海角社区

The Islam religion has over 2 billion followers in the 海角社区. The religion itself if nearly 1,300 years old. Practicing Muslims believe that Islam began in 610 CE when the last prophet, Muhammad, began receiving revelations from God. Followers of the faith recorded these revelations in the Qur鈥檃n. As with all other 海角社区 religions, Islam is represented by several major branches: Sunni, 厂丑颈鈥檃, Ibadi, Ahmadiyya, and Sufism. These branches started to develop after Muhammad鈥檚 death when people began to disagree on the successor of the religion. Although different, the major denominations all share some common beliefs of monotheism, holy books, etc.

The Major Denominations Of Islam

Sunni

The Sunni branch is by far the largest denomination of Islam and represents 89-90% of all followers of Islam. They are present throughout the Middle East with large concentrations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Sunni followers believe that Muhammad had not appointed a specific successor and many years after his death and significant debate, followers chose Abu Bakr Siddique. This man was one of Muhammad鈥檚 fathers-in-law and a close friend. One of the positions within the religion is that of Imam, who under Sunni belief is the formal prayer leader. Sunnis believe that the Qur鈥檃n applies to all of life and that individuals can approach God directly and that he will present himself on Judgment Day.

厂丑颈鈥檃

The 厂丑颈鈥檃 followers believe that Muhammad did choose a successor, Ali ibn Abi Talib, his son-in-law. 厂丑颈鈥檃 believers also have Imams, who are more central figures and community leaders because they are the perfect manifestation of God. This branch is less about the individual鈥檚 relationship with God and more about the cleric鈥檚 interpretation of the Qur鈥檃n. Unlike the Sunni, the 厂丑颈鈥檃 do not believe that humans will see God on Judgment Day. Since they are a minority sect, calculating their numbers is difficult. The majority, however, seem to reside in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, and Azerbaijan.

Ibadi

Another lesser known branch of Islam is Ibadi. This denomination pre-dates Sunni and 厂丑颈鈥檃 and is considered a highly orthodox version of Islam. They share the 厂丑颈鈥檃 belief that God will not show himself on Judgment Day. Unlike Sunni and 厂丑颈鈥檃, the Ibadi believe that the Muslim community can rule itself without a single leader. Ibadi also differs in that they do not agree that the Muslim ruler must be a descendant of Muhammad鈥檚 tribe, the Quraysh. Seventy-five percent of the population of Oman is Ibadi.

Ahmadiyya

This denomination is newer than the previous. Followers of Ahmadiyya do not recognize Muhammad as the last prophet. It has its roots in the teaching of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908), their prophet. His followers believe he was divinely appointed as the renewer of Islam. They hold similar beliefs to Sunni and also recognize the Qur鈥檃n as their holy book. The largest concentrations of Ahmadiyya are in West and East Africa, Indonesia, and South Asia.

Sufism

The majority of Sufis follow the Islam direction as given by Ali, Muhammad鈥檚 successor as believed by the 厂丑颈鈥檃. Though not technically a sect of Islam, Sufism is an Islamic teaching that focuses on purification of the inner-self. They believe that humans can have an experience with God through intuitive and emotional abilities that Sufis learn through training. This experience does not have to happen in Paradise but can be achieved in life. Turkey and Persia are considered centers for Sufism although it has also reached Greece, Albania, and Macedonia among others.

Strength Of Beliefs

Though not an exhaustive list of the branches of Islam, the previous denominations are some of the most well-known. Islam is an old religion, one of the largest in the 海角社区, and full of intricate beliefs and traditions. No matterr the sect, Islams believe that the purpose of humans is to live and praise God so that one day they may gain entrance to Paradise.