Table of Contents
Islam has several branches that differ in beliefs, practices, and interpretations of Islamic teachings. The two main branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, but there are also other smaller branches and sects.
1. Sunni Islam #
- Largest Branch: Sunni Muslims make up about 85-90% of the global Muslim population.
- Beliefs: Sunni Islam emphasizes the authority of the consensus (ijma) of the Muslim community and follows the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as outlined in the Sunnah (the practices and sayings of the Prophet) and the Qur’an.
- Schools of Thought (Madhabs)
- Hanafi: Found in South Asia, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East.
- Maliki: Predominantly in North and West Africa.
- Shafi’i: Present in East Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Middle East.
- Hanbali: Primarily in Saudi Arabia and some Gulf countries.
- Theological Schools
- Ash’ari (Asharism): A major theological school that emphasizes a balance between reason and revelation, rejecting extreme rationalism. It’s influential in parts of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Maturidi: Another theological school similar to Ash’arism, emphasizing the role of human reason. It is prominent in Turkey and Central Asia.
- Salafi Movement: A reformist movement within Sunni Islam advocating for a return to the practices of the early Muslims (the “salaf”). Salafis emphasize strict adherence to the Qur’an and Hadith without innovations. Wahhabism is a subset of Salafism, particularly influential in Saudi Arabia.
2. Shia Islam #
- Second Largest Branch: Shia Muslims make up about 10-15% of the global Muslim population.
- Beliefs: Shia Islam emphasizes the leadership of the Imams, who are considered to be the divinely appointed successors of the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. They believe that the Imams have special spiritual and political authority.
- Main Sub-Sects:
- Twelvers (Ithna Ashariyya): The largest Shia group, believing in a line of twelve Imams. Found primarily in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and parts of South Asia.
- Ismailis: A smaller sect that split from the Twelvers after the death of the sixth Imam. The Aga Khan is a prominent figure in this sect.
- Zaidis: Predominantly found in Yemen, they differ from Twelvers and Ismailis in their belief regarding the rightful successors of the Prophet.
3. Ibadi Islam #
- Smaller Branch: The Ibadi sect is neither Sunni nor Shia, with origins tracing back to early Islamic history. It is mainly found in Oman and parts of East and North Africa.
- Beliefs: Ibadis emphasize a more egalitarian approach to leadership and interpretation of Islamic teachings, focusing on the righteousness of the community over lineage or political authority.
4. Sufism #
- Mystical Branch: Sufism is not a separate sect but a mystical dimension of Islam found in both Sunni and Shia traditions. Sufis focus on the inner, spiritual journey to experience closeness to God through practices like meditation, chanting (dhikr), and asceticism.
- Sufi Orders (Tariqas): Various orders exist, such as the Naqshbandi, Qadiri, Chishti, and Mevlevi orders, each with their own spiritual leaders and practices.
5. Ahmadiyya #
- Reformist Movement: The Ahmadiyya movement was founded in the 19th century by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in India. Ahmadis believe that their founder was a prophet, a view that mainstream Muslims reject since they believe that Muhammad was the last prophet.
- Beliefs: Ahmadi Muslims emphasize peace, tolerance, and dialogue between religions. They are often persecuted in some Muslim-majority countries due to their beliefs.
6. Other Movements and Sects #
- Alawites: A sect mainly found in Syria and Lebanon, with beliefs that incorporate elements of both Shia Islam and other mystical practices.
- Druze: Found primarily in Lebanon, Syria, and Israel, the Druze faith incorporates Islamic elements but is considered a separate religion with secretive beliefs.
Each branch and sect of Islam has its own interpretation of religious texts, leadership structure, and practices, but all share the core beliefs in the oneness of God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad.
