Sunni Islam
Largest branch of Islam, following the sunnah of Muhammad.
Sunni Islam is the world’s largest religious denomination and the biggest branch of Islam. It teaches that the Prophet Muhammad did not name a successor; instead, his close companion Abu Bakr (who ruled from 632 to 634) was chosen as the first caliph during the meeting at Saqifa. This differs from Shia belief, which holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib (who ruled from 656 to 661) as his heir. Still, Sunnis respect Ali alongside Abu Bakr, Umar (r. 634–644), and Uthman (r. 644–656), calling them the “rightly-guided caliphs.” The name “Sunni” comes from those who follow the sunnah—the practices and traditions of Muhammad.
The term *sunnah* existed in pre-Islamic Arabic, meaning “the right path that has always been followed.” It gained political weight after the murder of the third caliph, Uthman. During the Battle of Siffin, Ali’s follower Malik al-Ashtar reportedly urged his side by saying that Ali’s rival Mu’awiya was “killing the sunna.” After the battle, the parties agreed to consult “the righteous Sunnah, the unifying, not the divisive” to settle the conflict. When exactly *sunnah* became shorthand for “Sunnah of the Prophet” is unknown. Under the Umayyad Caliphate, groups like the Shia and Kharijites revolted in the name of “the book of God and the Sunnah of his Prophet.” During the second civil war (680–692), the term took on anti-Shia overtones. The scholar Masrūq ibn al-Adschdaʿ (died 683) stressed the need to love the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, and recognize their precedence. His student ash-Shaʿbī (died between 721 and 729) initially sided with the Shia in Kufa but left, disgusted by their extremism, and later joined the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, helping spread the concept of Sunnah. Ash-Shaʿbī also condemned hatred of Aisha bint Abi Bakr as a violation of the Sunnah.
Using “Sunna” as a short group name for Sunnis—instead of the longer *ahl as-sunna* or *ahl as-sunnah wa l-jamāʻah*—is relatively recent. Ibn Taymiyyah likely used the short form first. It gained wider use through pan-Islamic scholars like Muhammad Rashid Rida, who published a 1928–29 treatise titled *as-Sunna wa-š-šiʿa*. In Arabic discourse, “Sunnah” often contrasts with “Shia,” and Western research also uses the pair “Sunna–Shia” to describe the divide.
One early reference to *ahl as-sunna* comes from the Basran scholar Muhammad Ibn Siri (died 728). In the *Sahih* of Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Ibn Siri is quoted saying: “Formerly one did not ask about the Isnad. But when the fitna started, one said: ‘Name us your informants.’ One would then respond: If they were Sunnah people, accept their hadith. But if they were people of innovations, reject it.” Scholar G.H.A. Juynboll believed this *fitna* refers to the second civil war (680–692), not the first, when the community split into four factions. *Ahl as-sunna* designated those who avoided the heretical teachings of the warring parties. The term was always a compliment. Abu Hanifa (died 769), who sympathized with the Murjites, called his group “righteous people and people of the Sunnah.” According to Josef van Ess, this meant little more than “honorable and righteous believing people.” Among Hanafites, *ahl as-sunna* and *ahl al-ʿadl* (people of the righteous) were interchangeable for a long time. For instance, the Hanafite Abū l-Qāsim as-Samarqandī (died 953) used both terms for his own group in a catechism for the Samanids. The singular form *ṣāḥib sunna* (adherent to the sunnah) was used by ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mubārak (died 797) for someone who distanced himself from Shia, Kharijites, Qadarites, and Murjites. The adjective *sunnī* also appeared.
Sunni jurisprudence relies on the Quran, hadith (especially the Six Books), and scholarly consensus (*ijma*). Legal rulings are derived from these sources, along with consideration of public welfare and juristic discretion, using principles developed by the four main legal schools: Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki, and Shafi’i. In creed, Sunnis uphold the six pillars of faith (*iman*) and include the Ash’ari and Maturidi theological schools, as well as the textualist Athari school. They regard the first four caliphs—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali—as rightly guided and revere the early generations (*salaf*): the Companions (*sahaba*), their successors (*tabi’in*), and the successors of the successors. Sunni Islam is sometimes called “Orthodox Islam,” though some scholars, like John Burton, argue that no such category exists.
