Understanding Muslim Identity: Sunni vs. Shia, Heritage, and Development

1. IDENTITY-SUNNI VERSION Muslim Majority

2. Development of Identity • Within a few months of birth • Grows in family • Grows further in school and community • Sees differences in: • Color • Language • Religion • Behavior and Customs

3. Consequences of Identity • When Affirmative Can be an Incentive: • to flourish and • innovate • When Negative Can: • Lower self-respect and • even destroy self-confidence

4. Identity in America • Born in America and raised by immigrant parents • Middle Eastern • Irish • Chinese • Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or other identities • Immigrated to America, thus facing: • Cultural clashes • Nationality dilemma • Language barrier • Education seeking

5. Hold to Identity • Islamicly: • Sunni • Shi’a • Culturally: • Habits, ethics, and Morality • Nationality: • Language • Education

6. Two Branches of Islam The Shi’a and The Sunni

7. Islamic Identity • Know your Islamic Affiliation: Shi’a or Sunni • Educate yourself about your conviction • Master the English to express yourself well • Express yourself with conviction and vigor • Talk with confidence and with pride

8. Sunni Schools of Thought: • At first there were many Schools of Thought (more than 20 schools). • Through time only four schools persisted: • Hanafi • Maaliki • Shafi‘i • Hanbali

9. Statistics as of 1996: SHI’A …………………………………………..…….. 282 Millions SUNNI • Hanafi …………….……………………...…………. 380 Millions • Maaliki ………………………………………………. 305 Millions • Shafi’i ……………………………………………….. 190 Millions • Hanbali …………………………………….......…….. 52 Millions

10. Similarities: Sunni-Shi’a • Faith • Doctrine • Basics of Rituals • Ethical Values • Eschatology

11. Dissimilarities: Sunni-Shi’a • Political: Matter of the Khilaafah • Ahlul Bayt (Family of the Prophet) • Expression of Rituals: the Ritual Technique • Evolution of Heritage: Shi’a versus Sunni • Source References • Tafseer, • Hadith, • Other Islamic interpretation

12. The Source

13. The Sunni and Ahlul Bayt • 300 narrators of all Al-Sihah Al-Sitta were students of Al-Saadiq • 70 narrators of Al-Bukhari were students of Al-Saadiq • Ahlul Bayt Carried out the Teaching of Islam after the Prophet for 329 Years over Twelve Generations • The best available means to teach in absence of media

14. Heritage: Sunni Versus Shi’a

15. Heritage: Sunni Versus Shi’a

16. Sunni Heritage • Identify with One of 4 Madh’habs: • Hanafi and its Fiqh • Shafi’i and its Fiqh • Maaliki and its Fiqh • Hanbali and its Fiqh • Identify exclusively with Al-Sihaah Al-Sitta

17. Cultural Identity • Hold to your ways but be discerning • Make effort to befriend people of your nationality • Be friendly to Americans • Explain to Americans your ways with pride • Make Frequent visits to Islamic Centers

18. Nationalistic Identity • Speak your language with parents • Teach children Arabic as well as your own language • Celebrate your usual national holidays • Attend meetings catering to your national aspirations

19. Unique opportunity in America • The US is your host country that gives you freedom of expression and work opportunity • As its guest: • respect the ways fit for the Americans, but • keep your ways intact and sound • Be innovative and aggressive in pursuit of you goals and aims

20. Unique opportunity in America • Get involved in the American Process • Seek Professions: • Business • Construction • Government • Political • Administrative • Investments • The Myriad others available • Encourage your children to Pursue Professions of Potential Value to America as well as Islamic Society

21. THANK YOU Be in Allah’s Care A.S. Hashim, MD