Sunni & Shia: Major differences

AQEEDAH (Creed/Belief)

Principle	Sunni Position	Sunni Evidence & Relation	Shia Position	Shia Evidence & Relation	Sunni Refutation of Shia Evidence
Separation of Belief System	Maintained original unified community consensus from Prophet's time; no separation occurred	Quran 3:103 - "hold fast to the rope of Allah and do not be divided" (unity principle)	Distinct identity emerged after Karbala (61 AH), institutionalized during occultation (260 AH)	Quran 6:159 - "those who divide their religion into sects, you have nothing to do with them" (separation from corrupt leadership)	Verse condemns sectarianism generally; doesn't justify creating separate religious authority structure outside established community
Leadership after Prophet	Abu Bakr was rightfully chosen; Caliphate through consultation (shura)	Quran 42:38 - "those who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation" (supports elected leadership)	Ali ibn Abi Talib was divinely appointed successor; Imamate is divinely ordained	Quran 5:67 - "convey what has been revealed to you" (interpreted as appointing Ali at Ghadir)	Verse 5:67 refers to general message delivery, not specific succession; no explicit mention of Ali or leadership appointment
Imamate/Caliphate	Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs, no divine infallibility	Sahih Bukhari - human fallibility of caliphs shown in historical accounts	12 Imams with divine authority and infallibility	Quran 2:124 - "I will make you leaders for mankind" (Abraham's infallible lineage extends to Imams)	Verse 2:124 addresses Abraham specifically; no textual connection to 12 specific Imams or hereditary infallible leadership
Infallibility (Ismah)	Only Prophets are infallible; all others can err	Quran 17:15 - "no bearer of burdens bears another's burden" (individual accountability shows human fallibility)	Imams are infallible like Prophets in religious matters	Quran 33:33 - "Allah only desires to remove uncleanness from you, O People of the House" (purification verse indicates infallibility)	Verse 33:33 refers to spiritual purification, not infallibility from error; context shows it includes Prophet's wives, not just Ahl al-Bayt descendants
Religious Authority	Scholarly consensus, qualified ulema	Quran 42:38 - consultation principle applies to religious decisions	Living Marja (Source of Emulation) for guidance	Quran 4:59 - "obey those in authority among you" (refers to divinely appointed Imams)	"Those in authority" (uli'l-amr) refers to legitimate rulers and scholars generally, not exclusively to claimed infallible Imams
Major Companions Status	All major companions highly revered	Quran 9:100 - "first forerunners...Allah is pleased with them" (praises early companions)	Some companions criticized, especially first three Caliphs	Quran 9:101 - "among the desert Arabs are hypocrites" (shows not all companions were righteous)	Verse 9:101 refers to Bedouins, not the Muhajirun and Ansar companions; verses 9:100 specifically praises the early companions
Mahdi Concept	Mahdi will come in end times, identity unknown	Sahih Bukhari - prophetic traditions about future Mahdi	12th Imam in occultation, will return	Quran 21:105 - "righteous servants shall inherit the earth" (refers to Mahdi's future rule)	Verse 21:105 is general about righteous believers inheriting earth; no specific reference to a hidden 12th Imam

FIQH (Jurisprudence/Practice)

Principle	Sunni Position	Sunni Evidence & Relation	Shia Position	Shia Evidence & Relation	Sunni Refutation of Shia Evidence
Sources of Law	Quran, Sunnah, consensus (ijma), analogy (qiyas)	Quran 4:59 - "obey Allah, Messenger, those in authority" (establishes hierarchy of sources)	Quran, Sunnah, Imam's teachings, reason (aql)	Quran 4:59 - "those in authority" refers specifically to infallible Imams as legal sources	"Those in authority" includes all legitimate Islamic authorities, not limited to claimed infallible Imams; Quran doesn't establish hereditary religious authority
Prayer (Salah)	5 separate daily prayers, prostration on any clean surface	Quran 17:78 - "establish prayer at sunset until darkness" (implies separate prayer times)	3 daily prayers (combining some), prostration on clay/earth	Quran 4:103 - "prayer is prescribed at specific times" (allows flexibility in combining)	Authentic hadith clearly establish 5 separate prayer times; combining is emergency exception, not normal practice
Temporary Marriage	Mut'ah is prohibited	Sahih Muslim - Prophet abrogated mut'ah permanently	Mut'ah is permissible under conditions	Quran 4:24 - "seek them with your wealth" (temporary marriage clause before alleged abrogation)	Verse 4:24 refers to proper marriage with mahr; authentic hadith show Prophet's final prohibition of mut'ah at Khaybar/Conquest of Mecca
Ashura Observance	Recommended fasting, less emphasis on mourning	Sahih Bukhari - Prophet fasted on Ashura when Allah saved Moses from Pharaoh	Mourning for Husayn's martyrdom at Karbala	Quran 42:23 - "love for my near relatives" (mourning shows love for Prophet's family)	Love for Prophet's family doesn't require ritualized mourning; Ashura pre-dates Karbala and was observed for Allah saving Moses from Pharaoh