jimmoyer
Posts: 5,040 
Location: Winchester Virginia
Location: Winchester Virginia
April 25th, 2006, 08:31 PM
I always wanted to hear the story of the Sunni and Shia
told by a follower.
I don't quite understand all of the details of it,
but what I do know of it, is quite fascinating.
And glad to see you post moghrabi.
I hope it wasn't from my idiocy.
I hope you give this board another chance.
I always wanted to hear the story of the Sunni and Shia
told by a follower.
I don't quite understand all of the details of it,
but what I do know of it, is quite fascinating.
And glad to see you post moghrabi.
I hope it wasn't from my idiocy.
I hope you give this board another chance.
Council Member
Posts: 4,490
Location: Canada
Location: Canada
April 25th, 2006, 10:01 PM
Hi Jim,
Please rest assured that it was not you at all. It was always a pleasure to discuss things with you. This is a forum and we all have a different look at things based on our backgrounds and so on.
As for the difference between Shia and Sunni is subtle on the outside yet they are very different when it comes to the core beliefs.
Sunni are the followers of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the true sense of the word. They follow the Koran and also the Hadith (the Prophets sayings and advice compiled into Hadith). Go to http://thetruereligion.org/modules/news/ for more on Hadith.
The Shia on the other hand never follow the Hadith and they believe that the Kalipha after the death of the Prophet should have gone to Ali (he was a cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad). This what divided moslems through the centuries. Shi'a Muslims follow the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his Ahlul Bayt. After Muhammad's demise, Shi'as were of the opinion that in addition to Muhammad's revelation, his Ahlul Bayt or household were chosen as the best qualified teachers and carriers of Muhammad's Sunna (traditions) and that they are the best source of knowledge regarding Quran and Islam in general after the prophet himself. The phrase Shi'a of Ali in history was a title given initially by Muhammad and later by his descendants in praise of Ali's followers and that of the Ahlul Bayt. Shi'as believe that Imam Ali, the male head of the Ahlul Bayt should have followed Muhammad as the direct successor and leader of the Muslims and that he was directly appointed by Muhammad on several occasions during Muhammad's life. Hereby Shi'as reject the rule of the three previous Caliphs who took power and believe the prophet's companions are inferior to his family in all respects. This being in contrast to Sunni theology, which holds that companions should be followed rather than the Ahlul Bayt. Regardless of disputes regarding Caliphate, Shi'as acknowledge the Imamate, wich is an exclusive selection of whom was the most qualified to teach about Muhammad and in addition be emulated after his demise. The difference of opinion regarding Caliphate and whom should be followed however has caused differences in interpretation of Quranic text, acceptance of Hadith, how Shi'as and Sunnis regard personalities in Islamic history and more.
I would refer to the Free Encyclopedia where a wealth of info is there.
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Sunni
Peace
Hi Jim,
Please rest assured that it was not you at all. It was always a pleasure to discuss things with you. This is a forum and we all have a different look at things based on our backgrounds and so on.
As for the difference between Shia and Sunni is subtle on the outside yet they are very different when it comes to the core beliefs.
Sunni are the followers of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the true sense of the word. They follow the Koran and also the Hadith (the Prophets sayings and advice compiled into Hadith). Go to http://thetruereligion.org/modules/news/ for more on Hadith.
The Shia on the other hand never follow the Hadith and they believe that the Kalipha after the death of the Prophet should have gone to Ali (he was a cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad). This what divided moslems through the centuries. Shi'a Muslims follow the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his Ahlul Bayt. After Muhammad's demise, Shi'as were of the opinion that in addition to Muhammad's revelation, his Ahlul Bayt or household were chosen as the best qualified teachers and carriers of Muhammad's Sunna (traditions) and that they are the best source of knowledge regarding Quran and Islam in general after the prophet himself. The phrase Shi'a of Ali in history was a title given initially by Muhammad and later by his descendants in praise of Ali's followers and that of the Ahlul Bayt. Shi'as believe that Imam Ali, the male head of the Ahlul Bayt should have followed Muhammad as the direct successor and leader of the Muslims and that he was directly appointed by Muhammad on several occasions during Muhammad's life. Hereby Shi'as reject the rule of the three previous Caliphs who took power and believe the prophet's companions are inferior to his family in all respects. This being in contrast to Sunni theology, which holds that companions should be followed rather than the Ahlul Bayt. Regardless of disputes regarding Caliphate, Shi'as acknowledge the Imamate, wich is an exclusive selection of whom was the most qualified to teach about Muhammad and in addition be emulated after his demise. The difference of opinion regarding Caliphate and whom should be followed however has caused differences in interpretation of Quranic text, acceptance of Hadith, how Shi'as and Sunnis regard personalities in Islamic history and more.
I would refer to the Free Encyclopedia where a wealth of info is there.
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Sunni
Peace
Council Member
Posts: 1,571
Location: Changchun, China
Location: Changchun, China
April 26th, 2006, 05:24 AM
Moghrabi, long time no see. Happy to read you again.
Crusader, as moghrabi said; feel free to PM us if you like. He's Muslim, I'm Baha'i.
If you feel more comfortable studying Islam for yourself, you can find Rodwell's version of the Qur'an here:
http://www.truthnet.org/islam/Quran/Rodwell/
Bear in mind, however, that while Rodwell's version is in fact my favourite in English, Reverend J.M. Rodwell himself was quite critical of Islam as you will notice should you read his footnotes. I personally found his footnotes to be senseless gibberish, but I'll still give him credit for a quality translation which has surpassed all those prior or sinse in the English language for their literary quality.
The webpage above is likewise critical, but it's the best presentation of his translation on-line if you can just look beyond the anti-Islamic bias on the site.
And if you want to know more about the Baha'i Faith, you can visit http://www.bahai.org/
Moghrabi, long time no see. Happy to read you again.
Crusader, as moghrabi said; feel free to PM us if you like. He's Muslim, I'm Baha'i.
If you feel more comfortable studying Islam for yourself, you can find Rodwell's version of the Qur'an here:
http://www.truthnet.org/islam/Quran/Rodwell/
Bear in mind, however, that while Rodwell's version is in fact my favourite in English, Reverend J.M. Rodwell himself was quite critical of Islam as you will notice should you read his footnotes. I personally found his footnotes to be senseless gibberish, but I'll still give him credit for a quality translation which has surpassed all those prior or sinse in the English language for their literary quality.
The webpage above is likewise critical, but it's the best presentation of his translation on-line if you can just look beyond the anti-Islamic bias on the site.
And if you want to know more about the Baha'i Faith, you can visit http://www.bahai.org/
