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Shiite Islam
The Shiites (Arabic: شيعة, Shīʿah) represent the second largest denomination of Islam and represent roughly 15% of all Muslims. Shiites are called Shia, Shi'i, and Ahle Tashi in different parts of the world. The name is a short-form of the phrase Shīʻatu ʻAlī (شيعة علي), meaning "followers", "faction", or "party" of Prophet Muhammad's son-in-law and cousin Ali, whom the Shiites believe to be Prophet Muhammad's proper successor in the Caliphate. Shiite Islam has several major groups including Fivers (Zaydis), Seveners (Ismailis), and Twelvers, with the Twelvers being the dominant sect in modern times.
1,025 Questions
The two factions of HinduismIslamChristianityJudaism are Shiite and Sunni?
The two factions of Islam are Shiite and Sunni.Shia and Sunni have mostly same beliefs and both believe in fundamental beliefs of Islam. Today there is up to 260 sects in Islam that are in two main categories of shia and sunni.
the conflict of shia and sunni has been always amplified by world Imperialism to prevent Islam from gaining power.
Shia believes in Allah, prophet and all fundamentals of Islam.
Shia pray 5 times a day but usually do the 2, 3 and 4, 5 pray together and so may seem they do only 3 pray a day. there is some differences in details of pray like genuflect (for shia should be on a stone or part of earth and for sunni on carpet or floor ).
shia believe after death of prophet God selected the successive for prophet who is the political leader of Muslim community and people can not and does not the right to selected it.
Shia believes the Caliph (Representative of God in earth) is selected only by God and can not be selected by people because God said in Koran: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) or "O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth" (Quran 38:26) also other verses.
Shia believes such verses means only God can select an Islamic political leader (Caliph).
In Shia Islam Caliphs after prophet are 12 Imams and all of them are the same and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything (not absolute knowledge like knowledge of God) and they hear all sayings and even thinks of all humans after even after their death by permission of God and they are intermediates between God and human Shia Muslims always support them and forgive their lives for them.
Shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph by people valid because God did not select him. They believe God ordered prophet to declare people that Ali is selected as successor of prophet and prophet did this mission many times during his prophet-hood and mainly in Ghadir event after last Hajj of his life at a 3-4 hour speech in front of 120,000 Muslims at Ghadir in hot desert after 2 days stop of long caravan for gathering and 3 days after speech for congratulations and homage of Muslims to Ali. Islam at that time had high power in world and Some companions had high interest in leadership position after prophet. Muslims knew that it is the final Hajj of prophet (predicted by prophet) and were going along with prophet to hear what prophet says at end of his life. Shia believes Ghadir event is the most important event of Islam and is mentioned in Koran in many verses like "Today" (اليوم) in verse 5:3 of Quran is the day of Ghadir. Or Verse 5:67 (O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith) is revealed at Ghadir day and is about declaring political leadership of Ali after prophet.
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims accept happening of Ghadir event But different interpret. Some Sunni writers tried to reject the event of Ghadir as declare of leadership of Ali and said at Ghadir prophet only wanted to say Ali is my friend and no one should bother him. Ali had 3 different missions to Yemen by prophet during 10 years and in 2 of them some companions of prophet had some conflicts with Ali and and prophet said some sayings about Ali to solve conflicts and some sunni writers have mixed stories of missions of Ali to Yemen with story of Ghadir to prove Ghadir event is not about Leadership of Ali and is not important.
Shia scholars believe some Sunni writers have changed and deviated historical evidences about political leadership of Ali in old historical books and republished them to destroy evidences of leadership of Ali from old Sunni books.
The famous Shia book Al-Ghadir (الغدير) by Allameh Amini is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Events written after referring to 100,000 Sunni books and full reading of 10,000 sunny books. Allameh Amini is a famous Shia scholar and spent 40 years of his life in travelling to access original old Sunni books in libraries in different countries to write this 20 volume book only from Sunni books and not using any Shia book. Some Sunni scholars tried to reply this book but then said if we want to reply this book we should first destroy all books of ourselves.
