and deeds during the daylight hours. The month commemorates the first revelation of the Qu’ran and is seen as spiritually purifying. The end of Ramadan is a holiday, Eid al-Fitr Feast of Breaking the Fast.
Zakat- Alms-giving to benefit the poor and needy, required every year (normally at the end of Ramadam). 2.5% of wealth, volunteer time can count towards this.
Sawm- Fasting. For the entire month of Ramadan (on the lunar calendar) believers abstain from food, drink and impure thought and deeds during the daylight hours. The month commemorates the first revelation of the Qu’ran and is seen as spiritually purifying. The end of Ramadan is a holiday, Eid al-Fitr Feast of Breaking the Fast.
Five Pillars of IslamFive Pillars of Islam
Hajj- The Pilgramage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. If able every Muslim is expected to make the Hajj at least once in their lifetime, if unable many sponsor someone to go in their place. It is common for a village to pull together their money to pay the way for one individual to go on behalf of all. The end of Dhu al-Hijjah is another holiday, Eid al-Aida, Feast of the Sacrifice.
Hajj- The Pilgramage to Mecca during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah. If able every Muslim is expected to make the Hajj at least once in their lifetime, if unable many sponsor someone to go in their place. It is common for a village to pull together their money to pay the way for one individual to go on behalf of all. The end of Dhu al-Hijjah is another holiday, Eid al-Aida, Feast of the Sacrifice.
Additional ComponentAdditional Component
Jihad- Important concept in both Sunni and Shia Islam, signifies a struggle. Two types, the struggle within (which the Qu’ran deals mainly with), and the struggle (wars of religion) without. Shia consider the inner Jihad an essential element of the faith.
Jihad is often misused in terminology and in its purpose. Terrorist group Al-Qaida is a Sunni organization.
Jihad- Important concept in both Sunni and Shia Islam, signifies a struggle. Two types, the struggle within (which the Qu’ran deals mainly with), and the struggle (wars of religion) without. Shia consider the inner Jihad an essential element of the faith.
Jihad is often misused in terminology and in its purpose. Terrorist group Al-Qaida is a Sunni organization.
DefinitionsDefinitions PBUH- Stands for
“Peace Be Upon Him” and is commonly said or written after using the Prophet Muhammad’s name by Muslims.
Qu’ran- the Holy book of the Islamic faith, the word means “recitation”. Many believers, as well as Muhammad himself, were illiterate and learned all teachings orally.
PBUH- Stands for “Peace Be Upon Him” and is commonly said or written after using the Prophet Muhammad’s name by Muslims.
Qu’ran- the Holy book of the Islamic faith, the word means “recitation”. Many believers, as well as Muhammad himself, were illiterate and learned all teachings orally.
Surah- a chapter within the Qu’ran
Islam- means “surrender”
Muslim- means “one who surrenders”
Ummah- the religious community
Ahl al-Kitab- “People of the Book”, refers to Jews and Christians or ‘people of an earlier revelation’
Surah- a chapter within the Qu’ran
Islam- means “surrender”
Muslim- means “one who surrenders”
Ummah- the religious community
Ahl al-Kitab- “People of the Book”, refers to Jews and Christians or ‘people of an earlier revelation’
The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-
The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-
KhadijaFirst Wife
Prophet Muhammad
Fatima
Muhammad and Khadija are credited with having several daughters, although the parentage of them is questioned by scholars; they may have been adopted by Muhammadrather than sired by him. Uthman (the 3rd Caliph) was married to one of these daughters, Umm Kulthum bint Muhammad. However, historically these daughters havebeen marginalized, most likely because they did not bear any surviving children or survivetheir father. For the purposes of this presentation, all family relations have been simplified, thus we can state that Fatima was the only surviving daughter of Muhammad.
