Sunni Muslims

RSSWikipedia Atom feed Search Sunni Islam The Al-Azhar Universityin Cairo, Egypt. Built by Fatimids, it has become an important centre of Sunni Islamic learning. Sunni Islam( / ˈ s uː n i /or / ˈ s ʊ n i /) is the largest branchof Islam; its adherents are referred to in Arabicasahl as-sunnah wa l-jamāʻah( Arabic:أهل السنة والجماعة‎), "people of the tradition of Muhammadand the consensus of the Ummah" orahl as-sunnah(أهل السنة) for short. In English, they are known asSunni Muslims,Sunnis, andSunnites. Sunni Islam is the world's largest religious body [ 1 ]and largest religious denomination for any religion in the world. Sunni Islam is sometimes referred to as the orthodoxversion of the religion. [ 2 ] [ 3 ]The word "Sunni" is believed to come from the term Sunnah( Arabic:سنة‎), which refers to the sayings and actions of the prophetMuhammad as recorded in hadiths. [ 4 ] The primary collections consisting of Kutub al-Sittahaccepted by Sunni orthodoxy, in conjunction with the Quranand binding consensus, form the basis of all jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. Laws are derived from these basic sources; in addition, Sunni Islam's juristic schoolsrecognize differing methods to derive verdictssuch as analogical reason, considerationof public welfareand juristic discretion. Etymology Sunnī( Classical Arabic:سُنِّي/ˈsunniː/) also commonly referred to asSunnīīsmis a broad term derived from sunnah(سُنَّة/ˈsunna/, pluralسُنَنsunan/ˈsunan/) meaning " habit", "usual practice", [ 5 ]"custom", "tradition". The Muslimusage of this term refers to the sayings and living habits of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In its full form, this branch of Islam is referred to as "Ahl al-Sunnah" (literally, "People of theSunahand the Community"). People claiming to follow the Sunnah(tradition of the prophet) who can demonstrate that they have no action or belief against the prophetic Sunnah can consider themselves to be Sunni Muslims. History Main article: Caliphate The Rashidun Caliphateduring its greatest extent After the death of Muhammad, Muslims who accepted Abu Bakras the first Caliphbecame known asAhl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ahor "the people of tradition and unification" in order to differentiate them from the Shia, who rejected Abu Bakr's authority in favor of Ali, whom Sunnis accepted as the fourth Caliph rather than the first. The first four caliphs are known among Sunnis as the Rashidunor "Rightly-Guided Ones". Sunni recognition included as the first was the aforementioned Abu Bakr; as, the second, ` Umar; as the third, ` Uthman ibn Affan; and as the fourth, as mentioned above, `Ali. [ 6 ] After the first four caliphs, the Caliphate was upheld as a political system by dynasties such as the Abbasidsand the Ottomansand the Mughal Empireof South Asia. It was also upheld for relatively short periods of time by other competing dynasties in Spain, North Africaand Egypt. Mustafa Kemal Atatürkabolished the system of the Ottoman Caliphate after Abdülmecid IIwas officially deposed and expelled from what was once the Ottoman Empire, whereby the Republic of Turkeywas founded in 1923 upon secular principles. Adherents Sunnis believe that the companionsof Muhammad were the best of the Muslims. This belief is based on prophetic traditions such as one narrated by Abdullah, son of Masud, in which Muhammad said: "The best of the people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." Support for this view is also found in the Quran, according to Sunnis. [ 7 ]Sunnis also believe that the companions were true believerssince it was the companions who were given the task of compiling the Quran. Furthermore, narrations that were narrated by the companions (ahadith) are considered by Sunnis to be a second source of knowledge of the Muslim faith. A study conducted by the Pew Research Centerin 2010 and released January 2011 [ 8 ]found that there are 1.62 billion Muslims around the world, and it is estimated that the Sunni populationis between 75% and 90%. [ 9 ] Organizational structure Islam does not have a formal hierarchy or clergy. Leaders are informal, and gain influence through study to become a scholar of Islamic law, called Sharia. According to the Islamic Center of Columbia, South Carolina, anyone with the intelligence and will can become a scholar. During Midday Mosque services on Fridays, the congregation will choose a well educated person to lead the service, known as an Imam(one who leads). [ 10 ] Schools of law Distribution of Sunni, Shia, and Ibadibranches of Islam There are several intellectual traditions within the field of Islamic law, often referred to as legal schools. These varied traditions reflect differing viewpoints on some laws and obligations within Islamic law. While one school may see a certain act as a religious obligation, another may see the same act as optional. Historically, the schools were often engaged in violent conflict with one another, [ 11 ]though today these