sarah+g

Sarah Shiites Religious Practices and Beliefs Did you know Muhammad founded the Islam religion in the seventh century? After his death in 632, his followers could not agree on the rightful successor, so two branches of the religion were formed. The biggest branch is Sunnism, which is approximately 90% of the Muslim world.(Shenkman, Rick 1). Shiism, the second branch, has 10% of the Muslim population as followers. Even though they are separate religions, they share common beliefs, traditions, and doctrines. They both believe that the Prophet Muhammad was the messenger of Allah. Also both groups believed that they must follow the revelations given to Muhammad by Allah and by the hadith. Striving for goodness, social justice and having a sense of piety are all fundamental beliefs of the Islamic people. They also agreed that all Muslims are supposed to live by the five pillars of Islam: (1) shahada - recital of the creed “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is His Prophet”; (2) salat - five obligatory prayers in a day; (3) zakat - giving alms to the poor; (4) sawm - fasting from sunrise to sunset during the month of Ramadan; and (5) hajj - making a pilgrimage to Mecca once during a lifetime, if one is physically and financially able.(Shiites 1). The most significant difference between the two branches is they disagree on who the legitimate person should be to take Muhammad’s place as their religious leader. Shiites chose bloodline successors and Sunnis wanted leaders most likely to follow the doctrines of the Islam faith. Sunnis selected Abu Bakr, Prophet Muhammad’s adviser, to become the first successor to lead the Muslim world. The Shiites chose Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law to be the f irst successor. Since the death of Prophet Muhammad, both groups have assassinated the leaders of the other group. One of the most important Shiite doctrine is called the doctrine of the Imamate. The Shii Imam is the leader of the Shiite Muslim community and “must be a direct descendent of the P. Muhammad.” (“Islam United?” 2) The Imam is “both sinless and absolutely infallible in his pronouncements on dogma and indeed, in all matters.”(“Islam United?” 2). Shii sects believe the Imam, is “an incarnation of Allah and a bearer of the divine substance” (“Islam United?” 3). All Shiites believe that one of the Imam’s jobs is to intercede on behalf of his followers in the afterlife. The majority of Shiites believe there have been twelve Imams. The twelfth Imam is believed to have disappeared. Shiites believe he will return “at the end of the world to vindicate his loyal followers, restore the community to its rightful place, and usher in a perfect Islamic society in which truth and justice will prevail.”(“Islam United?” 3) The five Shiite principles of religion are tawhid (belief in divine unity), nubuwwah (prophecy), ma’ad (resurrection), the imamah (the doctrine of the Imamate), and ‘adl (divine justice). (“Islam United?” 3) Sunnism and Shiism agree on tawhid, nubuwwah and ma’ad, but don’t agree on the other two. Many Sunnis do not agree with the Shiites using art forms depicting human beings. The Shii people also make pilgrimages to holy places, such as tombs of past Imams and saints. Some of the other distinct Shiite beliefs and practices include, taquiyah and mutah. Taquiyah is when “a man hides his religion or certain of his religion practices in situations that would cause definite or probable danger as a result of the actions of those who are opposed to his religion or particular religious practices.” Mutah is a temporary marriage. One of the holiest days in the Shiite calender is the Holy Day of Ashura. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnHsMTc5X6k.(Haideri4Eva). This holy day is a day of remembrance of Prophet Muhammad’s son, Hussein, who was murdered near the town of Karbala. Legend says that Hussein and less than one-hundred followers challenged the dictator Caliph Yazid and his Sunni army of thousands. It being an uneven match, Hussein and most of his family lost their lives. The day Hussein was killed is memorialized by thousands of Shiites performing acts of self-mutilation. Walking in the streets for everyone to see, some of the Shiites beat themselves and cut their bodies untilthey bleed. http://voicethread.com/#q.b125819.i655096.(Ashura Picture). They believe this tradition strengthens their religious traditions and beliefs. The ideas of martyrdom and survival through persecution have become part of the Shiite religion. Even though the Muslim people are fighting among themselves, they believe their differences are minor and insignificant. They still feel their community is united in essential belief. People that go to Islam have said that the feeling of oneness within the community is very surprising because of the constant fighting going on. __ Works Cited Page __ Ashura Picture. 2008.. Haideri4Eva.__Ashura__.2008. 1 May 2008<. [|www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnHsMTc5X6k] >. __Islam United?__.2008.1 May 2008.< rim.org/muslim/shiite.htm>. Pearson Education. __Shiites__. 2006. 28 April 2008 < [|http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0844916.html >. Shenkman, Rick. __Shiites__. 2006. 29 April 2008. . __Shiites__. 2008. 1 May 2008 < [|www.fas.org/spg/crs/misc/RS21745.pdf] >.