Islam is the youngest of the world's religions, emerging at the beginning of the 7th century AD. Historically, the first schism in Islam, which occurred in the middle of the 7th century, gave rise to the emergence of several directions, within which there are significant differences.
Islam is not a single religion. In the second half of the 7th century AD. due to the dispute over the inheritance of religious and secular power, 3 main directions arose: Sunnism, Kharijitism and Shiism.
Sunnism
Sunnism is the largest trend in Islam, because almost 90% of Muslims around the world are Sunnis. The Koran and the Sunnah are recognized as sources of creed, and all four caliphs after Muhammad are considered righteous. Thus, Sunnism has always been the official religion of the Arab Caliphate and adhered to the principles proclaimed by the prophet.
Very often, Sunnis are called people of truth, professing genuine orthodoxy. On the basis of the Koran and the Sunnah, the faithful have developed a code of rights for Muslims, i.e. sharia.
Sunnism is represented in all Muslim countries, except Lebanon, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran and Azerbaijan.
Shiism
At the beginning of the second half of the 7th century, Shiism emerged, which in Arabic means a party or group.
According to the teachings of Shiites, only the descendants of Ali and Fatima, descended from the Prophet Muhammad, have the right to occupy the post of Caliph-Imam. Imams are infallible in all their deeds and faith. The cult of martyrs is very widespread among the Shiites; the festival of ashura is presented, which is celebrated on the day when Ali Hussein was killed.
The Koran is also recognized by those hadiths in the Sunnah, the author of which is the fourth caliph Ali and his followers. Shiites created their own sacred books - akhbars, including the hadith of Ali.
The places of worship, in addition to Mecca, include Najef, Karbala and Mashhad. Most Shiites live in Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan.
Kharijitism
Kharijitism (from Arab. Rebel) became an independent trend at the end of the 7th century. Kharijites believe that the spiritual and political head of state should be elected. All believers, regardless of their skin color and origin, should have the right to take part in elections. Any Muslim can be elected to the post of Caliph Imam, not just a representative of the ruling elite.
The Kharijites did not ascribe any sacred significance to the spiritual and political head. The Caliph Imam performs only the functions of a military leader and protector of the interests of the state. The community that has chosen the head of state has the right to judge or execute him if he does not perform his duties well or is a traitor or tyrant. Kharijites believe that in different areas there may be their own caliph-imams.
The Kharijites recognize only the first two caliphs, deny the doctrine of the uncreated Koran, and do not accept the cult of saints.
Already in the VIII century. Kharijites have lost their influence, and at the moment their community is represented only in some regions of Africa (Algeria, Libya) and in Oman.
