Introduction
Sunni and Shia are the two chief denominations of Islam. The two groups split in 632 when Prophet Muhammad died. They differed on who should succeed him.
The Sunni believe fighting unbelievers for the purpose of expanding the Islamic state as a form of jihad. This has basically contributed to the many revolutions against non-Islamic governments that have been witnessed in many Arabic countries. Shia believes that war against non-Islams is quite inacceptable and try’s to discourage it in all ways.
Shia political thought advocates for guardianship-based political system in which in the absence of an infallible imam just and capable jurists should take control of the government. Sunni jurists advocate a caliphate state. Governance should be held by individuals who have been elected by the people and have to represent the interests of those who elected them.
Shia held that to some degrees, all governments are corrupt and lack justice and the condition would remain so until the return Mahdi. For the Sunni, the injustice government’s is a condition that can be corrected through organization of mass action against such governments.
However, both believe that governments must offer political as well as economic justice to all its members. In the absence of justice, fighting for the sake of obtaining justice appears to be a holy war for both of them. They also believe that they have to take good care of their families.
The Shia advocate for a revolution in political thought because for a long time, they were discriminated against and brutalized in many countries during various reigns. The Sunni being the majority were contended with the state of affairs and perceived all actions advocated by their religious beliefs to be fine.
References
Shia vs Sunni - Difference and Comparison | Diffen. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diffen.com/difference/Shia_vs_Sunni
