SHIITES:

The term, Shiite, means "partisan of faith." This group accounts for less than fifteen-percent of all Muslims. Shiites are one of the most aggressive in their religious fervor as they believe that the first rightful successor to Muhammad should have been his nephew, Hadrat Ali, instead of Hadrat Abu Bakr - the father of Muhammad's youngest wife, Aisha. Muhammad did not have a male heir to transfer his leadership to as his only two son's each died during their infant years. Therefore, Shiite Muslims choose all transfer of their leadership on the basis of blood-line descendancy to Muhammad and not by an electoral process as is the case in Sunni leadership.

Shiite religious leaders are called "Imams." A segment of this Muslim group believes that within the timeline of world history a total of twelve imams will have ruled upon the earth prior to "Judgment Day." These are commonly referred to as the "Twelvers." They presently await the emergence of their twelfth Imam whom they believe is actually alive at this time and is waiting for the right moment to enter upon the world scene as the "Mahdi," or, saviour of the world. Twelvers believe that Mahdi will appear with Jesus in order to establish peace by bringing the entire world under Islamic rule.

 

Another religious sect within the Shiite movement is known as the "Seveners." This group accepts only six Imams from the Twelvers group and believes that their seventh Imam was a leader by the name of Ismail Ibn Jafar. The Seveners await their prophetic return of Ismail's son, Muhammad, whom they believe is the rightful Muslim leader who will restore peace and order upon the earth.

 

 

SALAFI:

 

The Salafi thought calls upon all Muslims to follow the original ways of the first generations of Islamic teachings. Salafi Muslims strive to emulate the fundamental way of life and religion that reflect how the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, and his companions lived at the time when Islam first began. This doctrine views any modernization of Islamic thought as being apostate and proclaims that true Islam must follow the examples (Sunnah) of their prophet, Muhammad, and to observe all teachings of the Qur'an. Shari'a is the law that must govern. The Salafi goal is to "... establish a true Islamic society governed by Allah's law.