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Please Note Well: It is not our
intent to belittle, unduly criticize, or “bash” anyone who may hold
religious or political persuasions or opinions other than our own. Even
though we may absolutely and totally disagree with your opinion, we will
defend to the death your G-d-given right to hold it.
Since this website was originally launched in 1995, we have continually
held the position that We are not “anti-”anybody; we are only pro-Truth
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The Three Major Sects of Islam
by Grady L. Davis, M.Div., Ph.D.
Former Chairman of Directed Individualized Studies
Golden State School of Theology, Oakland, CA ©1983,2003,2010
1. Wahhabi: This group tends to be the most strict
and “puritanical.” Mohammed Ibn Abd al-Wahhab founded the sect in the
eighteenth century by preaching strict adherence to the Qur’an. Saudi
Arabia’s moralistic, authoritarian rule is an example of Wahhabi devotion.
2. Shi’ites: Their name means “partisans.” They
believe that only descendants of Mohammad’s family are the rightful heirs
to spiritual leadership. Found mainly in Iran, Yemen, Algeria, and Iraq,
Shi’ites tend to revere the Shari’a (thought not as fervently as the
Wahhabi). About ten percent of all Muslims belong to this branch of Islam.
Their leaders, Imams, wield dogmatic spiritual authority, as in the case
of the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran. Some Shi’ites believe that a twelfth
Imam who disappeared in A.D. 882 will return someday as a messiah, the
Madhi (guided one), to establish a kingdom on earth. The sub-sect
Ismailis believe that an Imam of sinless perfection with the power to
perform miracles always dwells on earth. They are firmly entrenched today
as a merchant class in India and East Africa. The Aga Khan is their Imam.
3. Sunnites: Those who follow the tradition of the
prophet are called Sunnites. They compose ninety percent of all Muslims.
Since Mohammad left no clear instructions concerning his successor,
Sunnites decided their Islamic leader should be nominated by
representatives of the community. The “ulama” Sunnite religious scholars
have less authority than the Imam and are considered to be teachers and
wise sages. Sunnites accept the line of successions as passing through the
four caliphs: Abu Bakr, Omar, Othman, and Ali.
Evangelical Christians should not be
resentful of the seeming arrogance displayed by the present Arabic
spiritual descendants of Mohammad. G-d did promise to make of
Ishmael’s offspring a great nation (Gen. 16:9-11; 17:20; 21:13, 18;
25:12-18). Their ascent might be viewed as a fulfillment of biblical
prophecy.
http://familybible.org/BeitMidrash/CultsAndReligions/Religions/Islam/MajorSectsOfIslam.htm
Page last revised on
Friday, 22 February 2013
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