Sunni+and+Shia+Muslims

What is the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims?
 * Their differences come from political disputes, however, over time, these political differences have led to varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.
 * The division between the two groups dates back to the question of who was to take over leadership of the Muslim nation at the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunni Muslims believe that the new leader should be elected from those capable and this is what was done at Muhammad’s death making Muhammad’s friend and advisor, Abu Bakr the first caliph of the Islamic nation.
 * Others believe that the leadership of the Muslim empire should have stayed within the Prophet Muhammad’s family—thus they believe that Muhammad’s cousin Ali should have become the first Caliph.
 * Sunni Muslims make up the majority of Muslims (85%) all over the world. Shia Muslims have large populations in Iraq and Iran and large minority communities in other Middle East nations such as Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and Lebanon.
 * Some minor religious differences separate the two as well. Both believe that Muhammad was The Prophet. However, the Shia believe that the leader is sinless by nature and that his authority comes directly from God. Sunni Muslims believe that the leadership of the community does not come from birth, but it is a trust that is earned and can be given or taken away by the people themselves.
 * Shia Muslims reject the traditions written in the //Hadith.// The //Hadith// is based on narrated traditions about the Prophet’s life and spiritual practice from many of Muhammad’s companions. The Sunni Muslims follow the //Hadith// and as such it creates differences between religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, and etc.