How does your sect differ from the other branches within the major religion?

There are only 2 main branches- Sunni and Shi'i (Shias, Shi'ites). The smaller branches include: Sufism, Kharijite, Ahmadiyya, Quarnism, and more. The differences between Sunni and Shi'i are:

1. Sunni has 940 million followers, Shi'i has 120 million followers.

2. 90% of Muslims are Sunni, only 10% are Shi'i.

3. Sunni rulers must be of the tribe of the Prophet (Quraysh), Shi'i rulers must be of the family of the Prophet.

4. Sunni current leaders are called- imams, Shi'i current leaders are called- mujtahids.

5. Sunni- Al Mahdi will come in the future. Shi'i- Al Mahdi was already on earth.

6. Temporary marriage is rejected in Sunni, but still practiced in Shi'i.

7. Sunni holy cities are- Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Shi'i holy cities are- Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, Najaf, Karbala.

8. Sunni major holidays are- Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Shi'i major holidays are- Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Ashura.

[Map of Muslims in the Middle East]












Sunni-Shi'i comparison