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After the death of Muhammad, Islam split into two sects that interpreted the Quran in different ways: the Sunni and the Shia. Read the attached article and then answer the questions.

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I don't have the ability to access or read external articles. However, I can provide a general overview of the key differences between Sunni and Shia Islam based on established knowledge.

Sunni and Shia Islam, the two main sects of Islam, originated from a dispute over the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad after his death in 632 CE. Here are some key points about each sect:

Sunni Islam:

  1. Leadership: Sunnis believe that the community should select its leader (Caliph) through consultation and consensus. They accepted Abu Bakr, a close companion of Muhammad, as the first Caliph.
  2. Interpretation of the Quran: Sunnis generally adhere to a broader interpretation of the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). They place significant emphasis on the consensus (ijma) of the community.
  3. Major Practices: Sunni Islam is characterized by the Five Pillars, which include the declaration of faith, prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and pilgrimage.
  4. Branches: The Sunni branch includes several schools of thought, such as Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali, which differ in jurisprudence.
  5. Majority: Sunnis make up the vast majority of the Muslim population, approximately 85-90%.

Shia Islam:

  1. Leadership: Shia Muslims believe that leadership should stay within the Prophet Muhammad's family and that Ali, his cousin and son-in-law, was the rightful successor. They regard the Imams, the descendants of Ali, as their leaders and spiritual guides.
  2. Interpretation of the Quran: Shia Muslims may have different interpretations of certain texts and typically emphasize the teachings of their Imams as important sources of guidance alongside the Quran and Hadith.
  3. Major Practices: Shia Islam also follows the Five Pillars but places particular emphasis on the mourning rituals for the martyrdom of Hussein, Ali's son, during the month of Muharram.
  4. Branches: The largest group within Shia Islam is the Twelvers (Ithna Ashari), who believe in a line of twelve Imams. Other divisions include Ismailis and Zaidis.
  5. Minority: Shia Muslims represent about 10-15% of the global Muslim population, with significant populations in countries like Iran, Iraq, and Bahrain.

If you have specific questions from the article or about these sects, feel free to ask!