The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-
The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-Abu Talib
Muhammad’s Uncle
Khadija (First Wife)
Prophet Muhammad
Abu BakrFriend and Early Convert
Aisha
FatimaAliMuhammad’s Cousin
The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-
The Sunni-Shia Split-It’s All About Family-
FatimaAli
1st Imam
Hassan2nd Imam
Hussein3rd Imam
Zaynab Umm Al-Kaltum
Ali Zain Al-Abideen4th Imam
All Other ImamsDescend from this
Line.
Muhammad’s SuccessionMuhammad’s Succession
632- Muhammad dies, leaving no confirmed successor*
Disagreement among clans on who will lead the faith- bloodline (Ali) or the one most capable
The Ummah (the Islamic community) elects Muhammad’s father-in-law (through his wife Aisha) Abu Bakr to lead the faith. He becomes the first Caliph - the leader of the Ummah.
632- Muhammad dies, leaving no confirmed successor*
Disagreement among clans on who will lead the faith- bloodline (Ali) or the one most capable
The Ummah (the Islamic community) elects Muhammad’s father-in-law (through his wife Aisha) Abu Bakr to lead the faith. He becomes the first Caliph - the leader of the Ummah.
The Rashidun (632-661)The Rule of the Four Righted Guided CaliphsThe Rashidun (632-661)The Rule of the Four Righted Guided Caliphs
Name Ruled Died Known For
Abu Bakr1st Caliph
632-634elected
Natural causes, appointed his
successor
Quelled rebellion and united
Arabia
Umar ibn al-Khattab
2nd Caliph
634-644appointed
Stabbed in a Medina mosque by a POW with a personal grudge.
Wars of expansion (power not religion
but religion followed) to the
greater Middle East
Uthman ibn Affan
3rd Caliph
644-656elected
Assassinated by those from the elite of
Medina over the rise of status and power of the Umayyad clan.
Expanded the empire to North Africa and
Central Asia- but with much political cost. Standardized the
Qu’ran.
Ali ibn Abu Talib4th Caliph/1st
Imam
656-661elected
Assassinated by Kharajiites, a group
of dissenters to Ali’s rule
Ruled during the first Fitnah (civil war). His
place in history is denoted more for who
he was rather than what he did.
First FitnahA 5 Year Civil War that lasted through Ali’s Reign
First FitnahA 5 Year Civil War that lasted through Ali’s Reign
Angered over Ali’s reluctance to seek revenge in the death of Uthman, Aisha and her kinsman lead a revolt against Ali in the Battle of the Camel, which was lost by the rebels.
Ali’s rule was not supported in Syria (where Uthman had appointed members of the Umayyad clan in power). Mu’awiya, governor of Syria, also wanted revenge for Uthman’s death. The Battle of Siffin (657) ended in arbitration between the two sides, which seriously hurt Ali politically.
Angered over Ali’s reluctance to seek revenge in the death of Uthman, Aisha and her kinsman lead a revolt against Ali in the Battle of the Camel, which was lost by the rebels.
Ali’s rule was not supported in Syria (where Uthman had appointed members of the Umayyad clan in power). Mu’awiya, governor of Syria, also wanted revenge for Uthman’s death. The Battle of Siffin (657) ended in arbitration between the two sides, which seriously hurt Ali politically.
A Community DividedA Community Divided The Shia (followers of Ali) had been supporting Ali as the rightful
head of the Islamic faith since the death of Muhammad. Now as Ali was being persecuted politically, the idea of being unfairly treated was being ingrained in the Shia psyche.
As Ali was not actively seeking retribution for Uthman’s death, the Ummah was growing more and more discontent with the Caliph, garnering more support for challengers to the Caliphate like Mu’awiya.
The Ummah was also horrified by the infighting between those that had once been a part of Muhammad’s inner circle, the community wanted a strong leader, not only for their protection but for the preservation of the faith.
The true split in Islam came with the death of Ali. The Shia, who supported Ali went one way, and the Sunni, who followed Mu’awiya I (who declared himself Caliph and began the Umayyad dynasty) went the other.
The Shia (followers of Ali) had been supporting Ali as the rightful head of the Islamic faith since the death of Muhammad. Now as Ali was being persecuted politically, the idea of being unfairly treated was being ingrained in the Shia psyche.
