Islam
which have significant theological and legal differences. The primary division is between the
Sunni and the Shi'a, with Sufism generally considered to be a mystical inflection of Islam
rather than a distinct school. According to most sources, approximately 85% of the world's
Muslims are Sunni and approximately 15% are Shi'a, with a small minority who are members
of other Islamic sects.
Sunni
Divisions of IslamSunni Muslims are the largest group in Islam. In Arabic, asSunnah literally
means "principle" or "path". The Sunnah (the example of Muhammad's life) as recorded in
the Qur'an and the hadith is the main pillar of Sunni doctrine. Sunnis believe that the first four
caliphs were the rightful successors to Muhammad; since God did not specify any particular
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leaders to succeed him, those leaders had to be elected. Sunnis recognize four major legal
annaabi.ee 