schools aren't regarded as sects; rather, they represent differing viewpoints on issues that are not considered the core of Islamic belief. Historians have differed regarding the exact delineation of the schools based on the underlying principles they follow. Many traditional scholars saw Sunni Islam in two groups: Ahl al-Ra'i, or "people of reason," due to their emphasis on scholarly judgment and discourse; and Ahl al-Hadith, or "people of traditions," due to their emphasis on restricting juristic thought to only what is found in scripture. [ 12 ] Ibn Khaldundefined the Sunni schools as three: the Hanafischool representing reason, the Ẓāhirīteschool representing tradition, and a broader, middle school encompassing the Shafi'ite, Malikiteand Hanbaliteschools. [ 13 ] [ 14 ] During the Middle Ages, the Mamluk Sultanatein Egypt delineated the acceptable Sunni schools as only Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali, excluding the Ẓāhirī school. [ 15 ]The Ottoman Empirelater reaffirmed the official status of four schools as a reaction to the Shiite character of the Persian Empire, [ 11 ]though former Prime Minister of Sudan Al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, as well as the Amman Messageissued by King Abdullah II of Jordan, recognize the Ẓāhirī and keep the number of Sunni schools at five. [ 16 ] [ 17 ] Differences in the schools The Great Mosque of Kairouan(also known as the Mosque of Uqba) was, in particular during the 9th, 10th and 11th centuries, an important center of Islamic learning with an emphasis on the MalikiMadh'hab. [ 18 ]It is located in the city of Kairouanin Tunisia Interpreting Islamic law by deriving specific rulings - such as how to pray - is commonly known as Muslim jurisprudence. The schools of law all have their own particular tradition of interpreting this jurisprudence. As these schools represent clearly spelled out methodologies for interpreting Islamic law, there has been little change in the methodology with regard to each school. While conflict between the schools was often violent in the past, [ 11 ]today the schools recognize one another as viable legal methods than error or heresy in contrast to one another. Each school has its evidences, and differences of opinionare generally respected. As the social and economic environment changes, new rulings are derived. For example, when tobaccoappeared, it was considered dislikedbecause of its smell. When medical information showed that smokingwas dangerous, most jurists took the view that it is forbidden. Current issues include social topics such as downloadingpirated softwareand scientific issues such as cloning. The six pillars ofiman Main articles: Iman (concept)and Islamic theology Sunni Islam has six articles of faith known as the six pillars ofimanthat all Sunni Muslims are united upon in belief, along with the 105 key points of creed mentioned in "Aṭ-Ṭaḥāwī's Islamic Theology". [ 19 ] *.Reality of one God Allah (see Tawhid) *.Existence of angels of Allah *.Authority of the books of Allah *.Following the prophets of Allah *.Preparation for and belief in the Day of Judgment *.Supremacy of Allah’s will, i.e. belief in predestination good or bad is from Allah alone Theological traditions Some Islamic scholars faced questions that they felt were not explicitly answered in theQuranandSunnah, especially questions with regard to philosophical conundra such as the nature of God, the existence of human free will, or the eternal existence of theQuran.Various schools of theologyand philosophydeveloped to answer these questions, each claiming to be true to theQuranand the Muslim tradition (sunnah). Among Sunni Muslims, various schools of thought in theology began to be born out of the sciences of kalam in opposition to the textualists who stood by affirming texts without delving into philosophical speculation as they saw it as an innovation in Islam. The following were the three dominant schools of theology that grew. All three of these are accepted by Muslims around the globe, and are considered within "Islamic Orthodoxy". The key beliefs of Sunni Islam are all agreed upon (being the six pillars of Iman) and codified in the treatise on Aqeedahby Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Tahawiin his Aqeedat Tahawiyyah. Maturidi Main article: Maturidi Founded by Abu Mansur al-Maturidi(died 944). Maturidiyyah was a minority tradition until it was accepted by the Turkishtribes of Central Asia(previously they had been Ash'ari and followers of the Shafi'i school,[ citation needed]it was only later on migration into Anatoliathat they became Hanafiand followers of the Maturidi creed[ citation needed]). One of the tribes, the Seljuk Turks, migrated to Turkey, where later the Ottoman Empirewas established. [ 20 ]Their preferred school of law achieved a new prominence throughout their whole empire although it continued to be followed almost exclusively by followers of the Hanafischool while followers of the Shafiand Malikischools within