Sunnites, those Muslims constituting the vast majority in the world Islamic community (see Islam). The term sunna, by which the Sunnites refer to themselves ("people of the sunna"), probably means "middle of the road" (as opposed to the peripheral ways taken by sectarians). It does not mean the Sunna ("example") of the Prophet Muhammad, as is generally believed, for all Islamic groups and sects accept the Sunna, along with the Qur'an (Koran), as binding.
The doctrines of the Sunnites were formed toward the end of the 9th century, and their theology was developed as a complete system during the 10th century. Both developments occurred, in large measure, as reactions to early schismatic movements, such as the Kharijites, Mutazilites, and Shiites. The Sunnites' inclusive definition of a Muslim, for instance, was conceived in reaction to the narrow extremism of the Kharijites. Their strong emphasis on God's power, will, and determination of human fate developed in reaction to the Mutazilite insistence on the absolute freedom of the human will. Their political doctrines emerged in the struggle against the legitimism espoused by the Shiites in the dispute over the succession to Muhammad (see Caliphate). Various nuances of interpretation and different schools have developed within Sunnite theology, the Sunnite tendency having been to accommodate minor differences of opinion and to affirm the consensus of the community in doctrinal matters. Four schools of law also developed in the Sunnite tradition: the Shafi'i, the Hanafi, the Maliki, and the Hanbali.
Paule "The Walnut" lives!
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
