Key Differences: Sunni vs Shia Islam

About 85% of Muslims are Sunnis; the Shiites make up about 15% of the Muslim population.Sunnis number 1.6 billion.Shiites number just under 200 million. Shiites sit more centrally, mostly in the Middle East. Sunnis spread across the Muslim world, from West Africa to Indonesia.

This splits the Muslim community. Sunnis think a qualified, devout person should follow the Prophet. Shiites believe the successor needs a direct bloodline to Muhammad.The Sunnis hold that a direct bloodlineAbu Bakr was Muhammad's first successor. Shiites disagreed with this choice. They thought Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, should have taken over.Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, should have taken over.

Shiites control their hierarchy completely; the clergy always comes from a direct line of Ali. This sect uses religious endowments, so government involvement is not needed. Sunnis, however, allow government involvement.Sunnis allow government involvement.Sunnis appoint leaders through a big community process. Actually, no hierarchy exists within the Sunni clergy.

Both Sunnis and Shiites believe the afterlife involves either Paradise or Hell.The split happens over how one reaches these places. For Shiites, believing in Muhammad and the Twelve Imams guarantees Paradise. Sunnis think one needs faith in Allah, His prophets, righteous deeds in the Quran, and accepting Muhammad as the final prophet for a chance at Paradise.If one believes in Muhammad and the Twelve Imams, Shiites get Paradise.Twelve Imams guarantee Paradise. Sunnis believe they must havefaith in Allah and His prophets. They believe in the righteous deeds in the Quran, andaccept Muhammad as the final prophet to get a chance at Paradise. Still, they remain at Allah's mercy.

Sunnis and Shiites pray differently, physically and in frequency. Both pray the five daily prayers, but Shiites combine them into three sessions. Sunnis say each prayer separately, praying five times daily. Shiites pray with arms to their sides; Sunnis cross their arms over their chest.

Shiite Imams are appointed by God only. They remain the only legitimate interpreters of the Quran.Shiite Imams are God-appointed only.Shiites believe Imams are divinely guided. Sunnis call Imams saints. These Imams need strong faith in the Quran and Sunnah to gain appointment by the Sunni community.

Sunnis view self-flagellation as a sin and do not participate in it. Shiites practice self-flagellation to remember Hussein's martyrdom.Shiites use these acts to commemorate the martyrdom of Hussein.These acts involve flogging one's back.They also include hitting the chest with hands or using knives and chains.

Temporary marriage is an ancient Islamic practice.Temporary marriage is an ancient Islamic practice.Shiites honor temporary marriages, which often involve long travel. This unites a man and woman as husband and wife for a set, short time. Sunnis see this as adultery.

Sunnis strongly oppose praying at gravesites.Sunnis view praying at gravesites as shirk.Sunnis see praying at gravesites as a sin; it means relying on someone other than Allah for help. Shiites accept this practice and encourage it. They believe a deceased Shiite remains on the path of Allah, just like asking anyone to pray for you.

Both Sunnis and Shiites believe in angels, and God made them from light. However, angels lead very different lives.Shiites believe angels follow God's rules but have the choice to deviate. Shiites think angels never want to sin, so they stay angelic anyway. Sunnis feel angels do not.Shiites hold that angels obey God's commands, but they get the option to go astray. Sunnis feel angels do not.Sunnis believe angels always obey God's commands because they lack any free will.Sunnis obey God's commandments. They have no free will.