the empire followed the Ash'ari and Athari schools of thought. Thus, wherever can be found Hanafifollowers, there can be found the Maturidi creed. Ash'ari Main article: Ash'ari Founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari(873–935). This theological school of Aqeedah was embraced by plenty of Muslim scholars and developed in parts of the Islamic world throughout history, Imam al-Ghazaliwrote on the creed discussing it and agreeing upon some of its principles. [ 21 ] Ash'ari theology stresses divine revelationover human reason. Contrary to the Mu'tazilites, they say that ethicscannot be derived from human reason, but that God's commands, as revealed in theQuranand theSunnah(the practices of Muhammad and his companions as recorded in the traditions, or hadith), are the sole source of all morality and ethics. Regarding the nature of God and the divine attributes, the Ash'ari rejected the Mu'taziliposition that all Quranic references to God as having real attributes were metaphorical. The Ash'aris insisted that these attributes were as they "best befit His Majesty". The Arabic language is a wide language in which one word can have 15 different meanings, so the Ash'aris endeavor to find the meaning that best befits Allah and is not contradicted by the Quran. Therefore when Allah states in the Quran, "He who does not resemble any of His creation," this clearly means that Allah cannot be attributed with body parts because He created body parts. Ash'aris tend to stress divine omnipotenceover human free will and they believe that the Quran is eternal and uncreated. Athari Main article: Athari Athari ( Classical Arabic:أثري), or "textualism", is derived from the Arabic wordathar, literally meaning "remnant", and also referring to "narrations". Their disciples are called the Atharis oral-Atharia. The Atharis are considered to be one of three Sunni schools of Aqidah. The Athari methodology of textual interpretation is to avoid delving into any extensive theological speculation. They believe in Allah and his attributes in the exact fashion that they were mentioned in the Quran, the Sunnah, and by the Sahabah. They do not attempt to further interpret the aforementioned texts by giving a literal meaning like in Ẓāhirīya (literalism) or the Tashbih (simile or likening), nor through tahrif(distortion), nor ta`weel (allegory or metaphor), nor ta'teel (denial). They avoid entering into deep rational philosophical discussions of matters relating to Islamic beliefs that are not supported by the Quran, the Sunnah or the understanding of the Sahabah with specific wording; rather, their discussion and presentation of beliefs revolves entirely around textual evidences found in these three main sources, while remaining cautious to avoid taking the path of the Ẓāhirīs (literalists) either. The Atharis believe this to be the methodology adhered to by the first three generations of Muslims (i.e. the Salaf), therefore making it the school of Sunni Aqeedah that they believe is adhering to the truth and keeping to the balanced middle path of Islam. The codifier of the Athari Aqeedahwas the great Islamic Classical Scholar Ahmad ibn Hanbal [ 22 ]who today is perhaps better known for his School of Jurisprudencethan his school of Aqeedah. Prominent proponents of Classical Atharismtoday include, among others, Yusuf al-Qaradawiand Mauritanianscholar Sheikh Muhammad Al-Hassan Ad-Dedew. [ 23 ] [ 24 ] Sunni view ofhadith The Quran as it exists today in book form was compiled by Muhammad's companions ( Sahabah) within a handful of months of his death, and is accepted by all Muslim denominations. However, there were many matters of belief and daily life that were not directly prescribed in the Quran, but were actions that were observed by Muhammad and the early Muslim community. Later generations sought out oral traditionsregarding the early history of Islam, and the practices of Muhammad and his first followers, and wrote them down so that they might be preserved. These recorded oral traditions are called hadith. Muslim scholars have through the ages sifted through the hadith and evaluated the chain of narrations of each tradition, scrutinizing the trustworthiness of the narrators and judging the strength of each hadith accordingly. Kutub al-Sittah Kutub al-Sittahare six books containing collections of hadiths. Most Sunni Muslims accept the hadith collections of Bukhariand Muslimas the most authentic ( sahih,or correct), and while accepting all hadiths verified as authentic, grant a slightly lesser status to the collections of other recorders. There are, however, four other collections of hadith that are also held in particular reverence by Sunni Muslims, making a total of six: *. Sahih al-Bukhariof Muhammad al-Bukhari *. Sahih Muslimof Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj *. Sunan al-Sughraof Al-Nasa'i *. Sunan Abu Dawudof Abu Dawood *. Jami' at-Tirmidhiof Al-Tirmidhi *. Sunan Ibn Majahof Ibn Majah There are also other collections of hadith which also contain many authentic hadith and are frequently used by scholars and specialists. Examples of these collections include: *. Musannaf of Abd al-Razzaqof ‘Abd ar-Razzaq as-San‘ani *. Musnadof Ahmad ibn Hanbal *. Mustadrakof Al Haakim *. Muwattaof Imam Malik *. Sahih Ibn Hibbaan *. Sahih Ibn Khuzaymahof Ibn Khuzaymah *. Sunan al-Darimiof Al-Darimi Notes 1. ^Connie R. Green, Sandra Brenneman Oldendorf,Religious Diversity and Children's Literature: Strategies and Resources, Information Age Publishing, 2011, p. 156. 