Diverse+religious+traditions+of+Islam+-+Sunni,+Shi'a,+Shi'ite,+Sufi

Building a Muslim Empire Muhammad’s death caused his followers to fall into dejection. Both a pious man and a strong leader, the Prophet was able to unify numerous Arab tribes.

Divisions Emerge Within Islam Muslims can into disputes about who should be the leader of the community, when Muhammad died. The Muslim Sunni and Shiites split between each other had a extreme impact on succeeding Islamic history.

**Sunnis and Shiites** Ali was thought to be the successor of Muhammad by a group of Muslims. These people were called Shiites, after shi’at Ali, or followers of Ali. The offspring of Muhammad’s daughter, Fatima and Ali were believed by the Shiites to be the true successors to the Prophet. The descendants, called Imams, are believed to be godly outstanding religious leaders, being able to explain the Quran and the deeds of Muhammad. An additional group felt that Muslims who are good could guide the community, since a prophet after Muhammad could not happen. Later, this group fought between themselves and with others, after they divided.

From Muhammad’s tribe, a pious male Muslim was soon agreed to be the successor to Muhammad by a large number of Muslims. Without any predictive or divine function, this successor of the religious community, is looked at as a political leader. This group is known to as Sunnis, which follows the tradition of the community, or sunna. The example of Muhammad is what inspiration comes from, according to the Sunni.

To this day, the splitting up between Shiite and Sunni Muslims are still alive. Members of the two look for guidance in the Quran, believe in the same God, and follow the Pillar of Islam. The Shiites and Sunnis still differ in areas of law, everyday life, and religious practice. About 90 percent of Muslims are Sunni to this day.

Over the centuries, a source of conflict came from the separation of the Sunnis and Shiites. Other Sunnis were frequently favored when Sunni rulers had power and on the other side, they ripped Shiites of power and money. Likewise, when Shiites obtained power, the Sunnis suffered. In the Middle East today, this competition remains a source of pressure.



A group called the Sufis became known amongst both the Sunni and Shiite branches of Islam. The Sufis are known as Muslim mystics who seek relations with God through fasting, meditation, and other rituals. Some Sufis were thought to have supernatural powers and they were shown consideration for their devotion.
 * Sufis**

Some Sufis helped expand Islam by preaching, traveling, and being good examples to others. Their religion was spread out to faraway villages, where they mixed neighborhood beliefs and traditions into Muslim culture.