Shia doctrine have root in Karbala tragedy. When tragedy of Karbala happened most of Iranians understood there is two different kinds of Islam and after happening of Karbala tragedy most of Iranians became followers of "Ahl al-Bayt" and forgive their lives for them like what they did in Iranian Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. Shia Muslims have at least 120,000 Hadith (saying) from The Fourteen Infallibles that is the base of Shia Islam along with Quran. Shia believes according to " Hadith of the two weighty things" The Fourteen Infallibles are the only valid interpreters of Quran and sayings of them are from God because they are Representative of God in earth and they do not say anything from themselves. Shia believes 12th of them (Mahdi) is alive and because people have killed all 11 Imams before him, he is in hide like Jesus and will come out of hide toghether with Jesus when people become ready and want to accept his leadership. All 11 Imams have been killed and during their life thy all have been in prison or under hard control of government to not have any political action. They never had enough serious followers to can get political power. Among them only the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq was relatively free in his life to have only scientific activities (but banned from any political action) and so only he is known in west because he established university and had students from all over the world. Westerns know him as a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. He was also the teacher of the famous chemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān (Geber), and of Abū Ḥanīfa, the founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence. He never wanted be a famous man and only shared his knowledge with who wanted to learn. Some researchers consider his teachings the root cause of renaissance.
Sunni Muslims also accept Mahdi and his worldwide leadership as Caliph of God in earth at end of world. There is a famous Hadith from prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Mahdi at hide is like sun behind cloud, he is hidden from people but people receive his benefits. Shia Muslims say some faithful believers have connection with Mahdi and use his knowledge. Shia Muslims believe that it is proved at least 1000 persons have had connection and talk with Mahdi during his hide period but Any one having relation with Mahdi keep it and does not declare it in public until is alive.
Which country is fighting an insurgency of Shi'ite rebels?
currently Saudi Arabia.
shia Muslims are minority in Arabia and have no power.
How did the shi'a and sunni group arise?
The major difference is historical. The Shiites did not agree on the elected Caliphs (who followed Prophet Muhammad after his death). They believed that the Caliphs should only be within Prophet Muhammad descendants and family. Accordingly, they were supporting Ali Ibn about Taleb (Prophet cousin and the husband of his daughter Fatima) to be the first Caliph. However, they didn't protest against the elected Caliphs (Abou Bakr, Omar, and Ottman) and even Ali, himself, was good supporter and adviser to the three Caliphs until he was elected as the fourth Caliph.
However, Both Sunnis and Shiites believe that no God except one and only one God, the Creator with no partner, no father, no son, no companion, no associate, and no resemblance and that prophet Muhammad is His messenger and prophet. They both believe in God Angels, all God prophets, all God holy book, the Day of Judgment, and destiny. They believe in the five Pillars of Islam. They both face the direction of Kaaba when praying. They pray in any mosque regardless the praying leader is Sunni or Shiite. They may differ in some minor details of rituals but these details are not critical to neither the Shiites nor the Sunnis.
What title or role is Ayatollah Khomeini in the government have?
the late Imam Khomeini was the great leader of Islamic republic of Iran.
The Shiite Muslim goals are the same as Sunni Muslim goals. The goals of any Muslim are:
- Submission to God, the one and only one God
- performing ritual worships per the five pillars of Islam and Islam principles.
- Following the Islam guides and moral per God commands in Islam and Prophet mUhammad (PBUH) teachings.
- Doing good deeds for the community, society, nature, and mankind
Refer to question below for Islam important principles.
shia and sunni have mostly same beliefs and both believe in fundamental beliefs of Islam. today there is up to 260 sect in Islam that are in two category of shia and sunni.
shia believes in Allah, prophet and all fundamentals of Islam.
shia believe after death of prophet God selects the successive for prophet who is the leader of Muslim community and people can not select it.
shia believe the Caliph (Representative of God in earth after prophet) is appointed only by God and can not be selected by people because God said in Koran: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." (Quran 2:30)
this means only God can select an Islamic leader.
