Final answer:
True, Shi'ite (Shia) and Sunni are two principal divisions of Islam, differentiated by their beliefs regarding the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad, and have theological as well as political significance in Muslim societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, Shi'ite and Sunni are indeed two major divisions within Islam. The schism originated from a dispute over the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis, constituting about 84-90% of the global Muslim population, believe that leadership did not have to come from the Prophet's direct family and instead accepted Abu Bakr, the Prophet's father-in-law, as the first caliph. On the other hand, Shi'ites, who make up about 10-15% of Muslims, insisted that leadership should be kept within the Prophet's family, supporting Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, as the rightful successor.
The divide not only represents a theological disagreement but has also had significant political implications, especially in regions like the Middle East. For instance, Shia Islam is the state religion of Iran, predominantly practiced by ethnic Persians, while Sunni Islam prevails among neighbors such as the predominantly Sunni Arab and Sunni Kurd populations. Noteworthy sites for the Shia sect include Karbala and Najaf, with the latter housing the tomb of Ali and the former the tomb of Husayn, Muhammad's grandson, making them holy cities for Shia Muslims. Conversely, Sunni Muslims do not follow a particular lineage for leadership and elect leaders from the community.