Sunni Islam

The largest branch of Islam, comprising approximately 85-90% of the world’s Muslims (over 1.5 billion adherents). Sunni Islam derives its name from the Sunnah (the way of Muhammad), emphasizing adherence to the Prophet’s example and the consensus of the Muslim community.

Core Beliefs

The Rightly Guided Caliphs

Sunnis accept the legitimacy of the first four caliphs who succeeded Muhammad: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. They view the caliphate as based on community consensus rather than divine appointment through Muhammad’s bloodline (as Shia believe).

Six Articles of Faith

Sunnis affirm the same six fundamental beliefs as all Muslims: belief in Allah, angels, revealed books (Quran and earlier scriptures), prophets, the Day of Judgment, and divine decree.

Five Pillars

Sunnis practice the Five Pillars: declaration of faith (Shahada), five daily prayers (Salat), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm), and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).

Four Schools of Jurisprudence

Sunni Islam developed four main schools (madhahib) of Islamic law, all considered legitimate:

• Hanafi - Most widespread; emphasizes reason and analogy
• Maliki - Based in Medina’s traditions
• Shafi’i - Systematic methodology
• Hanbali - Most conservative; literal interpretation

Historical Development

• 632 CE - Death of Muhammad; Abu Bakr becomes first caliph
• 656-661 CE - Ali’s caliphate; first fitna (civil war)
• 680 CE - Battle of Karbala; Sunni-Shia split solidifies
• 8th-9th centuries - Four schools of law crystallize
• Abbasid Caliphate - Golden age of Islamic civilization
• Ottoman Empire - Sunni caliphate from 15th-20th centuries
• 1924 - Abolition of Ottoman caliphate; modern nation-states emerge

Practices

Prayer and Worship

Sunnis perform the five daily prayers with specific postures and recitations. Friday congregational prayer (Jumu’ah) is obligatory for men. Mosques serve as community centers.

Hadith Collections

Sunnis rely heavily on hadith (reports of Muhammad’s words and deeds). The “Six Books” of hadith, especially Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, are authoritative sources for guidance.

Sufism

While Sufism (Islamic mysticism) exists across sectarian lines, most Sufis historically have been Sunni. Sufism emphasizes direct experience of God through spiritual practices.

Theological Schools

Sunni theology developed several schools of thought:

• Ash’ari - Dominant in much of Sunni world; balances reason and revelation
• Maturidi - Similar to Ash’ari, prevalent in Central Asia
• Athari - Traditionalist; literal interpretation of Quran and hadith

Geographic Distribution

Sunni Islam is the majority tradition in most Muslim-majority countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and North Africa. Significant Sunni populations also exist in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon alongside Shia communities.

Contemporary Movements

• Salafism/Wahhabism - Conservative reform movement emphasizing return to early Islam
• Muslim Brotherhood - Political Islamist movement
• Deobandi - South Asian reform movement
• Traditionalist/Sufi - Emphasis on classical scholarship and spirituality

Relation to Other Islamic Traditions

The Sunni-Shia split originated in disagreement over Muhammad’s succession. Sunnis prioritize community consensus and the companions’ authority, while Shia emphasize Ali and his descendants’ divine right to leadership. Despite theological differences, both share core Islamic beliefs. Sunnis generally accept Sufism as a valid spiritual dimension, though some reformist Sunnis (Salafis) reject Sufi practices as innovations.