in shia they are only fourteen infallible (12 Imams and prophet and his daughter Fatimah Zahra (sa))
and all of them are the same and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything (this knowledge is from God and by permission of God and is not absolute knowledge. absolute knowledge is only for God and they still do not know many things. but they know anything human may need to know.) and they never die and they hear all sayings and even thinks of all humans after their death by permission of God and they are intermediates between God and human.
and shia Muslims always support them and forgive their lives for them.
shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph valid because God did not select him. they believe God ordered prophet to declare Ali is selected as successor of prophet (Quran 5:3) and prophet did this mission in Ghadir event that was in last Hajj of prophet in his life and prophet did a speech for 120,000 Muslims participating that Hajj with prophet. the famous shia book Al-Ghadir is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Hadith from 100,000 sunni references and read all of 10,000 sunny books. one sunni scholar said if we want to reply Al-Ghadir book (by Allameh Amini) we should first destroy all our books.
How many Muslims in Afghanistan are Shiite and how many are Sunni?
Over 99% of the Afghan population is Muslim: approximately 80-85% follow the Sunni sect, 15-19% are Shi'a, and 1% other.
Where the umayyads sunni or shiite?
sunn.
they were anti shia and killed and kept in prison some of 12 Imams of Shia.
Why did US put shiites in power in Iraq instead of sunis?
US did not decide about it. US came to Iraq for stay, not for leave. actually US was forced to leave Iraq, not intended to leave Iraq. so US did not have any plan for what will happen after leave. Shia Muslims themselves are more political and have more power in Iraq. Well that is not what happened! The US Military took over Iraq and defeated the Military that was controlled by the Sunnis. After the USA defeated the Sunni Military they disbanded the Sunni Military. If the USA had left the Sunni Military in power they the Sunnis would have controlled Iraq, but the USA disbanded the Sunni Military and Sunni Government and allowed the majority Shii take over. WHY DID THEY DO IT! Saudi Arabia and the majority of Arab governments are Sunni controlled and you can bet they were not happy with the Bush Administration and the USA allowing the Shia taking over Iraq and bolstering Iran that also has a Shaei government! Why did the USA put a Shia government when they could have left Sunnis in power?
Answer 1
Any Muslim is shia or sunni based on his beliefs even if himself is not aware of being shia or sunni.
Any sufi is shia or sunni.
most of sufi leaders in history have been sunni.
sufi has many branches and most of them are deviated. for example some of them say namaz is not needed.
real sufi means paying more attention to spiritual aspects of Islam. but does not mean leavings Islam rules.
Answer 2
Sufis are not "milder" than Sunnis or Shiites; in fact, they are all either Sunnis or Shiites. They are just less concerned with the dogmatic observance of the law that orthodox Sunni and Shiite Islam are based in. Sufis are mystical and while following the law, they seek to have an emotional relationship with God. There are many different groups of Sufis and most live relatively similar to monks, wearing special robes and living poorly and chastely. One particular group is the one that the question refers to called the Whirling Dervishes. They are commonly found in Western Anatolia and believe that they can connect with God by spinning around while meditating on His attributes.
Ottoman leader Suleyman and Safavid leader ABBAs were different for the following reason?
Suleyman gained new territories that his empire had never previously controlled, while Abbas lost lands.
Do the actions of Sunnis and Shiites still affect the region today?
It depends on the region in question. Additionally, it depends on how the question is read. If it asking whether or not Sunnis and Shiites have an impact on the region as groups and as individuals, the answer is almost certainly "yes" for any area with a substantial population of either. If the question is whether any conflict or disagreement between them is affecting the region, you may have to narrow down the region to particular countries.
How many Shia live in Saudi Arabia?
About 10-15% of the population of Saudi Arabia is Shiite, so about 2.5 - 4 million people.
What are the features that distinguish the Sunni and Shii groups?
The Sunni groups are the *true* followers of Islam. They believe and follow the religion on Islam because the Prophet Mohammad pbuh is the Messenger of Allah. While the Shias follow the religion of Islam believing that the Quran came down upon the Prophet as a mistake and should have come down on his grandsons (Hassan & Hussein). Which sets a huge difference in these two groups. They usually do everything totally different than each other but the true and correct group is the Sunni group.
