Faith in Islam

This section explains faith in Islam. Islam is divided into two main branches: Sunni and Shi’a. Of these, Sunni Islam is the largest, while Shi’a Islam is the second largest. Although they differ in certain beliefs and practices, Sunni and Shi’a Muslims agree on the core principles of Islam, such as the belief in one God (Allah), the importance of the Prophets, and the guidance provided by the Qur’an.

Both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims regard the Qur’an as the final and most important revelation from God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Despite these shared beliefs, the division between the two branches arose from a dispute over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as the leader of the Muslim community after his death. This disagreement led to the formation of two distinct branches, each with its own interpretation of leadership and religious practices.

Shi'a Islam

Shi’a Islam is the second largest branch of Islam and is itself further divided into three main sub-groups, with the largest group being Twelver Shi’a. One of the central beliefs in Shi’a Islam is that the Prophet Muhammad selected his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as his rightful successor. As a result, Shi’a Muslims do not accept the authority of the first three Sunni caliphs (the leaders who succeeded Muhammad after his death) and instead hold that leadership should have passed directly to Ali and his descendants.

In Shi’a Islam, the role of the imam is particularly significant. Unlike in Sunni Islam, where an imam is typically seen as the leader of prayer in a mosque, in Shi’a Islam an imam is believed to have a much broader spiritual and political authority. The imam is seen as a divinely appointed leader who is capable of interpreting the Qur’an’s message and guiding the community on matters of faith and law. This makes the imam an essential figure in Shi’a religious life, with the belief that imams possess special knowledge and spiritual authority, which has been passed down through generations.

Shi’a Muslims view their imams not just as religious leaders but as protectors of the true message of Islam, ensuring that the community follows the correct interpretation of the Qur’an and its teachings. The leadership of the imams is considered an integral part of Shi’a Islam and is central to their identity as a distinct branch of Islam.