Division within the Islamic community

Sunnites
• They base their religious faith and practice not only on the Qur’an but also on the Sunnah, the “directions” given by the Prophet in word and deed, which were handed down by diverse witnesses in the form of traditional reports and stories (hadith).
• They hold that the Caliph must be from the tribe of the Prophet and thus recognize the first four Caliphs as legitimate.
• They form the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the world today.

Shiites
• Their name identifies them as followers of the party (shia) of Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, who was murdered in 661 after a short rule as Caliph.
• They have their own traditions (hadith) according to which Ali was the first leader
(imam) appointed by the Prophet and thus the first rightful successor (caliph).
• They number only about 10 to 15% of today’s Muslims and are found particularly in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon.

Kharijites
• Their name is literally translated “those who go out”.
• Neither tribal nor familial relations count; the office of the Caliph belongs to the most pious Muslim whatever his descent.
• They preached strict observance of the teachings of the Qur’an in defiance of corrupt authorities.
• They opposed the Sunnite authorities, emphasizing the equality of all Muslims.
• Today they are represented only by small groups in the Maghreb, in Oman and in Zanzibar, who however reject the name “Kharijite”.