What are the sunny and the shia?
The sunni and the shia are two different branches of Islam. They had the same belief at one point, but then the beliefs changed. Some differencess are, sunnis believe everything in the ocean is halal (halal means clean for Muslims to eat) while shias eat no shelled fish (except for shrimp) or fish without scales. Sunnis cross their arms while praying, shias keep their arms at their sides. Sunnis believe abu bakar was the first caliph after prophet muhammud, shias believe imam ali ( they believe he's prophet muhammud's successor) was the first caliph.
Why would a country be concerned about a large Shiite population within their country?
shia Muslims live in many countries. Iran is the main Shia county and the leader of Shia Islam in world. Shia Islam constitute the majority of the population in Iran (90%), Azerbaijan (75%), Bahrain (30%), Lebanon (65% of Muslims) and Iraq (65%), Yemen (45%). Other countries with a significant proportion of Shia are Syria (15%), Kuwait (35%), Pakistan (20%), India (23% of Muslims), Afghanistan (15%), Saudi Arabia (18%), Turkey (20%), United Arab Emirates (16%), Qatar (15%), Albania(25%).
other Muslim countries are mainly sunni with minor shia population. Qum in Iran and Najaf in iraq are two main city of Shia Islam.
Why do Shiites pray five prayers in three times?
One of the issues, among many others, that the Sunnis quarrel with the Shia about is the form, method, and time of the Prayer (Salat) prescribed on every male and female believer. Indeed, they make a mockery of the Shi'i prayer!
The Shia acknowledge FIVE daily PRAYERS. However, they are allowed to pray them in THREE distinct TIMES, not five; the five prayers are: Fajr (Morning), Zuhr (Noon), `Asr (Afternoon), Maghrib (Sunset), and Isha (Night).
The Shia can optionally pray 5 times combined into 3 prayers, while some Shia fiqhs pray 3 distinct times.
In Shia majority regions of the Arab world you will usually find 3 adhans a day rather than the 5 adhans as in Sunni majority regions.
The Fajr (morning) is prayed at the same time as the Sunnis do; however, the Shia usually wait 10 minutes before they consider it to be time for Fajr.
We are allowed to pray noon and afternoon prayer one after another (without a lot of delay between the two). Similarly we are allowed to pray sunset prayer and night prayer one after another. Actually it is better to pray in their own specific time (close to what Sunnis do), but it is not necessary. Thus instead of five separate times, we can pray all the five daily prayers only in three separate times.
(NOTE: The prayers in ALL cases are DISTINCT (separate), it's NOT that they (the Shia) pray eight Raka't (for Zuhr and `Asr) straight, or seven Raka't (for Maghrib and Isha) straight, as part of ONE prayer. It is the SAME regular form of prayer, but combined into one TIME, NOT one PRAYER.)
It should also be noted that the Sunnis agree to the combining of prayers in the case of Rain, Travel, Fear, or other emergencies. Two forms are allowed: Jam'a Taqdeem (Early Combination) or Jam'a Ta-ikheer (Late Combination). An example of Early combination is the combining of Zuhr and `Asr to be prayed in the time of Zuhr. An example of Late Combination is the combining of the Zuhr and `Asr to be prayed in the time of `Asr. The EXCEPTION among the Sunni schools are the Hanifites (Followers of Abu Hanifa): They contend that you CANNOT combine the prayers at any time, not even if you're traveling. This clearly violated the other Sunni schools of thought, but it was and still is tolerated. The Maliki's, Shafeei's, and Hanbali's all agree to the combining of prayers when one is traveling, but are in conflict on other times. The Shia said that one can combine the prayers ANYTIME without ANY cause of fear, rain, or whatever. Nonetheless, the Shia also contend that if you want to pray them separately, it is acceptable as well.
Now, let's question why the Shia perform the Prayers as described above, and who is more accurate in their Prayer, the Sunnis or the Shia? Here is what Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
"Establish regular prayers at the Sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the recital of the Quran in the morning prayer; for the recital of the dawn is Witnessed. [17:78]"
How many prayer times are mentioned? THREE, NOT five. Count them: the "Sun's Decline, Darkness of the Night, and the Morning Prayer." That's THREE, not FIVE.
