LESSON

Subdivisions and Related Issues on Islam

Similar to most major religions, Islam also has sects, which vary
primarily as to how these sects interpret some aspects of the Islamic faith
and of the Quran. In as much as Muslims agree on the fundamental tenets
of the Islam religion, variation do occur in many of their beliefs and
practices.
1. SUNNI MUSLIMS (The Sunnis)
Majority of the Muslims, around 87% to 90% of the entire Islam
believers, belong to the Sunni denomination. The Sunnis (“Followers of the
Smooth path”) are traditionalists and are considered the orthodox of Islam
as they endeavor to follow the original religion established by Muhammad
and guided by the first four caliphs. They believe that any Muslim can be a
ruler and he does not need to prove his lineage to Muhammad as long as he
gets the approval and confidence of the “ummah” or community.

2. SHI’A ( The Shi’ites)

The Shi’ite Muslim are the largest faction within the Islam
religion that separated from the rest of the community. For the Shi’ites, Ali
was the first imam and the rightful spiritual and political successor of
Muhammad. The main Shi’ites sects are the Seveners, Twelvers, and Ibadis.
The Seveners believe that there were seven imams, and can be found in
India, Yemen and part of Africa. The twelvers claimed that there are twelve
imams with most believers found in Iran. Finally, the Ibadis believe that the
community may elect any appropriate Muslim as imam. They mostly found
in Oman.

3. SUFI
Muslims whose concern mainly dwell for a mystical union with God
are collectively called Sufis. Their name originate from the word “suf” that
means “woolen” since they wore coarse wool garments or robes to symbolize
poverty and denunciation of worldly pleasures. A Sufi can be a Sunni or
Shi’ite
Muslim. Most Sufi practitioners practice discipline, poverty, abstinence, and
celibacy in some instances. They insist that it is possible to have union with
God through mystical experience.
Sufi holy men taking part in a strange act of self-torture at a festival to mark the
death of a saint. (Photo source: https://cvltnation.com/eye-popping-the-sufi-ritual-sticking-
knivesin-eyes/)

MAJOR ISSUES CONFRONTING ISLAM

1. Gender Equality – Islamic society as a whole remains patriarchal;

women are required to obey their husbands and observe dress codes such
as wearing the hijab or veil. Women and young girls in many Islamic
countries still lag behind when it comes to education. In the Arab states,
females compose 54% of the out-of-school population. Many Islamic states
also limit the role of women in the workplace and in politics.
With regards to homosexuality, Islamic doctrine condemns
homosexual acts. Many Muslims see homosexuality as a moral disorder, a
disease, sin, and corruption. Same-sex intercourse carries the penalty of
death in five Muslim nations: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Mauritania, Sudan, and
Yemen.
2. The Holy War (Jihad)- one controversial requirement placed upon
Muslims by their faith concerns holy war or Jihad. It is frequently
mistranslated term. Actually Jihad means “effort” or “struggle” to convince
unbelievers to pursue
the Muslim way of life. Meaning, a
Muslim going to war to wipe out the infidels in the name of Allah.
Presently, jihad has remained a vague issue especially now that
Arab nations have been less apprehensive to commit to war a unified
Muslims versus non-
Muslims.

The Muslim Holy War, Jihad

(Photo source: http://aristocratsof thesoul.com/julius-evola-on-two-types -of-jihad-the-
greater-and-the-lesser- holy-war/)

3. Militancy and Terrorism – Islam has been associated with terrorism

and violence due to emergence of Muslim terrorist groups. The actions of
terrorists, coupled by the views shaped by the media, has led to the
promotion of stereotypes which has resulted in prejudice against Muslims
throughout the world.
Extremism, fanaticism and radicalism in Islam can be traced to the
Kahrijites, a group of Muslim rebels who opposed Uthman and Ali during
the 7th century CE. This group developed extreme doctrines that set them
apart from both Sunni and Shia Muslims. They viewed other Muslims
outside of their own group as infidels who are worthy of death.

Muslim terrorists in America (Photo source:

https://www.gospelapplied.com/know-about-
islam/

4. Migration
Europe has experienced increased rates of migration since the mid-
20th century. During the 1960’s, the percentage of Muslim immigrants to
Europe has significantly increased. The emergence of Muslim communities
throughout Europe has sparked many debates regarding immigration and
integration policies.
Hijrah, the Muslim migration (Photo source: http://imi.org.au/migration-hijrah-jihad-
holywar-according-to-the-islamic-scholars/)

Conflicts throughout the Middle East and Arab Region has led to
increased numbers of migrants, most of whom come from the war-torn
country of Syria, seeking asylum in Europe. The arrival of immigrants into
European states often results in difficulties in integration, as many Muslim
communities experience prejudice and are often isolated from mainstream
European society. This treatment of immigrant has led to growing
resentment among young Muslims and in turn, it often leads Muslims to
subscribe to extremist views propagated by militant Muslim organizations
which lead them to participate in terroristic activities.