The dislike some Salafis hold for Shia Muslims, particularly those in Iran, is rooted in both deep theological differences and complex geopolitical rivalries. At its core, Salafism, a branch of Sunni Islam, strictly adheres to the practices of early Muslims. They see Shia beliefs, like the reverence for certain Imams and specific religious practices, as deviations from what they consider to be pure Islam. Furthermore, Salafis often accuse Shias of disrespecting companions of the Prophet Muhammad, which is a major point of contention.

This religious divide is amplified by a significant political struggle for influence in the Middle East, primarily between Shia-led Iran and Salafi-aligned Saudi Arabia. The 1979 Iranian Revolution, which established a Shia Islamic state, intensified these tensions, as Iran sought to expand its revolutionary ideals. This has led to proxy conflicts across the region where religious identity is often used to rally support, fueling animosity and making the religious differences even more pronounced.

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