In Islam, there are two major denominations: Sunni and Shi’a. However, there is a smaller sect within Sunni Islam known as Salafi. While both sects follow the same teachings of the Qur’an, they have different interpretations of certain aspects. This can lead to tension between the two groups, as each beliefs their interpretation to be the right one. Here we will take a closer look at the differences between Sunni and Salafi Muslims.
Who is Sunni?
- Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam, followed by Shia Islam. Sunni Muslims refer to themselves as ahl as-sunnah wa’l-jamaʿah (people of the Sunni tradition) or ahl as-sunnah. With between 1.5 and 1.8 billion adherents worldwide, Sunni Islam is the world’s largest religious denomination. Sunni Islam is sometimes referred to as orthodox Islam. The word Sunni comes from the word sunnah, which means the teachings and actions or examples of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
- Followers of Sunni Islam are also known as Sunnis or Sunnites. SalafiSunni Islamists are sometimes referred to as Wahhabis, while Sunni Hezbollah are sometimes called Pan-Islamists or Descendants of Abbasiyah. Sunni Islam has strong similarities with Shia Islam, but there are key differences between the two branches of Islam.
- One distinctive belief of Sunni Muslims is that Muhammad did not appoint a successor before his death and therefore leadership was passed on to the Muslim community at large. Sunni Muslims also have a different hadith collection than Shia Muslims, which they believe contains the authentic sayings and actions of Muhammad.
Who is Salafi?
Salafi is an Islamic movement that adheres to the literal interpretation of the Quran and Hadith. Salafis believe in returning to the “purity” of early Islam, and they strive to imitate the Prophet Muhammad and his companions in both their personal lives and their practice of the faith. Salafis are often highly critical of what they perceive as innovation or deviation from orthodox Islam, and they have been known to engage in violent conflict with other Muslim groups.
While Salafis make up a minority of Muslims worldwide, they are a significant force in many countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan. In recent years, Salafi groups have also gained a foothold in Western countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
Difference between Sunni and Salafi
Sunni and Salafi are two major branches of Islam. Sunni Muslims make up the majority of the Islamic population, while Salafi Muslims are a minority. Sunni Muslims believe that the first four caliphs – Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali – were rightful successors to the Prophet Muhammad, while Salafi Muslims believe that only Ali was the rightful successor.
Sunni Muslims also believe in the authority of Sunni religious scholars, while Salafi Muslims do not recognize any religious scholars except for the Prophet Muhammad. Finally, Sunni Muslims practice Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam that emphasizes personal religious experience, while Salafi Muslims reject Sufism as heretical. These are just some of the major differences between Sunni and Salafi Muslims.
Conclusion
Sunni and Salafi are two of the most common sects of Islam. Though they share many similarities, there are a few key differences between the two. In general, Sunnis are more tolerant and willing to accept different interpretations of the Quran, while Salafis prefer to stick to a more literal interpretation. Additionally, Sunnis place greater importance on consensus among scholars in making decisions about religious matters, while for Salafis individual understanding is given more weight.
