The Muslim world, since the time of the early history of Islam, is divided into two religious directions - Sunnis and Shiites. In the VII century, immediately after the death of the great Muhammad, the question became acute who will lead the Muslims and the entire Arab caliphate. Some (Sunnis) supported the friend of Muhammad and the father of his wife Aisha - Abu Bakr. Others (Shiites) claimed that the blood relative of the Prophet could become the successor. They said that before his death, Mohammed appointed his cousin and Ali's beloved son to be the heir. This was the first time that Islam was divided. In the end, the supporters of Abu Bakr won. Although for a while Ali received the title of the fourth caliph and even ruled the Arab Caliphate.
For a time, the Sunnis and Shiites maintained a neutral relationship. However, in the year 680, the split among Muslims was aggravated. The fact is that in Karbala (in the territory of modern Iraq) the son of Ali-Hussein was found killed. The killers were the soldiers of the ruling caliph, who then was a Sunni representative. Then gradually the political power was monopolized by the rulers of the Sunnis. The Shiites had to live in the shadows and focus on the imams, of which the first 12 were the direct descendants of Ali. Today, Sunnis are the dominant branch of power. They make up the majority of Muslims. Shiites are in the minority (10%). Their religious orientation is common in the Arab countries (except North Africa), Iran (where their center is located), Azerbaijan, here and there in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India and Pakistan.
So, how do Sunnis differ from Shiites? Both religious branches originate from the Prophet Muhammad. However, in the course of time, in connection with separation, their religious beliefs acquire more and more differences. To date, Sunnis and Shiites believe in the one God of Allah and consider the prophet Muhammad to be his messenger on Earth. They honor and unquestioningly fulfill the five pillars (ritual traditions of Islam), read the fivefold prayer every day, fast in Ramadan and recognize the only holy scripture of the Koran.
The Shiites also honor the Koran and the Great Prophet. However, it is not unquestionable. Their clergymen have the opportunity to interpret the deeds and sayings of Muhammad. In addition, Shiites believe that their imams are representatives of God on Earth, that the last twelfth Imam is "hidden from all", but someday he will appear for the fulfillment of the divine will. The main difference between Sunnis and Shiites is that they, apart from the Holy Qur'an, are still guided unconditionally by the Sunnah, the teachings of the Prophet. This is the set of rules that Muhammad composed, taking his life as the basis. They interpret them literally. Sometimes it takes extreme forms. For example, in Afghanistan, the Taliban paid attention even to the size of the male beard, since everything had to meet the requirements of the Sunnah. Most Sunnis consider the Shiites "the worst of the people", heretics and "infidels". They believe that killing the Shiite is the path to heaven.
Sunnis and Shiites have repeatedly shed blood each other. The longest conflict of the Muslim world consists not so much in enmity between Israel and Arabs or between Muslims and the West as in the long internal split of Islam itself.