Sunnis, Shiites, Alawites - the names of these and other religious groups of Islam can often be found in the news today, but for many these words do not mean anything.
Sunnis
The broadest trend in Islam.
What does the name mean
In Arabic: ahl as-sunna wal-jamaa ("people of the Sunnah and the consent of the community"). The first part of the name means following the path of the prophet (ahl as-sunna), and the second - recognition of the great mission of the prophet and his companions in solving problems, following their path.
The Sunnah is the second foundational book of Islam after the Koran. This is an oral tradition, later formalized in the form of hadiths, sayings of the prophet's associates about the sayings and actions of Muhammad.
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Although originally oral in nature, it is the main guide for Muslims.
When did it arise
After the death of Caliph Uthman in 656.
How many adherents
About one and a half billion people. 90% of all Muslims.
Main areas of residence
All over the world: Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Bashkiria, Tatarstan, Kazakhstan, the countries of Central Asia (except for Iran, Azerbaijan and part of the adjacent territories).
Ideas and customs
Sunnis are very sensitive to following the Sunnah of the prophet. The Koran and Sunnah are two main sources of faith, however, if the life problem is not described in them, you should trust your reasonable choice.
Six collections of hadiths (Ibn-Maji, al-Nasai, Imam Muslim, al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi) are considered reliable.
The reign of the first four Islamic princes - caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali is considered righteous.
In Islam, madhhabs are also developed - legal schools and akids - “concepts of faith”. Sunnis recognize four madhhabs (Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanafi, and Shabali) and three concepts of faith (Maturidism, Ash'arite teachings, and Asariyah).
Shiites
What does the name mean
Shiya - "followers", "followers".
When did it arise
After the death of Caliph Uthman, revered by the Muslim community, in 656.
How many adherents
According to various estimates, from 10 to 20 percent of all Muslims. The number of Shiites may be around 200 million.
Main areas of residence
Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon.
Ideas and customs
The only righteous Caliph is the Prophet's cousin and uncle, Caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib. According to the Shiites, he is the only one who was born in the Kaaba - the main shrine of the Mohammedans in Mecca.
Shiites are distinguished by the belief that the leadership of the ummah (Muslim community) should be carried out by the highest clerics, chosen by Allah - imams, intermediaries between God and man.
The first twelve imams from the clan of Ali (who lived in 600-874 from Ali to Mahdi) are recognized as saints.
The latter is considered to have mysteriously disappeared ("hidden" by God), he must appear before the End of the World in the form of a messiah.
The main stream of Shiites is Twelver Shiites, who are traditionally called Shiites. The school of law that corresponds to them is the Jafarite madhhab. There are a lot of Shiite sects and trends: they are Ismailis, Druze, Alawites, Zaidis, Sheikhites, Kaisanites, Yarsan.
Holy places
Mosques of Imam Hussein and al-Abbas in Karbala (Iraq), Imam Ali Mosque in Al-Najaf (Iraq), Imam Reza Mosque in Mashhad (Iran), Ali-Askari Mosque in Samarra (Iraq).
Sufis
What does the name mean
Sufism or tasawwuf comes according to different versions from the word "suf" (wool) or "as-safa" (purity). Also, originally, the expression "ahl as-suffa" (people of the bench) meant the poor companions of Muhammad who lived in his mosque. They were distinguished by their asceticism.
When did it arise
VIII century. It is divided into three periods: asceticism (zuhd), Sufism (tasawwuf), and the period of Sufi brotherhoods (tarikat).
How many adherents
Today's followers are few in number, but they can be found in a wide variety of countries.
Main areas of residence
In almost all Islamic countries, as well as in individual groups in the United States and Western Europe.
Ideas and customs
Muhammad, according to the Sufis, indicated by his example the path of spiritual education of the individual and society - asceticism, contentment with little, contempt for earthly goods, wealth and power. The Askhabs (companions of Muhammad) and Ahl al-Suffa (people of the bench) also followed the right path. Asceticism was inherent in many subsequent hadith collectors, Qur'an readers and jihadists (Mujahideen).
The main features of Sufism are very strict adherence to the Koran and Sunnah, reflections on the meaning of the Koran, additional prayers and fasting, renunciation of everything worldly, the cult of poverty, refusal to cooperate with the authorities. Sufi teachings have always focused on a person, his intentions and awareness of truths.