As Ali was not actively seeking retribution for Uthman’s death, the Ummah was growing more and more discontent with the Caliph, garnering more support for challengers to the Caliphate like Mu’awiya.
The Ummah was also horrified by the infighting between those that had once been a part of Muhammad’s inner circle, the community wanted a strong leader, not only for their protection but for the preservation of the faith.
The true split in Islam came with the death of Ali. The Shia, who supported Ali went one way, and the Sunni, who followed Mu’awiya I (who declared himself Caliph and began the Umayyad dynasty) went the other.
Second FitnahSecond Fitnah Mu’awiya I had managed to reconsolidate the
Ummah, although in order to keep the community intact long-term, a new style of government closer to a monarchy than of an Arab Chieftain was needed. Mu’awiya arranged for his son Yezid to succeed him.
Outraged at the choice of succession, Hussein (the son of Ali) and his followers demanded their rights to the Caliphate, which culminates in the Battle of Karbala in 680.
Mu’awiya I had managed to reconsolidate the Ummah, although in order to keep the community intact long-term, a new style of government closer to a monarchy than of an Arab Chieftain was needed. Mu’awiya arranged for his son Yezid to succeed him.
Outraged at the choice of succession, Hussein (the son of Ali) and his followers demanded their rights to the Caliphate, which culminates in the Battle of Karbala in 680.
The Battle of Karbala and its outcomes
The Battle of Karbala and its outcomes
Supporters of Hussein ibn Ali against Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph.
Horribly outnumbered: under 100 vs. 4000+
Results- all men were massacred, women and childern in capitivity and made to march to Damascus, including Hussein’s sister Zaynab
The Martyrdom of Hussein is celebrated by Shia, this day is called Ashura.
Supporters of Hussein ibn Ali against Yazid I, the Umayyad caliph.
Horribly outnumbered: under 100 vs. 4000+
Results- all men were massacred, women and childern in capitivity and made to march to Damascus, including Hussein’s sister Zaynab
The Martyrdom of Hussein is celebrated by Shia, this day is called Ashura.
Sunni and Shia TodaySunni and Shia Today
Population statistics (Sunni 90%, Shia 10%)
Cult of Martyrdom- the 12 ImamsConcept of the MahdiAreas of the World where conflict
between the two exist. Iraq and Bahrain
Population statistics (Sunni 90%, Shia 10%)
Cult of Martyrdom- the 12 ImamsConcept of the MahdiAreas of the World where conflict
between the two exist. Iraq and Bahrain
Sunni and Shia TodaySunni and Shia Today
Concealing Faith for Self ProtectionTemporary MarriagesFrequency of Prayer
Concealing Faith for Self ProtectionTemporary MarriagesFrequency of Prayer
HolidaysHolidays
Sunni: Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr Shia: Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Ashura Ashura- a day of mourning. Men would
beat their chests, and cut their bodies with knives. As most religious elite ban the cutting practice it still happens, they encourage the Shia to donate blood instead to commemorate the blood spilled at the battle of Karbala.
Sunni: Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr Shia: Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Ashura Ashura- a day of mourning. Men would
beat their chests, and cut their bodies with knives. As most religious elite ban the cutting practice it still happens, they encourage the Shia to donate blood instead to commemorate the blood spilled at the battle of Karbala.
Holy PlacesHoly Places
Sunni: Mecca, Medina, JerusalemShia: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem,
Najaf (Site of Ali’s Tomb), Karbala
Sunni: Mecca, Medina, JerusalemShia: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem,
Najaf (Site of Ali’s Tomb), Karbala
Recap SunniRecap Sunni
The Sunni branch believes that the first four caliphs--Mohammed's successors--rightfully took his place as the leaders of Muslims. They recognize the heirs of the four caliphs as legitimate religious leaders. These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War.
The Sunni branch believes that the first four caliphs--Mohammed's successors--rightfully took his place as the leaders of Muslims. They recognize the heirs of the four caliphs as legitimate religious leaders. These heirs ruled continuously in the Arab world until the break-up of the Ottoman Empire following the end of the First World War.
