What Is The Difference...

RE: What Is The Difference...

Hi,

When our prophet peace be upon him was alive he had four followers or helpers known as the four rightlyfully guided caliphs, after his death they took on a role as leaders of islam and their descendants also took on a role of responsibility. for example in ruling, study etc etc.

Sunni Muslims accept that all of those four and their descendants were of respect and these people ruled in the Arabic world until the end of the ottoman empire.

The Shi-ites believe that only the descendants of the fourth caliph, Ali are the legitimate successors of prophet mohamed.

the caliphate for the sunni world ended after world war one i think and this caused some troubles..after that those muslims based their methods of leadership on Westren styles..many aspects of which were influenced by islam in any case.

However, the change caused troubles, some of which were practical in managing the political issues there at the time, others in that certain people felt insulted or annoyed and defensive over the changes..some still do to this day...for example Osama Bin laden.

The Shi-ites continue to this day to have interet or acceptance of Iatollahs..although this may be ok in some respects it also goes in many of our opinions against the fundimental teachings of islam.

For example, one cannot be proud of one's birth, no human inherits and spiritual authority or favours because of who their parents are..it is down to how the individual lives thier life.

Also, Islam favours democracy and dislikes dictatorships and fundementalism so one wonders what some people think they are doing lately...but there you go..another debate altogether.

practical difference i think include that their prayers are slightly different, i have a feelign their call to prayer may be different and also some of the days that they remember or celebrate.

They go to a different mosque, but ultimately they are muslims, they believe in Allah and his prophets..just the story changed a little on the way somewhere amoungst us all.

hal

RE: What Is The Difference...

Thanks, Hal. I am glad that you cleared that one up for me. You see, when I was in Egypt, I was surprised that there was no fundamentalism or oppression being played out, even though it is a predominantly Muslim country. I later discovered that it is the Sunni branch of Islam that people follow. What you have said about the Sunnis makes a lot of sense as to how people behave in Egypt. The call to prayers is a lot more rhythmical and in keeping with the 'song' of the universe.

Thank you for that. I don't know if I could live a life in Egypt, but I'd certainly be willing to give it a try!

Love,
Patsy.
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RE: What Is The Difference...

Hi,

You see, when I was in Egypt, I was surprised that there was no fundamentalism or oppression being played out, even though it is a predominantly Muslim country.

Nope, they do not have fundamentalism there on a large scale, for example the goverment do not tend to interfere in the usual freedoms of the people living there.

Muslim does not equal fundamentalism and fundamentalism is actually not the normal for most individual people, some people have the misfortune to live in such societies, many do not.

Shi-ite muslim as far as I believe does not equal fundamentalism any more than Sunni islam, a lot of people have come to think the Shi-tes are the fundamentalists because of Iatollah khomeni in iran..but look at how shi-tes were treated in iraq and other places too.

Islam is not about oppresion, islam does not require for men and women to be oppressed, it is a religion of humans rights and is supposed to uphold the rights especially of weaker members of society.

As muslims we do not feel opprsessed, sadly though there are oppressors in the world.

When you wne to Egypt you may not have been aware of some of the things that are not so nice there...it is a good country and all countries have their downsides i suppose, but there have been and still are issues there, women's concerns for example. Women of the "lower classes," and probably more affected..for example there is still a practice in some communities of female circumcision. There are other things you would not like that are carrying on..though i believe they are against the law..not 100% sure about that.

That doesn't make it a bad country and the bad tings are not really down to Islam..that is an excuse,

hal

RE: What Is The Difference...

Hello Hal,

Well, the fact that Islam is not a religion populated by bug-eyed relgious fundamentalists was brought home to me during my stay. It is a religion of tolerance and humanity, nothing like what we have been used to seeing on telly and in the newspapers. The culture of gender separation was evident though, and I didn't see very many women, especially during the day. It appears that men go out and earn the money, although I did see one woman minding a market stall, and some young women were queuing up to use the swimming pool in Aswan. Christians and Muslims rub along pretty well in Egypt, and it is that willingness to get along with each other that is going to bring Egypt into the forefront of making the rest of the world see how things can be done in the middle east. There are poor people, but poverty is almost non-existent. From what I saw of it, Egypt is an emerging first-world country.

Yes, I had heard of female mutilation but thankfully I didn't see any of it. We women were treated with kindness and courtesy by everyone.

Love,
Patsy.
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RE: What Is The Difference...

Hi

that is good, and i think sometimes for us muslim girls who are living normal and good lives we forget that many westerners are somewhat confused by the images portrayed to them.

Sometimes things may look a bit different and in many ways you may find muslim women would not seek changes, for example in that the roles of men and women can be quite clearly defined.

While some westerners feel sorry for muslim women, in fact it is often the case that muslim women feel sorry for westerm women.

For example, issues to do with family security and the well being of women.

A common commnet from muslims is to do with how western women actually have very heavy burdens to carry sometimes, for example the raising of children, full time work, finnanical concerns etc. it is a tall order and one which leaves many western women tired and overwrought.

Another thing that is often looked upon with confusion is how women may be left alone to raise a young family and be left reliant either on benefits or full time work. This is seen again to place a heavy burden on those womens shoulders.

It is not that islam teaches against women working or a social state..quite the opposite, but it also teaches us through Qu'ran and hadith that motherhood and having babies is a demanding thing, it is not an easy time although a joyous one.

The point is that it is the view of many muslims that in an ideal world every mother should enjoy full support during her pregnancies and while she raises her family so that she may enjoy this time to the full, invest much in her children and care for her own health and well being as well as that of future society.

I feel i should add that because some women..myself included do not fit into this ideal it doesn't mean there is any shame on them, far from it, we believe Allah will reward those who love and care for their family in the best way possible.

if that means working it is commendable, if it is staying at home that is also wonderful. you see, islam is not restricted in it's application, it is a religion for all people at all times, for all circumstnaces..we have ifs and buts and not hard line rules.

Everyone should be able to look to islam for help and support and confidence, not damnation!!!

The status of a mother and a woman is very high in islam, the mother has the most important job in society, that is why we believe that everything should be in place to help her.

Women and mothers are also encouraged to be educated, take interest in life outside the family and home, work that they do is commended and in islam they are supposed to have equal opportunities and pay..this was written in the Qu'ran for them 1500 years ago.

you will see signs of this in the arab world as a whole, however, it is often true that arab or muslim women in their part of the world are more affected by their social circumstances than women in the UK.

Thier social class etc will have more bearing on what is likely to be achieved for example education and career wise..just as it was here years ago. if you are poor or from an uneducated family it is prehaps harder to progress in those areas..but that is changing.

Did you know that if anything life according to islam should be harder and carry more responsiility for men in practical terms, they are obliged to support a family whereas women are not obliged.

if a women works to help her family it is highly commendable..yet it is written that any money she owns or earns is hers and she is under no obligation to share it with her husband..but the husband has to pay for her. that is not because women are weak or incapable but because they have babies,

hal