Sunni or Shia? The Path of Islam and the Question of Sectarian Identity...
A Journey into Islam For someone considering converting to Islam, one of the first questions they might encounter is: Should I follow Sunni or Shia Islam? Islam, a faith followed by over two billion people , is not a monolithic religion but has diverse interpretations and traditions. The two largest branches— Sunni and Shia —each have their own histories, beliefs, and practices. But the real question is: Does a convert even need to choose between them? This article explores the similarities, differences, historical origins, and contemporary realities of these sects while emphasizing a deeper perspective— should sectarian labels matter at all? Note: Yes, Islam is not a monolithic religion —meaning, it is not a single, uniform belief system with no variations. While all Muslims share fundamental beliefs, Islam has diverse interpretations, sects, schools of thought, and cultural expressions . Why is Islam Not Monolithic? 1️⃣ Different Sects: The two major sects, Sunni and Shia , h...