Recap ShiaRecap Shia
Shiites, in contrast, believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed. In 931 the Twelfth Imam disappeared. This was a seminal event in the history of Shiite Muslims.
Shiites, in contrast, believe that only the heirs of the fourth caliph, Ali, are the legitimate successors of Mohammed. In 931 the Twelfth Imam disappeared. This was a seminal event in the history of Shiite Muslims.
Recap ShiaRecap Shia
According to R. Scott Appleby, a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame,"Shiite Muslims, who are concentrated in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, [believe they] had suffered the loss of divinely guided political leadership" at the time of the Imam's disappearance.
According to R. Scott Appleby, a professor of history at the University of Notre Dame,"Shiite Muslims, who are concentrated in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, [believe they] had suffered the loss of divinely guided political leadership" at the time of the Imam's disappearance.
Recap Shia Recap Shia
Not until the ascendancy of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1978" did they believe that they had once again begun to live under the authority of a legitimate religious figure.
Not until the ascendancy of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1978" did they believe that they had once again begun to live under the authority of a legitimate religious figure.
Loss of a LeaderLoss of a Leader
for Sunni Muslims, approximately 90 percent of the Muslim world, the loss of the caliphate after World War I was devastating in light of the hitherto continuous historic presence of the caliph, the guardian of Islamic law and the Islamic state.
for Sunni Muslims, approximately 90 percent of the Muslim world, the loss of the caliphate after World War I was devastating in light of the hitherto continuous historic presence of the caliph, the guardian of Islamic law and the Islamic state.
Osama Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden
Osama bin Laden is a Sunni Muslim. To him the end of the reign of the caliphs in the 1920s was catastrophic, as he made clear in a videotape made after 9-11. On the tape, broadcast by Al-Jazeera on October 7, 2001, he proclaimed
Osama bin Laden is a Sunni Muslim. To him the end of the reign of the caliphs in the 1920s was catastrophic, as he made clear in a videotape made after 9-11. On the tape, broadcast by Al-Jazeera on October 7, 2001, he proclaimed
TalibanTaliban
Radical Muslim group Based in Afghanistan
Radical Muslim group Based in Afghanistan
Osama Bin Laden QuoteOsama Bin Laden Quote
:"What America is tasting now is only a copy of what we have tasted. ... Our Islamic nation has been tasting the same for more [than] eighty years, of humiliation and disgrace, its sons killed and their blood spilled, its sanctities desecrated."
:"What America is tasting now is only a copy of what we have tasted. ... Our Islamic nation has been tasting the same for more [than] eighty years, of humiliation and disgrace, its sons killed and their blood spilled, its sanctities desecrated."
9/119/11
The Taliban came into conflict with the United States. Investigation on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. Led to terrorist leaser Osama Bin Laden.
The Taliban came into conflict with the United States. Investigation on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. Led to terrorist leaser Osama Bin Laden.
9/11 9/11
Osama bin Laden led a terrorist network called Al Qaeda network which was based in Afghanistan.
U.S and British forces attacked Taliban and Al Qaeda targets and toppled Afghanistan’s Taliban government.
Osama bin Laden led a terrorist network called Al Qaeda network which was based in Afghanistan.
U.S and British forces attacked Taliban and Al Qaeda targets and toppled Afghanistan’s Taliban government.
Pakistan Pakistan
Believed to work with terrorist groups and to have been hiding bin Laden.
Bin Laden was recently found and killed by a U.S. special operations group.
Believed to work with terrorist groups and to have been hiding bin Laden.
Bin Laden was recently found and killed by a U.S. special operations group.
Thank you for Coming!Thank you for Coming!
All of the Powerpoint presentation and handouts for this presentation can be found on our website:
www.mec.utah.edu/outreach
All of the Powerpoint presentation and handouts for this presentation can be found on our website:
www.mec.utah.edu/outreach