Differences in Islam

Week 8 Discussion for World Religions – REL212

“Differences in Islam” Please respond to the following:

•Discuss the main similarities and differences between at least two sects of the Islamic religion.

•Discuss the overall role of women in the Islamic religion. Name at least two ways in which the role of women is different in Islam from the role of women in another mainstream religion we have studied.

Sunni and Shi’a are the two main Islam denominations, Sunni, the larger of the two, represents about 80% of the Muslim population (Fisher, 2014, p. 423). They both believe in the sacred text from the Qur’an. Their differences originate from leadership; Sunni’s elected the first caliph, Abu Bakr to lead “the people of Sunnah”. The Shi’a believed the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad was ‘Ali (Fisher, 2014, p. 424-425).

Both Sunni and Shia Muslims share the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The differences between these two main sub-groups within Islam initially stemmed not from spiritual differences, but political ones. Over the centuries, however, these political differences have spawned a number of varying practices and positions which have come to carry a spiritual significance.

In Islam, a man can have up to four wives at the same time (Sura 4:3). In addition, a man is given the right to beat his disobedient wife until she obeys (Sura 4:34, Bukhari 8:68). According the Quran, “Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made some of them to excel others…and (as to) those on whose part you fear rebellion, admonish them, and leave them alone in beds apart, and beat them.” Note that in one popular English translation of the Quran the term “lightly” is placed after “beat them.” But “lightly” is not in the Arabic. Here are six translations of Sura 4:34. Men are superior to women in Islamic teaching. (See Suras 2:228, 4:34). Interestingly, Islam teaches that the majority of people in hell are women (Bukhari 1:28, 1:301, and 2:161).

Fundamentalist Christianity condones none of the above abuses of women. While Old Testament figures had multiple wives, this is seen as sinful behavior. Jesus insisted on the sanctity of marriage with one woman (Mark 10:5-12).

Fisher, M. P. (2014). Living religions (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/christianity-vs.-islam