Sunni Islam

Sunni Islam Quick Facts

Formed	632 CE
Origin	Middle East
Followers	940,000,000
Deity	Allah
Sacred Texts	Qur'an, Sunnah
Headquarters	None

Sunni Islam

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The followers of Sunni Islam, one of the two major branches of the tradition (the other is Shi'a), make up approximately 80% of the Muslim population in the world. The Sunni are the majority in most Islamic countries outside of Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain. Sunna - translated variously as the "trodden path," "the way," "example," or "habitual practice" - refers to the example or path of the Prophet Mohammed and his followers. The Sunni and Shi'a both trace their differences to the 7th century C.E., when disagreements over the successor to the Prophet Mohammed arose. The Sunni maintain that the Muslim community was to select the Prophet's successor (caliph) to lead, whereas the Shi'a believe the Prophet chose his son-in-law, Ali, to be his successor. Although Sunnis and Shi'as agree on many theological and practical matters, the Sunni are typically seen as putting more emphasis on the power of God and his determination of human fate, and are often understood to be more inclusive in their definition of what it means to be a Muslim. The Sunni tradition has placed great emphasis on the role of religion in public and political life, with great weight placed on the Shari'a (Islamic law) as the standard for a broad range of social issues - marriage, divorce, inheritance, commerce, and so on.

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Glossary

Sunni Islam

Sunni Islam Quick Facts

Sunni Islam

Sunni Islam Overview

-- Sunni Islam Beginnings

-- Sunni Islam Influences

-- Sunni Islam Founders

-- Sunni Islam Scriptures

-- Sunni Islam Historical Perspectives

-- Sunni Islam Early Developments

-- Sunni Islam Schisms, Sects

-- Sunni Islam Exploration, Conquest, Empire (incl. violence, persecution)

-- Sunni Islam Missions, Spread, Changes, Regional Adaptations

-- Sunni Islam Modern Age

-- Sunni Islam Sacred Narratives

-- Sunni Islam Ultimate Reality and Divine Beings

-- Sunni Islam Human Nature and the Purpose of Existence

-- Sunni Islam Suffering and the Problem of Evil

-- Sunni Islam Afterlife and Salvation

-- Sunni Islam Sacred Time

-- Sunni Islam Sacred Space

-- Sunni Islam Rites and Ceremonies

-- Sunni Islam Worship and Devotion in Daily Life

-- Sunni Islam Symbolism

-- Sunni Islam Leadership/Clergy

-- Sunni Islam Community Organization and Structure

-- Sunni Islam Principles of Moral Thought and Action

-- Sunni Islam Vision for Society

-- Sunni Islam Gender and Sexuality

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