The Sunnis

The Sunnis is the closest form of Islam to what's taught in the Qur'an. They make up the majority of the nation of Islam- a sum of about 85 percent of all Muslims. They believe that the caliph should be elected by religious leaders in the Islamic community; they should not have to be directly related to Mohammed. The Sunnis believe that the Shi'ites have strayed away from the teachings of the Qur'an.

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​The Shi'ites

Shi'ite comes from the word Shia, which means "the party (of Ali)". Shia Muslims, make up about 15 percent of the population. Found in Iraq and Iran, they believe that certain direct descendents of Mohammed, called Imams, are the ones to become caliph. Ali was the first Imam, his son Hassan the second, his second son Hussein the third.   Eleven out of twelve Imams were killed.  The 12th Imam, disappeared in 940.  Most Shi'ites believe that the 12th Imam will reappear someday as the Mahdi or Messiah, and reassert his leadership of the Islamic world.  In the meantime, ayatollahs are elected to serve as caretakers of the faith. Shia belief allows images of Ali and encourages prayer to Ali (like Catholics and Orthodox Christians who pray to saints). This practice is unacceptable to Sunni Islam.