4 MAIN ISLAMIC GROUPS

	SHIA	SUNNI	SUFI	WAHABI
Quran & Interpretation	Shia believe in the same Quran with interpretation according to the 14 Masums	Same Quran with interpretation according to Sahabah, Abobakr, Omar, Osman, Ayisha, Abo Horaira	Same Quran with interpretation according to their own Sufi Masters	Same Quran interpretation according to Ibn Taymiah & Abdul, Wahab

14 Masums (Infallible): Prophet (PBUH), Fatima (RA), Ali (RA), Imam Hassan, Imam Hossein, Imam Zain Ul-Abedin, Imam Bagir, Imam Jafar Sadique, Imam Kazim, Imam Reza, Imam Taghi, Imam Naghi, Imam Hassan Askari, Imam Mahdi (SA)

	SHIA	SUNNI	SUFI	WAHABI
Prophet’s Sunnat	Sunnat according to Fatima Zahra, Imam Ali, 12 Imams, Ahlul Bayt in “Osoul Kafi”	Sunnat according to Abobakr, Omar Ayisha, Abo Horaira in “Bukhari”	Sunnat according to either Shia or Sunni sources verified by Sufi Masters	They want to rely on the Quran alone. Sunnat according to Ibn Taymiah and Abdul Wahab.
Love of Prophet (PBUH)	Love of Prophet and Ahlul Bayt is the cornerstone of Shia Ideology	They love the Prophet and they respect the Ahlul Bayt	They love the Prophet and like Ahlul Bayt, depends on being Shia or Sunni	They believe Prophet came and is gone. They reject any special love for the Prophet or Ahlul Bayt.
Love of Ahlul Bayt	Shia loves the Prophet, Fatima Zahra, Imam Ali, and all 12 Imams. All the 14 Masums are role models for Shia.	Respect Ahlul Bayt. No special love. They respect Seyeds (descendants of Prophet and Ahlul Bayt)	Sufi’s like Ahlul Bayt and use them as role models, too. They love and respect Seyeds, too.	No love for Ahlul Bayt, Wahabi’s destroyed Imam’s tombs in Medina in the 19^th Century. They are still hostile to Ahlul Bayt and Seyeds.

