f the worldwide Muslim population, the Shi’a account for about thirteen percent

The morality of Islam is generally divided into two primary(prenominal) schools the Sunni and the Shia. Of course there ar at least five other schools of Islam, however, the Sunni and Shia make up the studyity of Muslims. (Carmody, 2002) Of the world-wide Muslim population, the Shia account for around thirteen percent.Although this is a small percentage, their crook the world over is strong, especially in the regions of Iraq and Iran where most of them engross. Sunnis, on the other hand, reside mostly in the Middle East, flop and Africa. (Smith, 1991) Although there argon some major protestences between the two sects, they generally delineate the same path of faith, stemming from the founder of the pietism, Muhammad.Muhammad was born(p) about 570 C.E. Around 610 he began to let revelations which, after his death, were collected into what became known as the Quran. According to Islamic doctrine, these revelations were from a pious text from heaven which God himself had written.Seeing a prophet in Muhammad, God move him the angel Gabriel to reveal what was in the book. (Carmody, 2002) This was the etymon of the religion of Islam.After Muhammads death in 632, the religion of Islam began to split. (Carmody, 2002) The Sunnis began following three main(prenominal) caliphs, or Islamic teachers, who proclaimed themselves the leaders of the religion after Muhammads death.Shias, on the other hand, refused to be led by the caliphs and claimed that the true leader of Islam was Muhammads son-in-law, Ali. (Smith, 1991) They believed that the family of Muhammad was the nevertheless true authority of Islam.The Shia, which literally room followers, has some(prenominal) their own traditions and Islamic laws which differ from that of the Sunnis. The Shias, for instance, although they follow something similar to the Five Pillars of Islam, do non call it that.The Five Pillars is important to the belief of Sunnis. Shias, however, similarly generate 5 central tenets, but these they call, Usl al-Dn, or the Roots of Religion. These tenets are Tawhd ( whizness), Adalah (Justice), Nubuwwah (Prophethood), Imamah (Leadership), and Qiyamah (The Day of Judgment). (Wikipedia, 2006)Besides these, there are also the fur al-Dn, or the Branches of Religion. The Fur al-Dn are basically rules harmonize to which a Muslim should live their life, much(prenominal) as fasting, pilgrimage, prayer, etc. (Wikipedia, 2006)There have also been cultural praxiss that over time have developed into strictly Shia beliefs. One of these is known as taqiyya. This rule permits a Shia to deny their religion to and their life or the lives of family members. According to the Shia, the Sunni are wrong in condemning this practice because it is sanctioned by the Quran. (Wikipedia, 2006)Another practice that sets apart the Shia from the Sunni is that of Nikah Mutah. This has to do with the idea of permitting a fixed-time marriage. It states that a man and woman can, if the y both so choose, contractually enter into a marriage for a specified flowing of time. Although the Sunni frown upon this practice, and the Shia do not practice it regularly, they believe it is sanctioned by the Quran and therefore permissible. (Wikipedia, 2006)It is easy for such a large endeavor to get caught up in bureaucracy and find areas in which to split. It makes one wonder what Muhammad would think of the religion if he were around today.Works CitedCarmody, D.L., & Brink, T.L. (2002). Ways to the center An introduction to world religions.Belmont Wadsworth.Islam. Islam. In Wikipedia Web. Retrieved whitethorn 7, 2006, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IslamSchools_.28denominations.29Shia Islam. (2006). Shia Islam. In Wikipedia Web. Retrieved May 7, 2006, from http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shi%27aSmith, Huston (1991). The Worlds Religions. San Francisco Harper Collins.