Sunnism is one of the main directions of Islam. Sunnism: description, features and interesting facts

Perhaps no religion in its history has escaped the split that led to the formation of new trends within the single doctrine. Islam is no exception: at the present time there are about half a dozen of its main directions, which appeared in different epochs and under different circumstances.

In the 7th century, two versions of the doctrine split Islam: Shiism and Sunnism. This happened because of the contradictions in the issue of the transfer of supreme power. The problem arose almost immediately after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, who left no orders on this matter.

The issue of power

Muhammad is considered the last of the prophets sent down to the people who established the connection between heaven and earth, God and man. Since in secular Islam secular power was practically inseparable from religious, both of these spheres were regulated by one person - a prophet.

After the death of the prophet, the community split into several directions, which solved the issue of transferring power in different ways. Shiism proposed a hereditary principle. Sunnism is the voice of a community that elects a religious and secular leader.

Shiism

The Shiites insisted that the authority should pass by the right of blood, since only a relative can touch the grace that was sent to the prophet. Representatives of the current elected a new imam of the cousin Muhammad, pinning his hopes on restoring justice in the community. According to legend, Mohammed called the Shiites of those who follow his brother.

Ali ibn Abu Talib ruled only five years and could not achieve significant improvements during this time, as the supreme power had to be defended and defended. However, among the Shiites, Imam Ali enjoys great authority and honor: adherents of the direction add to the Qur'an a surah dedicated to the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali ("Two Lights"). One of the Shiite sects directly deifies Ali, the hero of many folk tales and songs.

What the Shiites Believe

After the murder of the first Shiite imam, power was transferred to Ali's sons from Muhammad's daughter. Their fate was also tragic, but they laid the foundation for the Shiite dynasty of Imams, which existed until the XII century.

The opponent of Sunnism, Shi'ism, did not have political power, but he was deeply rooted in the spiritual sphere. After the disappearance of the twelfth imam, the doctrine of the "hidden Imam" arose, which will return to the earth like the Christ of the Orthodox.

At present, Shi'ism is the state religion of Iran - the number of followers is about 90% of the total population. In Iraq and Yemen, about half of the inhabitants adhere to Shiism. The influence of the Shiites is also noticeable in Lebanon.

Sunshine

Sunnism is the second option for resolving the issue of power in Islam. Representatives of this trend after the death of Mohammed insisted that the management of both the spiritual and secular spheres of life should be concentrated in the hands of the umma - a religious community that elects a leader from among its number.

Sunni ulama - the custodians of the Faith - are distinguished by a zealous following of traditions, ancient written sources. Therefore, along with the Qur'an, the Sunnah plays a great role - a body of texts about the life of the last prophet. On the basis of these texts, the first ulema developed a set of rules, dogmas, the pursuit of which means movement in the right way. Sunnism is the religion of the book tradition and submission to the religious community.

At present Sunnism is the most widespread course of Islam, covering about 80% of all Muslims.

Sunnah

What is sunnism, it will be easier to understand, if you understand the origin of the term. Sunnis are followers of the Sunnah.

The Sunnah is literally translated as "sample", "example" and is completely called "Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah". This is a written text, consisting of stories about the deeds and words of Muhammad. Functionally, it complements the Koran, since the true meaning of the Sunnah is an illustration of the customs and traditions of noble antiquity. Sunnism is just the adherence to the pious norms established by the ancient texts.

The Sunnah is revered in Islam along with the Qur'an, its teaching is given an important role in theological education. The Shiites - the only Muslims - deny the authority of the Sunnah.

Sunnism

Already in the VIII century disagreements on questions of faith formed two directions of Sunnism: Murjits and Mutazilites. In the 9th century, the movement of the Hanbalites also arose, which was marked by strict adherence not only to the spirit, but also to the letter of religious tradition. Khanbalits established a clear framework for what was permitted and illicit, and fully regulated the lives of Muslims. Thus they sought purity of faith.

Delay until the Day of Judgment

Murjits - "pacifiers" - did not solve the issue of power, but offered to postpone it until the meeting with Allah. Accent the followers of the current made on the sincerity of faith in the Most High, which is a sign of a true Muslim. In their opinion, a Muslim remains to him even after committing a sin, if he keeps a pure faith in Allah. Also his sin is not eternal: he will redeem him with suffering and leave hell.

The First Steps of Theology

Mutazalits - separated - arose from the movement of the Murjites and were the first in the formation of Islamic theology. The majority of followers were well-educated Muslims.

The main interest of the mutazalites was concentrated on the difference in interpretation of certain provisions of the Qur'an concerning the nature of God and man. They dealt with the issue of the freedom of the will of man and predestination.

For the Mutazilites, the person who committed a grave sin is in the middle state - he is neither faithful nor unfaithful. It is this inference of Vasil ibn Ata, a disciple of the well-known theologian in the eighth century, who is considered the beginning of the formation of the motion of the mutazilites.

Sunnism and Shiism: differences

The main difference between Shiites and Sunnis is the question of the source of power. The former rely on the authority of the dawned divine will on the right of kinship, the latter on the tradition and decision of the community. For the Sunnis, the written in the Quran, the Sunnah and some other sources are of paramount importance. On their basis, the basic ideological principles were formulated, the fidelity of which means following the true faith.

The Shiites believe that the will of God is accomplished through the imam, just as Catholics personify it in the image of the Pope. It is important that power is inherited, since only those who are related by blood to the last prophet Muhammad bear the blessing of the Almighty. After the disappearance of the last imam, the power was transferred to the ulema - scholars and theologians, who acted as a collective representative of the missing imam, expected by the Shiites like Christ in Christians.

The difference in directions is also manifested in the fact that for Shia the secular and spiritual power can not be divided and concentrated in the hands of one leader. Sunnis advocate the separation of spiritual and political spheres of influence.

The Shiites deny the authority of the first three caliphs - the companions of Muhammad. The Sunnis, for their part, consider them here as heretics, who worship twelve imams less familiar with the prophet. There is also a provision of Islamic law, according to which only a general decision of authoritative persons is of decisive importance in religious matters. This is the basis for the Sunnis, choosing the supreme ruler by the vote of the community.

There is also a difference in sending rites from Shiites and Sunnis. Although they both pray 5 times a day, however, the position of their hands differs. Also the Shiites, for example, have a tradition of self-flagellation, not accepted by the Sunnis.

Sunnism and Shiism today are the most widespread currents of Islam. Sufism stands apart - a system of mystical and religious ideas, formed on the basis of asceticism, renunciation of worldly life and strict adherence to the covenants of faith.