	SHIA	SUNNI	SUFI	WAHABI
Sahabah	Shia loves some of the Sahabah, but not all, i.e. Abosofyan or Moavieh, Talheh Zobier were bad.	Loves all Sahabah. They say no criticism of Sahabah like Osman or Moavieh	Like all Sahabahs, Abobakr, Omar, Osman, Ali and others.	No love for any Sahabah. They are all historical figures.
Birthday and Death Day Memorial for Prophet and Ahlul Bayt (14 Masums)	Shia celebrates 14 Masums’ birthdays and mourns their death day every year.	Some celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, others do not.	Celebrates the Prophet’s birthday, not the Ahlul Bayt’s.	Say celebrating Prophet’s birthday is Shirk and Haram.
Ashura 10^th of Moharram, 61 AH	All Shia mourn Imam Hossein martyrdom. They cry and beat their chest.	Some celebrate Ashura to sympathize with Jews. Some mourn.	Mourn for Imam Hossein‘s martyrdom.	Celebrate Ashura to sympathize with Jews instead of mourning for Imam Hossein.
Imam Mahdi Alayhe Salam	Shia believes 12^th Imam Mahdi will return on the Day of Judgement with Jesus.	Some Sunni believe in Imam Mahdi’s coming, but not as the 12^th Imam.	Sufi believes in Imam Mahdi’s coming, but not as the 12^th Imam, just a descendant of the Prophet	Do not believe in Imam Mahdi’s existence. They consider that Shirk.
Sunnat’s dress code for Imam	All Imams follow the Prophet’s Sonnat: Turban, full beard, Aba, Tasbih to maintain Islamic identity.	Some follow Sonnat, some follow Western cloth – suit and tie to mingle with Western leaders.	All Sufi leaders follow full Sonnat: turban, full beard, Aba, Tasbih. Islamic identity is very important.	Some Wahabi leaders in the West wear suit and tie, and follow Western style clothing.
Edalat – Social Justice	Shia believe God is just and wants social justice for everyone. Shia must strive for social justice. Injustice is not Godly and should not be tolerated.	God is just. We must accept what we have, we cannot change our future (Jabri) (fatalistic), good for leaders not for followers.	Sufi’s are more Jabri. They accept what they have, they do not fight for justice. They sympathize with people.	Wahabi’s are Jabri. They believe in separation of religion and politics. They tolerate injustice and corruption, like Saudi.
	SHIA	SUNNI	SUFI	WAHABI
Emamat Pious Leadership – Historical Facts	Shia believes Prophet (PBUH) in Ghadir Khom recommended Imam Ali (RA) as his successor, but Khelafat was unjustly taken by Abobakr	Sunni believe the Prophet did not choose his successor, therefore, Omar nominated Abobakr and got Bayat for him in Saghifa.	Shia follows Shia line and Sunni follows Sunni line. They try not to talk about it, and solve the problem with peace.	Believe the Sunni line. All others are considered Mushrik and outside Islam.
21^st Century, Moral Leadership Marja Taghlid	Shia have leaders Ayatallah that they follow. Shia believes leader must be pious like Ayatallah Khomeyni.	Have no leader or Ayatallah that they follow, have no Igtihad. Each group follows a leader. There is no unity.	Have their own Sufi Masters that they follow Sufi Masters are very pious and lead their Tarighat (followers).	Have their own leaders that they follow in Saudi Arabia.
Intercession (Shafaat) Forgiveness Magfesat	Shia believes 14 Masums can intercede for their pious Shia to Allah for forgiveness on the Day of Judgement. Shafaat promotes piety.	Some believe in Shafaat, some do not. Some believe Shafaat may cause corruption by a false hope.	Sufi believe in Shafaat of their Sufi Masters to Prophet and then Allah for their pious followers. Shafaat promotes reliance on Shafi.	Do not agree with Shafaat and consider it Shirk, Haram and they say it promotes corruption.
Women’s Rights	Shia’s role models are Fatima Zahra and Zaynab Kobra women have equal rights. Must protect family structure.	Sunni role model is Ayisha. They believe in equal rights, but family comes first.	Sufi’s believe in women’s rights and protection of family.	Wahabi’s do not agree with women’s rights. Women are not allowed to drive a car or go to family restaurants in Saudi Arabia.

	SHIA	SUNNI	SUFI	WAHABI
Marjae Taghlid Special Imam	Shia have a special Imam they follow and obey in all issues, private, social or political, etc. Unity is most important.	Sunni do not have a special Imam that they follow. Therefore, there is no unity.	Sufi Masters are role models for their Morid, all Sufi’s follow their leader on all issues. Each Tarighat is very united.	Wahabi’s have a leader that they follow. They are very united in their ideology.
Dawat Principles	Love of 14 Masums, social justice, pious leadership, following 14 Masums as role models, living as Quran.	Love of Prophet (PBUH) and Quran discussions. Sahabah’s as role models..	Love of Prophet (PBUH), love of Sufi master. Promoting Islam with love.	Dawat based on the Quran, very strict and harsh
Ziarat – Visiting Prophet and Ahlul Bayt’s tomb	Shia believes in visiting Prophet and his family’s tombs to pay love and respect, and ask for Shafa and Shafaat	Some believe in Ziarat, but others do not if influenced by Wahabism	Believe in Ziarat of Prophet, his Ahlul Bayt and Sufi masters’ tombs.	Partially accept Prophet’s tomb (Ziarat), but all others are considered Haram.
Antropomorphism Human-Like Shape or Form	Shia believes Allah (SWT) is unique and cannot be described or imagined, and none is like him.	Some believe God has hands, eyes, ears, and face influenced by Wahabi. Others believe like Shia.	Sufis’ beliefs are similar to Shia. They believe God is unique, has no limit, not imaginable.	Wahabi’s believe God is sitting on a throne, has a face, hands similar to what Christians believe. God is like a big man.