Faith
There are two main branches of Islam - SunniMuslims who believe in the successorship of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali as leaders of the Muslim community after the Prophet Muhammad. and ’a MuslimThe word 'Shi'a' comes from a phrase meaning 'followers of Ali'. Shi'a Muslims believe that Ali succeeded the Prophet Muhammad.. Sunni is the largest branch of Islam. ’a is the second largest branch. Sunni and ’a Muslims agree on the basic principles of Islam, such as believing in one God and the importance of the ProphetSomeone believed to give messages from God. They also share the same holy book - the Qurʾan (Koran)The Recitation or Reading. Allah’s eternal utterance revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by the Angel Jibril as his final revelation to humankind..
The reason there has been a split into different branches is due to differences in belief about who was the rightful successorA person or thing that comes after another. to the Prophet MuhammadThe last messenger of Allah, and founder of Islam, called ‘Seal of the prophets’ in the Qur’an. as leader of the Muslim community after his death.
’a Islam
’a MuslimThe word 'Shi'a' comes from a phrase meaning 'followers of Ali'. Shi'a Muslims believe that Ali succeeded the Prophet Muhammad. is the second largest branch of Islam and is divided into three further branches, including Twelver ’a - the largest group. Many ’a Muslims believe that Muhammad chose Ali as his successor and they do not accept the authority of the first three Sunni caliphs. In Shi'a Islam an imam is not simply a person in charge of a mosque and its congregation, but someone who has the authority to decide the meaning of the Qur’an and which laws ’a Muslims should follow.