Many Islamic scholars and philosophers were Sufis. Tariqats are real monastic orders of Sufis, sung in Islamic culture. Murids, students of Sufi sheikhs, were brought up in modest monasteries and cells scattered across the deserts. Dervishes are hermit monks. Among the Sufis, they could be found very often.
Asaria
Sunni school of belief, most adherents are Salafis.
What does the name mean
Asar means "trace", "legend", "quote".
When did it arise
IX century.
Ideas
They deny kalam (Muslim philosophy) and adhere to a strict and direct reading of the Qur'an. In their opinion, people should not come up with a rational explanation for unclear places in the text, but accept them as they are. It is believed that the Koran was not created by anyone, but is the direct speech of God. Anyone who denies this is not considered Muslim.
Salafis
They are most often associated with Islamic fundamentalists.
What does the name mean
As-salaf - "ancestors", "predecessors". As-salaf al-salihun - a call to follow the lifestyle of righteous ancestors.
When did it arise
It takes shape in the IX-XIV centuries.
How many adherents
According to American Islamic experts, the number of Salafis around the world could reach 50 million.
Main areas of residence
They are distributed in small groups throughout the Islamic world. Found in India, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan and even in Western Europe.
Ideas
Belief in the unconditionally one God, rejection of innovations, alien cultural admixtures in Islam. Salafis are the main critics of the Sufis. It is considered a Sunni movement.
Notable representatives
Salafis classify the Islamic theologians as Ash-Shafi'i, Ibn Hanbal and Ibn Taymiyyah as their teachers. The well-known organization “Muslim Brotherhood” is cautiously ranked among the Salafis.
Wahhabis
What does the name mean
Wahhabism or al-Wahhabiyya is understood in Islam as the rejection of innovations or everything that was not in the original Islam, the cultivation of decisive monotheism and the rejection of the worship of saints, the struggle for the purification of religion (jihad). Named for the Arab theologian Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab
When did it arise
In the 18th century.
How many adherents
In some countries, the number can reach 5% of all Muslims, however, there are no exact statistics.
Main areas of residence
Small groups in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula and dotted throughout the Islamic world. Region of origin - Arabia.
Ideas
They share Salafi ideas, which is why the names are often used interchangeably. However, the name "Wahhabis" is often understood as derogatory.
Mutazilites
What does the name mean
"Separated", "retired". Self-name - ahl al-adl va-tawhid (people of justice and monotheism).
When did it arise
VIII-IX centuries.
Ideas
One of the first major directions in Kalama (literally: "word", "speech", reasoning on the topic of religion and philosophy) Basic principles:
- justice (al-adl): God gives free will, but cannot violate the established best, just order;
- monotheism (al-tawhid): denial of polytheism and human likeness, the eternity of all divine attributes, but the absence of the eternity of speech, from which the creation of the Koran follows;
- fulfillment of promises: God certainly fulfills all promises and threats;
- an intermediate state: a Muslim who has committed a grave sin leaves the number of believers, but does not become an unbeliever;
- command and approval: a Muslim must fight evil by all means.
Houthis (zeidis, jarudis)
What does the name mean
The name "Jarudites" comes from the name of Abul-Jarud Hamdani, a disciple of Ash-Shafi'i. And the "Houthis" on the leader of the group "Ansar Allah" (assistants or protectors of Allah) Hussein al-Husi.
When did it arise
The teachings of the Zeidis - the 8th century, the Jarudites - the 9th century.
The Houthis are a movement at the end of the 20th century.
How many adherents
Estimated around 7 million.
Main areas of residence
Yemen
Ideas and customs
Zeidism (named after the theologian Zeid ibn Ali) is the original Islamic trend, to which the Jarudites and Houthis belong. The Zeidis believe that the imams must be from the clan of Ali, but reject his divine nature. They reject the doctrine of the "hidden" imam, the "prudent concealment of faith", the human likeness of God and absolute predestination. The Jarudites believe that Ali was chosen as the caliph for descriptive reasons only. The Houthis are the modern organization of the Jarudite Zeidis.
Kharijites
What does the name mean
“Speakers”, “left”.