2. ^ Gale Encyclopedia of the Mideast & N. Africa. "The largest branch in Islam, sometimes referred to as "orthodox Islam"; its full name is ahl al-Sunna wa aljamaʿa (the people of Sunna and consensus[??]), and it represents about 90 percent of the world Muslim population." 3. ^ "Sunni and Shia Islam". Library of Congress Country Studies. Retrieved December 17, 2011. 4. ^ "Sunna". Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 2010-12-17. "the body of Islamic custom and practice based on Muhammad's words and deeds" 5. ^ Sunnah, Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement 6. ^Tore Kjeilen. "Lexic Orient.com". Lexic Orient.com. Retrieved 2011-06-05. 7. ^ Quran, 9:100 8. ^ "Region: Middle East-North Africa".The Future of the Global Muslim Population - Executive Summary. Pew Research Center. Retrieved 3 April 2013. 9. ^See: *. Eastern Europe Russia and Central Asia"some 80% of the worlds Muslims are Sunni" *. "Religions".The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Retrieved 8 December 2011. "Sunni Islam accounts for over 75% of the world's Muslim population" *. Sue Hellett;U.S. should focus on sanctions against Iran"Sunnis make up over 75 percent of the world’s Muslim population" *. Iran, Israel and the United States"Sunni, accounts for over 75% of the Islamic population" *. A dictionary of modern politics"probably 80% of the worlds Muslims are Sunni" *. "Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population". Pew Research Center. October 7, 2009. Retrieved 2010-08-24. "Of the total Muslim population, 10-13% are Shia Muslims and 87-90% are Sunni Muslims." *. "Quick guide: Sunnis and Shias". BBC News. 2011-12-06. Retrieved December 18, 2011. "The great majority of Muslims are Sunnis - estimates suggest the figure is somewhere between 85% and 90%." *. "Tension between Sunnis, Shiites emerging in USA". USA Today. 2007-09-24. Retrieved December 18, 2011. "Among the world's estimated 1.4 billion Muslims, about 85% are Sunni and about 15% are Shiite." *. Sunni Islam: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide"Sunni Islam is the dominant division of the global Muslim community, and throughout history it has made up a substantial majority (85 to 90 percent) of that community." 10. ^Masjid al-Muslimiin. " Organizational Structure Of Islam," The Islamic Center of Columbia (South Carolina). Accessed 07 December 2013. 11.^ a b cChibli Mallat,Introduction to Middle Eastern Law, pg. 116. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. ISBN 9780199230495 12. ^Murtada Mutahhari, The Role of Ijtihad in Legislation, Al-Tawhidvolume IV, No.2, Publisher: Islamic Thought Foundation 13. ^Meinhaj Hussain, A New Medina, The Legal System, Grande Strategy, January 5th, 2012 14. ^ Ignác Goldziher,The Zahiris, pg. 5. Trns. Wolfgang Behn, intro. Camilla Adang.Volume three of Brill Classics in Islam. Leiden: Brill Publishers, 2008. ISBN 9789004162419 15. ^ "Law, Islamic". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 13 March 2012. 16. ^Hassan Ahmed Ibrahim, "An Overview of al-Sadiq al-Madhi's Islamic Discourse." Taken fromThe Blackwell Companion to Contemporary Islamic Thought, pg. 172. Ed. Ibrahim Abu-Rabi'. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell, 2008. ISBN 9781405178488 17. ^ The Three Points of The Amman Message V.1 18. ^Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and Riad Nourallah,The future of Islam, Routledge, 2002, page 199 19. ^ "Sunni Islam Afterlife and Salvation". 20. ^ "Maturidiyyah".Philtar. Retrieved 2006-04-01. 21. ^J. B. Schlubach. "Fethullah Gülen and Al-Ghazzali on Tolerance". Retrieved 2010-01-07. 22. ^ http://www.tutorgigpedia.com /ed/Islamic_schools_and_branches 23. ^ http://www.suhaibwebb.com/islam-studies /suhaib-where-do-you-stand-what-kind- of-muslim-are-you/ 24. ^ http://www.suhaibwebb.com/multimedia/unity- in-action-shaykh-al-qaradawi-defends-the-creed- of-al-azhar-university/ Further reading *.Branon Wheeler, Applying the Canon in Islam: The Authorization and Maintenance of Interpretive Reasoning in Ḥanafī Scholarship, SUNY Press, 1996. External links *. Islam.org.uk *. International Quran *. Books relating to belief of ahl as-Sunnat *. Ahl as-sunnat belief *. Translation and Detailed Commentary on Quran *. SunniPath – Study Islam Online Read in another language Last modified on 28 April 2014, at 17:45 Mobile‌ Desktop Content is available under CC BY-SA 3.0unless otherwise noted. Privacy

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