May God forgive me if I have transgressed.

Ashura is a divisive time for Islam, and vested interests exacerbate the differences between the two major sects. 90% of Muslims of the world are Sunni. 10% are Shia. The schism that developed between the two streams is mostly evident in Iran, Iraq and Yemen–there is a fault line in Pakistan and a divergence in Bharat (aka India) also. Before 1947, Lucknow the was the cultural and religious capital of Shiadom. After independence the Shia diaspora collected itself in various cities of Pakistan. Being a minority, they are somewhat unified and assist each other in many ways. Sunnis complain of a cultural on slought, and Shia in Pakistan cry discrimination. Many of Pakistani leaders have been Shia–most notably Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Ms. Benazir Bhutto. Z.A. Bhutto prayed like Sunnis. Many Shia claim that Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was also a Shia. About 10%-15% of the Pakistani population is Shia–however some Shia claim that as many as 25% of Pakistan is Shia. The two major organizationsn that face off are the Sipah e Sahaba and the Fiqah e Jafferia. Both organizations have on occasion turned violent and the SSP was banned by President Prevez Musharraf. Its successor organization is called Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ). Some members of the ASWJ do not consider the Shia Muslim, and many members of the Tehreek e jafria do not consider either the companions of the prophet (except Ali) or todays Sunnis as Muslims.

Given these cultural, political and religious differences, is it possible to collect the pieces and build a joint Fiqah in Pakistan. The political leadership of a nation state has been able to change religious realities. The British sovereign seceded from the Vatican and created the Church of England. The Spanish Inquisition was slightly separated from the Catholics outside Spain and Portugal. Martin Luther rebelled against the Pope.

Today Sunnis have no political, religious or cultural leadership. The Shia until recently had a unified command in the major Ayotallah’s. However, this has begun to change a bit. The Iranian revolution is beginning to show some signs of a schism in Iran. The followers of Ayotallah Montezari are not going to vanish away into the night. In Iarq too, the followers of Sadar are not totally committed to Ayotallah Sastani. There has always been a gulf between Qom and Karbala.Pakistani shia mostly follow Qom, but some do follow Karbala/Baghdad.

Concepts between the Sunnah and  Shia

Adherents called Sunnis and Shia or Shi’i

Meaning of name: Sunnis are “Well-trodden path” or “tradition” Shia are “Party” or “Partisans” of Ali

Percentage of total Muslims Sunnis are 90% Shia are 10%

Primary locations Most Muslim countries Shia are mainly in ran, Iraq, Yemen

Subsects Sunnis do not have any subsects, but four major schools of Muslim law are recognized

Shia have many sects: Ithna ‘Ashariyah (Twelvers; the largest), Isma’iliyah and Zaydiyah

Origins Sunni concepts originated in 632 CE;

Shia concepts originated in c. 650 CE; killing of Ali’s  son Husayn in 680 CE is major event. Theology developed in 10th cent.

Did Prophet Muhammad designate a successor? Sunnis say No Shia say Yes

True successor of the Prophet Sunis support the election of Abu Bakr, father of the Prophet’s  wife, ‘A’ishah (elected by people of Medina)

Shia think that ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of the  Prophet’s daughter Fatimah (designated by the Prophet) should have been the successor of the prophet and all others are illegal occupants of caliph’s post.

Qualifications for ruler of Islam  Any qualified ruler is acceptable to the Sunnis Shia consider the bloodline of Alo. Any ribe of the Prophet (Quraysh);  later, family of the Prophet

Current leaders Sunnis do not believe in leaders–but mujtahids come closest

Shias beleive in the Imams (example Khomeni, Sistani,  Montezeri etc.)

Identity of imams Human leaders

Shias believe in imams as infallible manifestations of God and  perfect interpreters of the Qur’an

Five Pillars Shahadah (One God and Muhammad prophet period), 5 prayers, Fasting, Pilgrimage (Haj to Mecca), Zakat (2.5 “tiething” for poor)

Kalima (God, Prophet, Ali, Wasih), 3 Prayers, Fasting (longer), Pilgrimage (Karbala primary, Mecca),  Ascendancy of Ali– repudiation of other three caliphs)

Shahadah The Sunnis shahada is shorter and simpler: There is one God and Muhammad is is prophet

There is one God and Muhammad is  prophet, Ali is Wali, and Wasih is Rasul

Pligrimage Sunnis believe in pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime

To Karbala as many times as  possible. To Mecca once in a lifetime

Companions of Prophet Sunnis believe in the Noble companions Abu Bakar, Omar, Usman, Muawiyah, and Ayesha hundreds of others

Shia believe in Ali and his family. Others are rejected

Major contention The event of Karbala and its interpretation.

Sunnis are neutral in placinng blame on wars between companions

The only acceptbale leaders are those who are in the bloodline of  Ali. All others are impsters andsome consider them Non-Muslims

Yazid Accepted as a Caliph by most Sunnis, specially Bokhari and Ghazali–Sunnis do not damn or condemn any companions of the prophet

Shias damn Yazid. Much of Moharram (30 days) is spent in this venture

Al Mahdi Sunnis believe in he will come in the future

Shias believe that Mehdi already on earth, is  currently the “hidden imam” who  works through mujtahids to     He will will return at  the end of time

Religious authority other than the Qu’ran Ijma’

(consensus) of the Muslim community Infallible imams

Concealing faith  (taqiya) Not accepted unless under threat of death

Taqqiya (hidden faith) is  emphasized by the Shia

Temporary marriage (mut’ah) Banned by the Prophet’s, eliminated by Umar, and now rejected Still practiced

Holy cities Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem are holy to Islam

For Shia the following cities are holy: Qom, Karbala, Najaf, Mecca,  Medina, Jerusalem

Major holidays Sunni believe in Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr Shia believe in Eid al-Adha, Eid al-Fitr, Ashura

The leadership of the Pakistani Shia and the Sunni must get together bury the hatchet and form a joint Fiqah, so that the enemies of Islam can be defeated.

The joint Fiqah can be formed on the following principles:

1. Acceptance of God and Prophet as the religion of Islam.
2. No “Tabarrah” on the companions of the prophet.
3. Acceptance of all Nobel Caliphs.
4. Reaffirmation and Recognition of Ali as a great Muslim.
5. Minor cultural aspects of Shiism can be carried on at a personal level.
6. Elimination of all discrimination against any sect, specifically Shias

May God forgive me if I have transgressed. Please let us know if there are any corrections.