When did it arise
After the battle between Ali and Mu'awiya in 657.
How many adherents
Small groups, no more than 2 million worldwide.
Main areas of residence
Oman
Ideas and customs
They share the main views of the Sunnis, however, they recognize only the first two righteous caliphs - Umar and Abu Bakr, advocate the equality of all Muslims of the Ummah (Arabs and other peoples), for the election of the caliphs and their possession of only executive power.
Islam distinguishes between great sins (polytheism, slander, killing a believer, fleeing the battlefield, weak faith, adultery, committing a minor sin in Mecca, homosexuality, perjury, living on interest, drinking alcohol, pork, carrion) and minor sins (not recommended and prohibited actions).
According to the Kharijites, a Muslim is equated with an infidel for a great sin.
Ibadites
One of the main "primordial" directions of Islam, together with Shiism and Sunnism.
What does the name mean
By the name of the theologian Abdullah ibn Ibad.
When did it arise
At the end of the 7th century.
How many adherents
Less than 2 million worldwide.
Main areas of residence
Oman.
Ideas and customs
According to the Ibadis, any Muslim can be the imam of the community, referring to the hadith about the prophet, in which Muhammad argued that even if the “Ethiopian slave with his nostrils pulled out” establishes the law of Islam in the community, he must be obeyed.
By the way, in Oman there are indeed many black immigrants (kara) from Ethiopia and East Africa.
Abu Bakr and Umar are considered righteous caliphs. The Imam must be the full-fledged head of the community: a judge, a military leader, and an expert on the Koran. Unlike the Sunnis, they believe that hell lasts forever, the Koran was created by people, and God cannot be seen even in Paradise or imagined like a man.
Azrakites and Najdites
It is believed that the Wahhabis are the most radical branch of Islam, but in the past there were much more intolerant trends.
What does the name mean
The name of the Azrakites by the name of the spiritual leader is Abu Rashid Nafi ibn al-Azraq, the Najdites are named after the founder of Nadzhda ibn Amir al-Hanafi.
When did it arise
VII century.
Azarkite ideas and customs
A radical offshoot of Kharijism. They rejected the Shiite principle of "prudent concealment of one's faith" (for example, on pain of death and other extreme cases). Caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib (revered by many Muslims), Uthman ibn Affan and their followers were considered non-believers. The Azrakites considered the uncontrolled territories to be the "land of war" (dar al-harb), and the population living on it was subject to destruction. The Azrakites tested those who had migrated to them by proposing to kill the slave. Those who refused were killed themselves.
Ideas and customs of the Najdites
The existence of a caliph in religion is not necessary; there can be self-government in a community. The murder of Christians, Muslims and other non-Christians is permissible. In Sunni territories, you can hide your beliefs. The one who sinned does not become unfaithful. Only those who persist in their sin, committing it repeatedly, can become unfaithful. One of the sects, which later broke away from the Najdites, even allowed marriages with granddaughters.
Ismailis
What does the name mean
By the name of the son of the sixth Shiite imam Jafar al-Sadiq - Ismail.
When did it arise
End of the 8th century.
How many adherents
About 20 million
Main areas of residence
India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Syria, Iran, Arabia, Yemen, East Africa, Lebanon, expats in English-speaking countries.
Ideas
Ismailism carries some of the features of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and small ancient cults. The adherents believe that Allah inspired his divine spirit in the prophets from Adam to Muhammad. Each prophet is accompanied by a "samit" (silent) who only interprets the words of the prophet. With each appearance of such a prophet, Allah reveals to people the secrets of the universal mind and divine truth.
Man has complete free will. 7 prophets should come to the world, and between their appearances the community should be ruled by 7 imams. The return of the last prophet - Muhammad, the son of Ismail, will be the last incarnation of God, after which divine reason and justice will reign.
Notable Ismailis
Nasir Khosrov, Tajik philosopher of the 11th century;
Ferdowsi, the great 10th century Persian poet, author of the Shahnameh;
Rudaki, Tajik poet, IX-X century;
Yakub ibn Killis, Jewish scholar, founder of the Al-Azhar University of Cairo (X century);
Nasir al-Din Tusi, 13th century Persian mathematician, mechanic and astronomer.
