Question

Determine whether each statement describes the Sunnis or Shias.

1. The minority of Muslims believe that the caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad.
2. The majority of Muslims believe that the caliph may be any pious Muslim male.
3. Both Sunnis and Shias believe in Allah, the Quran, the five pillars of Islam, and imams as religious leaders.
1) Sunnis
2) Shias

Answer 1

The Shias believe the caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad, while Sunnis think any pious Muslim male can be caliph. Both share key Islamic beliefs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that the minority of Muslims believe that the caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad describes the Shias. Shias hold that leadership should reside within Muhammad's family, beginning with his son-in-law Ali. They also believe in a lineage of twelve imams, who are the spiritual leaders strictly from Muhammad's descendants. On the other hand, the statement that the majority of Muslims believe that the caliph may be any pious Muslim male describes the Sunnis. Sunnis follow the tradition that any righteous and competent leader can become caliph, not limited to Muhammad's lineage. Both Sunnis and Shias share the core beliefs in Allah, the Quran, the five pillars of Islam, and hold the concept of imams as religious leaders, albeit with different interpretations of their roles and selection.