Sunni Muslim

Sunni Muslims make up a division within the religion of Islam. The division was created after the death of the Prophet Mohammed in the 7th century. The division occurred over a dispute about who should succeed him. The largest group of Muslims elected Abu Bakr, a close companion of Mohammed, as the next Caliph, while another group wanted his son-in-law, Ali, to be the leader. This caused a rift in the religion, with the followers of Abu Bakr becoming known as the Sunni.

In spite of the belief over who should be leader, the Sunni Muslims still follow the traditional Islam beliefs that Mohammed received the Five Pillars of truth from Mohammed. The followers of Sunni follow the Islamic traditions of the first several centuries espousing the beliefs of the first century scholars – Hanbali, Hanafi, Maliki and Shaafii.

Some Beliefs of Sunni Muslims:

Sunni Muslims share the Islamic belief in the Oneness of God, rather than a Trinity of three persons in one God, the revelations of Mohammed and the belief in resurrection on the Last Day of Judgement.

The most basic belief is the shahadah, the Muslim confession of faith - There is no god but God; Muhammad is the prophet of God. They believe that God is merciful and is always willing to forgive if the person is genuinely repentant.

The fundamental beliefs of Sunni Muslims also include believing in angels, both good and bad, the books and Scriptures revealed to Mohammed, a series of prophets and the Last Day of Judgement. The foundation of Islam is the Five Pillars as delivered to Mohammed from God:

• Iman (Faith) – faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophet
• Salah (Prayer) – prayers have to be preformed five times a day – dawn, mid-dau, late afternoon, sunset and nightfall. There are no priests and a learned person from the congregation leads the prayers. The usual place for prayers is in a Mosque, but they can be said anywhere.
• Zakah (Financial obligation of Muslims) – everything belongs to God and is only held by humans in trust for him. Usually Muslims are expected to give a fortieth of their capital, but each one calculates his/her own zakah. An individual can give much more in secret if he/she desires.
• Sawm (Fasting) – Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. They refrain from food, drink and sexual relations with their spouses. This is a method of self-purification to cut oneself off from worldly comforts and focus upon the purpose of life.
• Hijj (Pilgrimage) – Muslims who are financially able to do so are expected to make one pilgrimage to Mecca during their lifetime. The annual pilgrimage begins in the twelfth month of the year. The pilgrims wear simple clothes and no distinction is made between rich and poor. At Mecca, the pilgrims make seven trips between the hills of Safa and Marwa. Then they stand together on the plains of Arafat and join in prayers of forgiveness. Sunni Muslims put more emphasis on completing this pilgrimage as being an important demonstration of their faith.

Holy Days of Sunni Muslims

There are two main Islamic festivals:

• Eid-ul- Fitr – This is a celebration at the end of Ramadan. Muslims go to the Mosque to pray and then special celebration meals are served. Many families get together to celebrate.
• Eid – ul – Adha – This is the end of the pilgrimage. Muslims sacrifice a goat to symbolize the time when the Prophet Abraham was about to sacrifice his son to God and replaced him with an animal.

Other Holy days:

• The Islamic New Year – the first day of the first Islamic month – Muharram
• Ashura – the tenth day of Muharram and is a time of fasting and inner thoughts.
• Mawlid an-Nabi – Mohammed’s birthday
• Isra Mer’Aj – celebrated on the 27 th day of Rajab, the seventh month of the calendar. It is a very special night in the Islamic faith meaning “the night journey and ascension” of Mohammed.
• Ramadan – a holy month dominated by prayer and fasting.