Fact
It was the Nizari Ismailis, who used individual terror against the Turks, who were called assassins.
Druze
What does the name mean
Named after one of the founders of the movement, Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ismail ad-Darazi, an Ismaili preacher who used the most radical methods of preaching. However, the Druze themselves use the self-designation "muvahhidun" ("united" or "monotheists"). Moreover, they often have a negative attitude towards ad-Darazi and consider the name "Druze" offensive.
When did it arise
XI century.
How many adherents
More than 3 million people. The origin of the Druze is controversial: some consider them the descendants of the oldest Arab tribe, others - a mixed Arab-Persian (according to other versions, Arab-Kurdish or Arab-Aramaic) population who arrived in these lands many centuries ago.
Main areas of residence
Syria, Lebanon, Israel.
Ideas
The Druze are considered an offshoot of the Ismailis. Druz is considered a person by birth, and he cannot switch to another religion. They accept the principle of "prudent concealment of faith", while deceiving the Gentiles for the sake of the interests of the community is not condemned. The highest spiritual persons are called ajavid (perfect). In conversation with Muslims, they usually position themselves as Muslims, however, in Israel, they often define doctrine as an independent religion. They believe in the transmigration of souls.
The Druze do not have polygamy, prayer is not required and can be replaced by meditation, there is no fasting, but is replaced by periods of silence (refraining from revealing the truth to the uninitiated). Zakat (charity in favor of the poor) is not provided for, but is perceived as mutual assistance. Of the holidays, Eid al-Adha (Eid al-Adha) and Ashur's day of mourning are celebrated. As in the rest of the Arab world, in the presence of a stranger, a woman must hide her face. Everything that comes from God (both good and evil) must be accepted unconditionally.
Ashrites
The school of religious philosophy, on which the legal schools of the Shafi'i and Maliki are based.
What does the name mean
By the name of the philosopher of the IX-X centuries Abul-Hasan al-Ashari
When did it arise
X century.
Ideas
They are located between the Mu'tazilites and the supporters of the Asari school, as well as between the Qadarites (supporters of free will) and the Jabarites (supporters of predestination).
The Quran was created by humans, but its meaning is the creation of Allah. Man only appropriates the actions created by God. The righteous can see Allah in Paradise, but this cannot be explained. Reason is more important than religious tradition, and Sharia only regulates everyday issues, but still any reasonable evidence is based on the basic dogmas of faith.
Alavites (Nusayrites) and Alevis (Kyzylbashi)
What does the name mean
The movement received the name "Alawites" by the name of the Prophet Ali, and the "Nusayrites" by the name of one of the founders of the sect, Muhammad ibn Nusayr, a disciple of the eleventh Imam of the Shiites.
When did it arise
IX century.
How many adherents
About 5 million Alawites, several million Alevis (no exact estimates).
Main areas of residence
Syria, Turkey (mostly Alevis), Lebanon.
Ideas and customs of the Alawites
Like the Druze, they practice takiya (concealment of religious views, mimicry under the rites of another religion), they consider their religion a secret knowledge accessible to the elect.
Alawites are similar to the Druze also in that they have gone as far as possible from other directions of Islam. They pray only twice a day, they are allowed to drink wine for ritual purposes and fast for only two weeks.
It is very difficult to compose a picture of the religion of the Alawites for the reasons indicated above. It is known that they deify the family of Muhammad, consider Ali to be the embodiment of Divine Meaning, Muhammad - the Name of God, Salman al-Farisi - the Gateway to God (a gnostically meaningful idea of the "Eternal Trinity"). It is considered impossible to know God, but he was revealed by the incarnation of Ali in the seven prophets (from Adam, including Isa (Jesus) to Muhammad).
According to Christian missionaries, Alawites venerate Jesus, Christian apostles and saints, celebrate Christmas and Easter, read the Gospel at services, partake with wine, and use Christian names.
However, these data may also be inaccurate, given the principle of taqiya. Some Alawites consider Ali to be the embodiment of the Sun, the other part - the Moon; one group is light worshipers, the other worships darkness. In such cults, echoes of pre-Islamic beliefs (Zoroastrianism and paganism) are visible. Alawite women still often remain uninitiated in religion, they are not allowed to worship. Only descendants of the Alawites can be “Chosen”. The rest are amma, ordinary unenlightened people. The community is headed by an imam.
