While Sunni Muslims account for approximately 85–90% of the global Muslim population, Shia Muslims make up most of the remaining 10–15% (between 160 and 260 million people). In many everyday situations, one cannot easily tell whether someone is a Sunni Muslim or Shia Muslim just by looking at them.
One of the most well-known divisions within Islam today is between Sunni and Shia Muslims. This is the largest and most influential distinction within the global Muslim population. Sunni and Shia Muslims share the same core foundations of Islam: they follow the Qur’an, believe Muhammad to be the final prophet, and practice the central elements of the faith.
When people hear the word “Islam,” it often sounds like a single, unified system with one set of beliefs, one interpretation, and one way of being practiced. But in reality, Islam is not experienced as one uniform system across the world. In many cases, what people assume is “Islamic” is actually a combination of religious interpretation and local cultural tradition.
13.1 The Ummah and Islamic Diversity Read More »
Module 13 explains that Islam is united in its core beliefs but diverse in how it is interpreted and practiced. It introduces the idea of the ummah, the global community of Muslims, and shows that although Muslims share beliefs such as one God, the Qur’an, Muhammad, and the Five Pillars, they differ in areas such as leadership, religious authority, law, culture, and practice. The module emphasizes that Islam is not one uniform system, but a global religion expressed in different ways across different societies and communities.
13.0 Islam Module 13: Islamic Sects & Diversity Read More »
Understand the nature, purpose, and tone of halakhah.
01 What is Halakhah? Read More »
In addition to guiding everyday behavior, Sharia (Islamic law) also addresses violations, accountability, and punishment. These range from minor offenses to serious crimes and are part of a broader system intended to preserve justice and social order.
12.4 Sharia Violations & Prescribed Punishments Read More »
A central part of Sharia (Islamic law) deals with how individuals interact with others in everyday situations. This area of Sharia is referred to as muʿāmalāt, and it is the set of Islamic principles that govern social, family, and economic relationships.
12.3 Interpersonal Islamic Ethics Under Sharia (How to Treat Others) Read More »
Intrapersonal ethics in Islam, often termed Tazkiyat al-Nafs (Purification of the Self), is the internal process of managing one’s soul, thoughts, and intentions to align with God. This is a central theme in the Qur’an (Surah Ash-Shams 91:9).
12.2 Intrapersonal Islamic Ethics (The Inner Life) Read More »
Extremist movements will be addressed directly in later modules, but this module focuses on mainstream Islamic teachings.
The structure of ethical behavior in mainstream Islam is a comprehensive framework that connects an individual’s inner faith (iman) to their outward conduct (akhlaq) and societal responsibilities. Unlike systems that focus solely on rules or outcomes, Islamic ethics is a virtue-based system where every action is viewed as a form of worship if done for the sake of God. Actions are often judged by three key elements: intention (niyyah), the action itself (amal), and the level of excellence with which it is performed (ihsan).
12.1 The Structure of Islamic Ethical Behavior Read More »
Module 12 explains Islamic ethics as a system that connects inner faith, outward behavior, and social responsibility. It presents Islamic ethics as more than a list of rules, emphasizing that actions are shaped by intention, behavior, and excellence and are organized within categories such as obligatory, recommended, permissible, discouraged, and forbidden. The module also shows that Islamic ethics includes the inner life, especially sincerity, repentance, self-control, and the struggle against spiritual diseases such as arrogance, envy, hypocrisy, and uncontrolled anger.
12.0 Islam Module 12: Islamic Ethics Read More »
