Islamic Sect: Who Makes Up The Majority?

Islam is divided into two major denominations, Sunni and Shi'a, with several sects within these two main branches. Sunni Muslims constitute the majority in the Muslim community, with estimates suggesting that 85-90% of the world's 1.6 billion Muslims follow this sect. Sunni Islam is separated into four main schools of jurisprudence: Mālikī, Ḥanafī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī. Shia Muslims, on the other hand, make up 10-13% of the Muslim population and are primarily concentrated in Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Iraq, and several other countries. Shia Islam has three major sects: Twelvers, Ismāʿīlīs, and Zaydīs.

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Sunni Muslims constitute 85-90% of the global Muslim population

The remaining 10-15% of Muslims are Shia, primarily found in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. Shia Muslims hold that Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, was the rightful first caliph. They emphasise the role of Imams, who are considered divinely appointed leaders. Shia identity is rooted in the killing of Husayn, the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, in the seventh century, and a long history of marginalisation by the Sunni majority. Extremist Sunnis have portrayed Shias as heretics and apostates, and sectarian conflict is becoming entrenched in a growing number of Muslim countries, threatening to fracture nations like Iraq and Syria.

Beyond Sunni and Shia, there are other sects within Islam, such as Sufism, Deobandis, Barelvi, and Ahmadiyya. Additionally, a quarter of the world's Muslim population identify as "just a Muslim", not belonging to or identifying with any specific Islamic denomination. These non-denominational Muslims constitute the majority of the Muslim population in several countries, including Albania, Kyrgyzstan, and Kosovo.

Islam is the world's second-largest and fastest-growing major religion. As of 2020, projections suggest there are approximately 1.9 billion adherents worldwide. This growth is attributed to relatively high birth rates and a youthful age structure among Muslim populations. Increased healthcare conditions in Muslim-majority countries are also contributing factors, as they are increasing life expectancy and decreasing child mortality. By 2030, Muslims are expected to constitute roughly 26.3% of the world's total population, with significant growth in Western Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Shia Muslims constitute 10-13% of the global Muslim population

Islam is the second largest and fastest-growing major religious grouping in the world. As of 2020, there were around 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, and this number is projected to grow to 3 billion by 2060. The Muslim population is expected to constitute roughly 26.3% of the world's total population by 2030.

Islam is divided into two major denominations: Sunni and Shia. Of the total Muslim population, 87-90% are Sunni, and 10-13% are Shia. This equates to roughly 180-230 million Shia Muslims worldwide. Most Shias (68-80%) live in Iran, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, and Iraq, with further significant populations in Lebanon, Russia, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and 10 sub-Saharan African countries.

Shia Muslims believe that Ali, the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, was the rightful first caliph. They emphasize the role of Imams, who are considered divinely appointed leaders. Distinct practices include Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein. Shia identity is rooted in the killing of Husayn, the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, in the seventh century, and a long history of marginalization by the Sunni majority.

Sunni Islam is separated into four main schools of jurisprudence: Mālikī, Ḥanafī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī. Shia Islam is divided into three major sects: Twelvers, Ismāʿīlīs, and Zaydīs.

Ibadi Muslims are a minority sect, constituting 0.16-0.37% of Muslims

Islam is the world's second-largest and fastest-growing major religion, with a total of 1.9 billion adherents worldwide as of 2020. It is divided into two major denominations: Sunni and Shi'a. Of the total Muslim population, 87-90% are Sunni and 10-13% are Shi'a.

Ibadi Muslims, on the other hand, constitute a much smaller percentage of the global Muslim population, estimated at just 0.16-0.37% or roughly 3-7 million people. Ibadi Islam, also known as Ibadism, is a distinct sect that is neither Sunni nor Shii. It is a moderate branch of the Kharijites, an Islamic sect that originated in the seventh century.

Ibadi Muslims are primarily found in Oman, where they constitute the majority of the Muslim population. They are also present in North Africa, including Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and, to a lesser extent, Tanzania. Ibadi communities were historically established in southern Arabia, with bases in Oman, North Africa, and East Africa.

Ibadi beliefs and practices differ from those of Sunni and Shi'a Muslims in several ways. For example, they reject the notion of the Prophet's intercession on behalf of grave sinners and believe that punishment in hellfire is eternal. They also have unique prayer observances, such as praying with their arms down at their sides and not saying "Amin" after the Fatiha.

Despite their differences, Ibadi Muslims are known for their tolerance and openness to people of all faiths. British observers of Omani rule in East Africa noted that Ibadis were the least sectarian of all Muslims and actively prayed alongside Sunni Muslims.

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Zikri Mahdavis, or Zikris, are an offshoot of the Mahdavi movement

Islam is divided into two major denominations: Sunni and Shi'a. Of the total Muslim population, 87-90% are Sunni and 10-13% are Shi'a. However, there are several sects within Sunnism and Shi'ism.

Zikris are primarily found in the Balochistan region of western Pakistan, with a population of around 500,000 to 800,000 individuals. They follow the Quran and believe in Prophet Muhammad as the last prophet, but their prayer practices differ from those of Sunni and Shi'a Muslims. For example, they have five daily prayers, of which three are obligatory and performed in groups orally, and two are silent and generally performed only by older and more devout Zikris. Zikris also make a pilgrimage (Ziyarat) to Koh-e-Murad, the "Mountain of Desire" in Balochi, on the 27th of Ramadan to commemorate their Mahdi.

While some sources claim that Zikris believe in Muhammad Jaunpuri as their Mahdi, the majority of Zikris, including their most influential leaders, reject this notion, pointing to differences in birth dates and deaths, and asserting that their Mahdi is a distinct figure. They state that their ancestors have never heard of Jaunpuri and that there are no relations between the Zikri and Mahdavi communities.

Zikris are also known as Zikriyya, and their places of worship are called Zikr-khanas.

Ahmadiyyas are a sect who believe in Hanafi Islamic law

Islam is divided into two major denominations: Sunni and Shi'a. Of the total Muslim population, 87-90% are Sunni and 10-13% are Shi'a. However, there are several sects within Sunnism and Shi'ism. Sunnism, for instance, is separated into four main schools of jurisprudence: Mālikī, Ḥanafī, Shāfiʿī, and Ḥanbalī. Shi'ism, on the other hand, is divided into three major sects: Twelvers, Ismāʿīlīs, and Zaydīs.

The Ahmadiyya movement, founded in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, is an Islamic messianic movement originating in British India in the late 19th century. Adherents of the Ahmadiyya are known as Ahmadi Muslims or simply Ahmadis. Ahmadis recognize Ahmad as a prophet, which has been characterized as heretical by mainstream Muslims, who believe that Muhammad was the final prophet. Due to this, the Ahmadiyya movement has faced non-recognition and persecution in many parts of the world.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at (AMJ) is almost entirely a single, highly organized group. Ahmadis are a sect that believes in Hanafi Islamic law. However, some Ahmadis have expressed a lack of importance attributed to Hanafi jurisprudence, instead favoring other Islamic schools of thought.

The Ahmadiyya movement has faced opposition from some Muslim scholars, who argue that Ahmadis, also known as Qadianis, are not Muslims due to their belief in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as a prophet, contrary to the mainstream Muslim belief that Muhammad was the final prophet.

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