Now, what did the Prophet (PBUH&HF) do? Here's what Ibn Abbas, one of the most famous narrators, says according to the Musnad of Ibn Hanbal (One of the books of tradition):
"The Prophet (PBUH&HF) prayed in Madina, while residing there, NOT TRAVELING, seven and eight (this is an indication to the seven Raka't of Maghrib and Isha combined, and the eight Raka't of Zuhr and `Asr combined)."
Musnad al-Imam Ibn Hanbal, vol. 1, page 221.
Also, in the Muwatta' of Malik (Imam of Maliki sect), vol. 1, page 161, Ibn Abbas says:
"The Prophet (PBUH&HF) prayed Zuhr and `Asr in combination and Maghrib and Isha in combination WITHOUT a reason for fear or travel."
As for Sahih Muslim, see the following under the chapter of "Combination of
prayers, when one is resident":
Ibn Abbas reported: The messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) observed the noon and the afternoon prayers together, and the sunset and Isha prayers together without being in a state of fear or in a state of journey
Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter CCL, Tradition #1515
Ibn Abbas reported that the messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) combined the noon prayer with the afternoon prayer and the sunset prayer with the Isha prayer in Medina without being in a state of danger or rainfall. And in the hadith transmitted by Waki(the words are): "I said to Ibn Abbas: What prompted him to do that? He said: So that his(prophet's)Ummah should not be put to (unnecessary) hardship."
Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter CCL, Tradition #1520
Abdullah b. Shaqiq reported: Ibn Abbas one day addressed us in the afternoon(after the afternoon prayer) till the sun disappeared, and the stars appeared, and the people began to say: Prayer, prayer. A person from Banu Tamim came there. He neither slackened nor turned away, but (continued crying): Prayer, prayer. Ibn Abbas said: May you be deprived of your mother, do you teach me sunnah? And then he said: I saw the messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) combining the noon and afternoon prayers and the sunset and Isha prayers. Abdullah b. Shaqiq said: Some doubt was created in my mind about it. So I came to Abu Huraira and asked him(about it) and he testified his assertion.
Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter CCL, Tradition #1523
Abdullah b. Shaqiq al-Uqaili reported: A person said to Ibn Abbas(as he delayed the prayer): Prayer. He kept silent. He again said: Prayer. He again kept silent, and he cried: Prayer. He again kept silent and said: May you be deprived of your mother, do you teach us about prayer? We used to combine two prayers during the lifetime of the messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him).
Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter CCL, Tradition #1524
Ibn Abbas reported: The messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) observed the noon and afternoon prayers together in Medina without being in a state of fear or in a state of journey. Abu Zubair said: I asked Sa'id[one of the narrators] why he did that. He said: I asked Ibn Abbas as you have asked me, and he replied that he[the Holy prophet] wanted that no one among his Ummah should be put to [unnecessary] hardship.
Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter CCL, Tradition #1516
Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) observed in Medina seven (rakahs) and eight(rakahs), i.e., (he combined) the noon and afternoon prayers(eight rakahs) and the sunset and Isha prayers(seven Rakahs).
Sahih Muslim, English version, Chapter CCL, Tradition #1522
Reference in the Related Link below.
When Ayatollah Ali khamenai performe hajj?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has performed Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, multiple times throughout his life. His most notable pilgrimage occurred in 1987, during which he participated in significant religious and political activities. While the exact dates of his Hajj performances may vary, he has consistently emphasized the importance of this pilgrimage in the context of Islamic unity and resistance against oppression.
What are the pros and cons of a shia and sunni?
The primary pro of Sunni Islam is its larger following, which allows for a diverse range of interpretations and practices, fostering a rich cultural tapestry. Conversely, Shia Islam emphasizes a strong sense of community and leadership through its clerical hierarchy, which can provide stability and guidance. However, divisions between the two sects can lead to conflict, with historical grievances sometimes fueling tensions. Additionally, Sunni Muslims often have more decentralized religious authority, which can lead to varied practices, while Shia Muslims may face challenges in regions where they are a minority.
