Muslims

Muslims are people who follow Islam.

Distribution of Islam, Sunni (green) and Shi'a (blue).

Those that make up the majority of the worlds Muslim population (80-85%) strictly follow only Muhammad and are called Sunni, while those who also follow the teachings of Muhammad's son-in-law Ali, are called Shia and make up about 10-15%. There are few fringe minority groups or divisions which include Sufi, a mystical tradition.^[1]

Sunni Islam is derived from the word Sunnah which means "example" or "way", from that of Muhammad. They maintain a huge majority overall but especially in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Turkey, Somalia, Pakistan, Libya and Egypt. The Shia being considered the minority within Islam can also be referred to as the Shiites maintain healthy majorities in Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Syria and Bahrain.^[2]

The Sunni and Shia both follow Qur'an, they follow the teachings of Muhammad, offer prayers to Allah five times a day, fast in the month of Ramadan and both support visiting Mecca once in the follower's lifetime as an essential part of gaining salvation (the hajj). They differ however in adherence and loyalty because the Shia follow Ali and Muhammad.

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