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Shia and Sunni (Hanafi, Maliki, Hanbali & Shafai) Muslims,
Differences and Similarities
There is no difference on the basic fundamentals between all sects of Sunni and
Shia Muslims. Both believe in same Quran, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
and fundamentals of Islam.
However there is some difference between one sect to other. In some cases one
Sect of Sunni Muslims differs with other Sunni Sects while agree on that
particular issue with Shia Muslims, some examples are below.
• Shia and Maliki offer Namaz (prayer) with open hands. As per Imam Malik
Rahmatullah Alaih “ the instruction is to offer Namaz with open hands, folded
hands are only permissible. While other sects of Hanafi, Hanbali and Shafai
offer Namaz with folded hands. Some historians wrote that originally every one
was offering Namaz with open hands but subsequently to make difference with Shia,
Hanafi, Shafai and Hanbali changed to folded hands.
• Hanbali and Shia allows ladies to pray inside Mosque with separation between
males and females through wall or curtain, even in Prophets Mosque at Madina and
Mecca the ladies are allowed. While Hanafi are strictly against allowing ladies
inside mosque.
• Zohrain and Magrabain prayers are allowed by Shia Muslims and Hanbalis. It
means immediately after Zohar prayer the Asr prayer can be offered which is
called Zohrain. Similarly immediately after Maghrib prayer Isha prayer can be
offered which is called Magrabain. Every one agrees the payer times are five but
Zohrain and Maghrabain are allowed in Shia and Hanbali while Hanafi do not agree
to it.
• Shia and most of the Hanafi, Shafai, Maliki and some Hanbali celebrate Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) birthday as Eid Miladun Nabi but most of Hanbali
consider it as deviation.
On the subject of election of Caliph there is no difference for the events which
occurred during the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) last time and
immediately after his death. Every one agrees that prior to his death Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) has asked for paper, pen and ink to write some
directions for the benefit of Muslim Ummah but Omer (RA) objected to it, after
the death of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) Omer (RA) became violent and
put sword on the neck of one Muslim for saying that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be
upon him) has died, subsequently Ansar assembled outside Medina at the place
Saqifa to elect the Caliph also Muhajirs reached the same place. There were
heated arguments and one of the Ansar was beaten by Muhajirs, finally Umer (RA)
proposed and others agree for Abubakar (RA) as caliph. Here in Medina Ali (R.A.)
was waiting with few Companions (ashabs) for rest of the Muslims finally they
arrange for burial, gave bath to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) body, dug
the grave and buried Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). When these Muhajirs
and Ansars return back after three days from election, some of them became very
furious for not waiting until their return and suggested that it is the right of
Caliph to bury the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).
There is no dispute on the validity of above mentioned events, only opinions are
differing whether it was right to prevent Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)
from writing his guidance? or it was right to elect new Caliph leaving behind
dead body of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Some people thinks election
of Caliph can be done after burial of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) or if
it was very urgent then interim leader could have been chosen and final decision
left when every one is assembled. Anyway these are unending arguments and cross
arguments. We have mentioned these only to mention basic differences.
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