Do Sunnis and Shiites live together peacefully or fight over their disagreements?
Answer 1
there is no fight between sunni and shiite.factual and real shites and sunnis are religious brotheres and hence they try to solve their divergences in peaceful way not as already planned by war and wrath,in better words they try to near to each other through dialogue and permmisibility . threrefore we can say that according to the both of them,peacefuly and reconcilation is antecedent to other anythings.the history of islam shows that shittes and sunni try to resolve their problems in terms of arguing and dialogue.
Answer 2
Certainly, they do. Not all Sunnis and Shiites fight, but many do. Additionally, there is no general conflict between all or almost all Sunnis and Shiites in the way that there were conflicts in Europe between almost all Catholics and Protestants in the 16th and 17th century (Thirty Years War et al.). While there are certainly conflicts between Sunnis and Shiites, it is always in a localized or national context, not an international one. In much of the Muslim world, "Sunni" and "Shiite" are viewed as more than just religious labels, but have a "quasi-ethnic" component. It has the power to determine social groups and political organizations, prompting conflict on those grounds.
However, there are numerous theological differences which spark controversy between Sunnis and Shiites which directly lead to conflict, including:
1) Theology: The Muslim community was united while Mohammed was the leader of this community. Most Muslims hold, however, that he never specifically chose a successor to his leadership. There was a minority in the community that supported the candidacy of 'Ali, the Prophet's son-in-law, this political faction became known as the "Supporters of 'Ali" which in Arabic is Shiat 'Ali (where the modern term "Shiite" comes from). They derived their support from specific hadiths and events that they claimed showed that God had revealed to Mohammed that 'Ali would succeed him. The majority of Muslims held that these hadiths and events showed nothing more than that 'Ali was very pious, something they did not deny. Therefore they gave power to the man who was Mohammed's second-in-command and father-in-law Abu Bakr. This majority were called the People of the Customs [of the Prophet] which in Arabic is Ahl Sunna (from where the modern term "Sunni" comes from.)
2) Historical Grievances: The primary reason this division persists is that there has never been an atonement by either side for the pain and persecution that it has suffered when the other was in power over a given territory. Although, Shiites endured more persecution at the hands of Sunnis than the reverse, this is not to say that Sunnis have not endured persecution at Shiite hands. Both groups remain defiant that since they have the moral high-ground as granted from their faith, their actions in repressing the other sect, torturing its adherents, and murdering its leaders was progress towards removing the heresy. Compare this to the Catholics, who have apologized for the Rape of Byzantium, which was huge historical grievance between them and the Orthodox.
3) Ethnic Identities: In many countries, especially Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, people identify "ethnically" by their sect of religion. Therefore saying somebody is Shiite in Iraq is similar to how people view being Irish-American or Japanese-American in the United States. It marks you socially and it determines who your friends are, who you marry, what jobs you take, who you love, who you despise, etc. As a result, whenever conflict has broken out, each religious group comes together to defend its people's interests. This results in political and social hatred of the other religion in addition to any theological issues.
4) Rumors of the Other's Theology: Some Sunnis think that Shiites are deluded into believing that 'Ali was a second prophet, which would violate Mohammed being the final capstone of the Prophets, a huge theological issue. Some Shiites believe that Sunnis were paid off to accept the three Rightly-Guided Caliphs before 'Ali and that Sunni Islam was therefore corrupt and ineligible to continue the Islamic tradition. Both have alleged the other was deceived by Jews, which says more about how Muslims view Jews than each other. Of course, both of these are mis-characterizations of the actual theologies of these two sects, but the point remains that as long as these problematic rumors exist, the two sides cannot reconcile.
5) Approaches to Government: Ever since the abolition of the Caliphate in 1936, Sunni Islam has been leaderless and there has come to be an understanding that religion does not participate in actual governance. (This is not a separation of church and state since the two can cooperate closely, but this prevents direct theocracy.) Shiites, on the other hand, have religious leaders called Ayatollahs who do attempt to have terrestrial authority and in Iran have actually achieved it.
