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I dunno if this is a repeat but I'll give it a go anyway.
I've tried reading some articles and wikipedia but it still confuses me. Can someone just give me a straight simple answer on what's so different about these groups and why they like to blow each other up?
:question:
That's a grossly broad question that doesn't even hold true in most places. Iraq is a radical example because one has oppressed the other for so long during Suddam's time and it is pretty much the border between the Shia and Sunni Islamic world. The mostly Sunni Iraq had had two very long and very bloody wars with the mostly Shia Iran/
Ok but for clarification can you tell me the key difference between them? Are they like ethnic groups? Or does one say "Allah is merciful and all powerful" and the other says "Wrong! Allah is forgiving and omnipotent!"
The original split was due to a disagreement over whether the decendants of Mohammad or the Imams should lead Islam.
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.
The division between Shia and Sunni dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad, and the question of who was to take over the leadership of the Muslim nation. Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet's companions, that the new leader should be elected from among those capable of the job. This is what was done, and the Prophet Muhammad's close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became the first Caliph of the Islamic nation. The word "Sunni" in Arabic comes from a word meaning "one who follows the traditions of the Prophet."
On the other hand, some Muslims share the belief that leadership should have stayed within the Prophet's own family, among those specifically appointed by him, or among Imams appointed by God Himself.
The Shia Muslims believe that following the Prophet Muhammad's death, leadership should have passed directly to his cousin/son-in-law, Ali. Throughout history, Shia Muslims have not recognized the authority of elected Muslim leaders, choosing instead to follow a line of Imams which they believe have been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad or God Himself. The word "Shia" in Arabic means a group or supportive party of people. The commonly-known term is shortened from the historical "Shia-t-Ali," or "the Party of Ali." They are also known as followers of "Ahl-al-Bayt" or "People of the Household" (of the Prophet).
From this initial question of political leadership, some aspects of spiritual life have been affected and now differ between the two groups of Muslims.
Shia Muslims believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority is infallible as it comes directly from God. Therefore, Shia Muslims often venerate the Imams as saints and perform pilgrimages to their tombs and shrines in the hopes of divine intercession. Sunni Muslims counter that there is no basis in Islam for a hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, and certainly no basis for the veneration or intercession of saints. Sunni Muslims contend that leadership of the community is not a birthright, but a trust that is earned and which may be given or taken away by the people themselves.
Shia Muslims also feel animosity towards some of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, based on their positions and actions during the early years of discord about leadership in the community. Many of these companions (Abu Bakr, Umar, Aisha, etc.) have narrated traditions about the Prophet's life and spiritual practice. Shia Muslims reject these traditions (hadith) and do not base any of their religious practices on the testimony of these individuals. This naturally gives rise to some differences in religious practice between the two groups. These differences touch all detailed aspects of religious life: prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.
Sunni Muslims make up the majority (85%) of Muslims all over the world. Significant populations of Shia Muslims can be found in Iran and Iraq, and large minority communities in Yemen, Bahrain, Syria, and Lebanon.
It is important to remember that despite all of these differences in opinion and practice, Shia and Sunni Muslims share the main articles of Islamic belief and are considered by most to be brethren in faith. In fact, most Muslims do not distinguish themselves by claiming membership in any particular group, but prefer to call themselves simply, "Muslims."
For more detailed information about the historical context of the Shia/Sunni split, and modern-day interpretations and repercussions, please visit the links to the right.
The most basic reason:
The Sunnis killed the second son of Ali, Husayn, to the Shias, a prophet.
Husayn was an Imam not a prophet...
Read Shaba Wangy...
Do Sunni's and Shi'ites really hate each other?
Or are they just at each others throats in Iraq because of the way Saddam Hussein gave advantages to Sunni's at the expense of Shi'ites and Kurds?
Are there any other countries where Sunni's and Shi'ites are fighting each other?
The notion that Sunnis and Shiites hate each other is as true as the notion that Catholics and Protestants hate each other. In fact, if you go to Baghdad you would find that Sunnis and Shiites have intermarried for centuries.
Essentially Sunnis and Shiites represent two different interpretations of the same religion. The issues involved go back centuries and will most likely never be solved in any concrete fashion.
In Iraq , and most Arab nations, you also have tribal influences which play a huge part in the violence you see involving militias, that is Shiite on Sunni violence and vice versa.
Also in Iraq you have a main city Baghdad, that is integrated, Sunnis and Shiites live side by side as well as other denominations. There you might see what jankren is saying, marriages between both Sunnis and Shiites. You might see that in other cities where both live side by side but more so in Baghdad as it is just like any other big city, its a little more progressive.
However most of Iraq is segregated, most cities and towns are Sunni-Shiite only.
Overall they have a long history not linking each other too much and Sunni Shiite dominated countries have also gone to war.
Shia is a persian (iranian)idea of islam.many beliefs of anciet iranian religion is transformed to shia