What is Sunnism?

The Sunni sect is one of the two largest sects in Islam, with over 85% of Muslims being Sunni. The second largest sect is the Shia sect.

The Shia and Sunni divide was first shown shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Initially, it was a political dispute over who should succeed the prophet. Sunnis believed it was up to the community to elect a “Caliph” or leader, while the Shias believed the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ successor should be within his family, specifically his son in low and cousin Ali bin Abu Talib (RA). The term Sunni comes from the word Sunnah.

This political dispute is usually where a lot of people stop their understanding on the Sunni and Shia divide, but let’s go more in-depth. The Caliph that won the vote would be the closest companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Abū Bakr ibn Al-Ṣiddīq (RA). He was succeeded by the next closest companion of the prophet, ‘Umar bin al-Khattāb (RA), then 'Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and then Ali bin Abu Talib (RA) would become the fourth Caliph.

After Ali (RA) was martyred in the Mosque of Kufah in 661, Mu’awiya (RA) became the next Caliph. Many of Ali’s (RA) supporters transferred their allegiance to his two sons, Hasan (RA) and Husayn (RA). Hasan (RA) was pressured my Mu’awiya’s (RA) stronger army and abandoned any efforts to promote his own caliphate. Mu’awiyah’s (RA) son Yazid was later elected/appointed as his successor. As Hasan (RA) passed away in 670, many Shias looked at Husayn as a leader. Upon the death of Mu’awiya (RA) in 680, Husayn (RA) refused to pledge allegiance/loyalty to Yazīd. As Husayn (RA) was in Arabia, the people of Kūfah sent him letters informing him about their opposition of the current Caliph and giving their support. Upon receiving these letters Husayn (RA) sent his cousin, Muslim ibn Aqil, to Kūfah to assess the situation and gather support. Muslim ibn Aqil was initially very successful in doing so, and informed Husayn (RA) on his progress. In response, Yazid changed the governor of Kufah to defeat the opposition in the city. The new governor succeeded in doing just that. With his support failing, Muslim ibn Aqil decided to carry out a revolt before Husain’s arrival, but it was defeated.

Husayn (RA) did not know about this attempted revolt, and in September of 680 started his journey towards Kufah with around 50 men and his family members. On the way Husayn (RA) received word of the death and defeat of Muslim ibn Aqil. He sent those who came with him back, knowing challenging Yazid likely would not show much success. Very soon Yazid’s forces, along with an envoy of Kufahs new governor, confronted Husayn (RA). They told him to either come with them or turn back and go anywhere but Medina. Husain refused and continued on his journey, with the envoys forces accompanying him.

On the 2nd of October Husain reached Karbala and set camp there. On the following day, Yazid sent an addition 4,000 men to confront Husayn (RA). Yazid’s men were ordered not to allow Husayn (RA) and his men to access the Euphrates river, in an attempt to force to them concede due to lack of water. Though, just 3 days later Husayn’s (RA) men were able to access water, creating a stalemate. For over a week, Yazids men attempted to persuade Husayn (RA) to accept his fate and pledge allegiance/loyalty to Yazid, as they didn’t want to kill the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Husayn (RA) continued to refuse, and on the 10th of October, Yazids army approached Husayn’s (RA) camp. Both sides fought but Husayn’s (RA) small army were extremely unmatched, and his side was massacred. Among the killed included the:

• 7 sons of Ali (RA) (Including Husayn (RA) himself)
• 2 of Husayn’s (RA) sons
• 3 of Hasan’s (RA) sons
• The other grandchildren of Ali (RA)

This horrific event would be the final break between Sunnis and Shias, and would divide the Muslim world forever. These new divisions of Islam would offer alternative interpretation of the Quran and sunnah, its own views on Islamic Jurisprudence (Schools of thought) and on state and religious practices.

Sunni Beliefs

Sunnis constitute the majority of all Muslims countries and make up the majority of Muslims in the world.

Four Madhabs and why do they Differ?

The four Madhads or schools of thought are the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanabli. They were founded by Imam Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Imam Hanbal, may Allah be pleased with them.

Many new Muslims or those studying Islam find it very confusing on why there are four schools of thought if we all follow the same Quran and Hadith books.

What many don’t realize is that the four schools of though rarely disagree with each other on ruling. Due to the fact that we all share the same Quran and Hadith the vast majority (95%) of the ruling made by one school of though are agreed on by the other three.

This then poses another question. Why do we need them and what is the reason for the other 5%?

The difference of opinion in schools of thought are always due to parts of the Quran and Hadith that do not have a clear cut answer to the question.

For example, alcohol is clearly said to be haram in the Quran, so all the schools of though (obviously) agree it is haram.

Then based on the school of thought, it has different criteria for when they can consider something fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence). Some have 5, some have 6, and others have 10 criteria before something is considered fiqh.

The first criteria in all Madhadbs is if it is stated in the Quran.

The second criteria in all Madhadbs is if it is in a mutawaatir hadith. A mutawaatir hadith is a Hadith that has been narrated by many sahabas in multiple generations of sahabas.

The third criteria is when the Madhabs begin differ.

A final point as far as the four imams that “founded” these schools of thought is, these imams never came trying the divide the Muslim ummah. Just like imams today and in the past, they came to share their point of view and educate those who were seeking knowledge.

Is Sunni the correct Sect?

While the ideology of the sunni Muslims is correct, as they follow the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we should not split ourselves into sects and groups within Islam. We should only call ourselves Muslim.

Allah says in the Quran to “hold firmly to the rope of Allah and do not be divided” and to not split ourselves into sects.

Allah even says in the Quran that there is no better title to give yourself as a believer than a “Muslim”, as he called many past prophets and believers Muslim.

Can we call ourselves Sunni, Shafi’is, Hanabli, ect?

No, we should not spilt ourselves into sects and groups within Islam. Just as we follow the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, we should call ourselves Muslim and nothing else.

Allah says in the Quran to “hold firmly to the rope of Allah and do not be divided” and to not split ourselves into sects.

Allah even says in the Quran that there is no better title to give yourself as a believer than a “Muslim”, as he called many past prophets and belivers Muslim.

Many argue using the following Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saying that there will be 73 sects in Islam.

While this is true and undeniable, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not telling us to split and encourage the splitting into sects, but simple telling us what will come of his ummah in the future. Not calling yourself sunni, but a Muslim does not change or deny this Hadith, but instead means you are following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

A final note is that the reason for this question and answer above is not so you don’t listen to the four schools of thought, as it is important for us to follow those who know more than us (the scholars), but let us not divide ourselves by who we follow and instead call ourselves Muslim.

Final Note

We are all Muslim, do not separate yourselves into sects and “do not commit excess in your religion” Quran 4:171. Keep it simple and follow in the footsteps of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.