Sunni

Shia

Adherents called

Sunnis

Shiites, Shi'i, or Shia

Meaning of name

"tradition" or "well-trodden path"

"partisans of Ali"

Current adherents

80-90% of 1.8 billion Muslims

10-20% of 1.8 billion Muslims

Did Muhammad designate a successor?

No

Yes

True successor of the Prophet

Abu Bakr, father of Muhammad's wife, A'isha

Ali ibn Abi Talib, husband of Fatimah, Muhammad's daughter

Qualifications for leader of the faith

Tribe of the Prophet; later, any qualified ruler

Family of the Prophet

Leadership

Imam is a prayer leader; no clerical hierarchy

Imam is exalted position; Ayatollah is title for highest imams

Quality of imams

Human

Infallible manifestations of God; perfect interpreters of the Qur'an

Approach to Islam

Qur'an applies to entire life; individuals approach God directly

More orthodox; Qur'an and laws interpreted by clerics

Holy cities

Mekka, Medina, Jerusalem

Mekka, Najaf, Karbala, Medina, Jerusalem

Day of communal worship (not considered Sabbath or a holy day)

Friday

Friday