Alevi ideas and customs
It is customary to separate Alevites from the Alawites. They revere Ali (more precisely, the trinity: Muhammad-Ali-Truth), as well as the twelve imams as the divine aspects of the universe and some other saints. Their principles include respect for people, regardless of religion or nation. Labor is revered. They do not observe the basic Islamic rites (pilgrimage, fivefold prayer, fasting in Ramadan), do not go to the mosque, but pray in their homes.
Famous Alawites
Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria.
Takfirites
What does the name mean
Takfir is an accusation of disbelief.
When did it arise
Mostly modern trend, XX century.
Ideas and customs
A radical trend that encourages religious issues without gathering ulema, theologians and legal scholars. How some Kharijite schools deal with accusations of disbelief and even murder. Political assassinations are frequent. A number of organizations have been recognized by the RF as terrorist and extremist.
Koranites
When did it arise
For the first time, such ideas were expressed in the 9th century, but the modern trend spread in the 20th century.
Ideas and customs
They reject the authority of hadith and sunnah and rely only on the Qur'an. Women can become imams, they do not need to wear a hijab, and men do not need to wear a beard. Polygamy is allowed only when orphans are adopted. Pilgrimage to Mecca and circumcision are optional.
Maturidites
Sunni School of Religious Thought.
What does the name mean
By the name of the philosopher Abu Mansour al-Maturidi.
When did it arise
X century
Ideas
Maturidites believe that in addition to revelation, you can rely on your own mind and its arguments, but the Quran is an uncreated word of God. They recognize that a person has his own will, but his choice is made with the help of God's power. The righteous in their worldview will be able to see Allah in Paradise.
It is believed that Muslims will never remain in hell forever, even if they do not repent, and the punishment will be only proportionate to sin.
Maturidism in the Hanafi legal school is accepted as a dogma.
Islamic law schools
Hanafi madhhab
What does the name mean
By the name of the theologian Abu Hanif
When did it arise
VIII century
Country
Albania, Turkey, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Syria, Azerbaijan, Uyguria. In Russia - Tatars, Crimean Tatars, Bashkirs, Nogais, Karachais, Balkars, Circassians, Kabardians, Abazins, part of the Kumyks in Dagestan.
Provisions
Sources of religious law - the Koran, Sunnah, the statements of the companions of the Prophet, ijma (the unanimous opinion of theologians), judgments by analogy, preferred and expedient solutions in the absence of a convincing hadith or a clear indication in Revelation, urf (common customs and opinions not reflected in the Shariah).
Maliki madhhab
What does the name mean
Named after theologian Malik ibn Anas
When did it arise
VIII century
Country
North African countries, Kuwait
Provisions
Sources of religious law are the Koran (obvious and unambiguous verses), sunnah, "deeds of the Madina" (tradition of Medina), fatwas (legal decisions) of the Companions, judgments by analogy, the preferred solution to the problem in case of ambiguity in Revelation.
Shafi'i madhhab
What does the name mean
By the name of theologian ash-Shafi'i
When did it arise
IX century
Country
Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Kurdistan, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Somalia.
Provisions
Sources of religious law - the Quran and Sunnah (preference for the Quran, explicit and clear meanings), the statements of the Prophet's associates, not refuted by others, their general opinion, judgments by analogy
Hanbali madhhab
What does the name mean
Named after the Muslim jurist Ahmad ibn Hanbal
When did it arise
IX century
Country
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman
Provisions
The sources of religious law are the Koran, Sunnah, fatwas and the opinions of the prophet's companions, ijma (the general opinion of theologians and jurists), istishab (the duration of any fatwa until new evidence is presented). Recognizes open research on religious and philosophical issues.
Jafarite madhhab
The only Shiite madhhab, unlike previous Sunni
What does the name mean
According to the founder - Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad al-Sadik
When did it arise
VIII century
Country
Shiites of Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Provisions
The sources of religious law are the Koran, Sunnah, Ijma (unanimous opinion of authoritative clergy) and Akl ("reason"). Recognize the very first hadiths of Muhammad's companions, the principle of “prudent concealment of faith” and temporary marriage.