- label
- Sunni Islam
- field
- Religion
- known_for
- Largest branch of Islam; adherence to the sunnah of Muhammad; recognition of the
- founder
- Muhammad (not appointed a successor)
- key_beliefs
- Six pillars of iman; reliance on Quran, hadith (especially the Six Books), ijma,
Lore & Background
The Arabic term sunnah, which Sunnis are named after, dates back to pre-Islamic language, used for 'the right path that has always been followed'. It gained greater political significance after the murder of the third caliph, Uthman (r. 644–656). It is said Malik al-Ashtar, a famous follower of Ali, provided encouragement during the Battle of Siffin with the expression 'Ali's political rival Mu'awiya kills the sunna'. After the battle, it was agreed that 'the righteous Sunnah, the unifying, not the divisive' should be consulted to resolve the conflict. During the second Civil War (680–92), the Sunna term received connotations critical of Shi'i doctrines. It is recorded by Masrūq ibn al-Adschdaʿ (died 683), a Mufti in Kufa, a need to love the first two caliphs Abū Bakr and ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb and acknowledge their priority. A disciple of Masrūq, the scholar ash-Shaʿbī (died between 721 and 729), who first sided with the Shia in Kufa during Civil War but turned away in disgust by their fanaticism and finally decided to join the Umayyad Caliph ʿAbd al-Malik, popularized the concept of Sunnah. It is also passed down by ash-Shaʿbī that he took offense at the hatred on ʿĀʾiša bint Abī Bakr and considered it a violation of the Sunnah. One of the earliest supporting documents for ahl as-sunna derives from the Basric scholar Muhammad Ibn Siri (died 728). His is mentioned in the Sahih of Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, and quoted having said: 'Formerly one did not ask about the Isnad. But when the fitna started, one said: "Name us your informants". One would then respond to them: If they were Sunnah people, you accept their hadith. But if they are people of the Innovations, the hadith was rejected.' G.H.A. Juynboll assumed the term fitna in this statement is not related to the first Civil War (665–661) after murder of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān, but the second Civil War (680–692) in which the Islamic community was split into four parties. The term ahl as-sunna designated in this situation those who stayed away from heretic teachings of the different warring parties. The first appearances of the expression 'ahl as-sunna wa l-jama'ah' are entirely clear. In his Mihna edict, the Abbasite Caliph Al-Ma'mūn (reigned 813–33) criticized a group of people who related themselves to the sunnah and claimed they are the 'people of truth, religion and community'. Al-Jubba'i (died 916) tells in his Kitāb al-Maqālāt that Ahmad ibn Hanbal attributed to his students the predicate sunnī jamāʿah ('Sunni Community'), indicating that the Hanbalis were the first to use the phrase ahl as-sunna wa l-jamāʿah as a self-designation.
Reader's Guide
Sunni Islam's significance lies in its role as the largest religious denomination globally, shaping the beliefs and practices of the majority of Muslims. The Quran, together with hadith (especially the Six Books) and ijma (scholarly consensus), form the basis of all traditional jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. Sharia legal rulings are derived from these basic sources, in conjunction with consideration of public welfare and juristic discretion, using the principles of jurisprudence developed by the four legal schools: Hanafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Shafi'i. In matters of creed, the Sunni tradition upholds the six pillars of iman (faith) and comprises the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools of kalam (theology) as well as the textualist Athari school. Sunnis regard the first four caliphs Abu Bakr (r. 632–634), Umar (r. 634–644), Uthman (r. 644–656) and Ali (r. 656–661) as rashidun (rightly-guided) and revere the sahaba, tabi'in, and tabi al-tabi'in as the salaf (predecessors). Sunni Islam is sometimes referred to as 'Orthodox Islam'. However, some scholars of Islam, such as John Burton, believe that there is no such thing as 'Orthodox Islam'. The term Sunna instead of the longer expression ahl as-sunna or ahl as-sunnah wa l-jamāʻah as a group-name for Sunnis is a relatively young phenomenon. It was probably Ibn Taymiyyah who used the short-term for the first time. It was later popularized by pan-Islamic scholars such as Muhammad Rashid Rida in his treatise as-Sunna wa-š-šiʿa au al-Wahhābīya wa-r-Rāfiḍa published in 1928–29. The term Sunnah is usually used in Arabic discourse as designation for Sunni Muslims when they are intended to be contrasted with Shias.
Did You Know?
- The term 'Sunni' as a short group-name was probably first used by Ibn Taymiyyah, and later popularized by Muhammad Rashid Rida in a 1928–29 treatise.
- The expression 'ahl as-sunna wa l-jamāʻah' was first used as a self-designation by the Hanbalis, according to al-Jubba'i's Kitāb al-Maqālāt.
- During the second Civil War (680–92), the term 'sunna' received connotations critical of Shi'i doctrines, and Masrūq ibn al-Adschdaʿ linked it to loving the first two caliphs.
- The scholar ash-Shaʿbī (died between 721 and 729) popularized the concept of Sunnah after turning away from Shia fanaticism and joining the Umayyad Caliph ʿAbd al-Malik.
- Abu Hanifa (died 769) insisted that the Murjites, with whom he sympathized, were 'righteous people and people of the Sunnah' (ahl al-ʿadl wa-ahl as-sunna).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sunni Islam?
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam and the world's biggest religious denomination. It centers on following the sunnah, the recorded practices of the Prophet Muhammad, as a guide for worship and daily life.
How did Sunni Islam begin?
Sunnis hold that Muhammad never formally designated a successor before his passing. Leadership instead went to Abu Bakr, his closest companion, who was selected at the gathering of Saqifa to serve as the first caliph of the Muslim community.
Who are the rightly-guided caliphs in Sunni Islam?
Sunnis revere Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali as the four rightly-guided caliphs. These early companions are viewed as having led the community in direct continuity with Muhammad's example.
What sources of authority does Sunni Islam rely on?
Sunni jurisprudence draws on the Quran, the hadith collections (especially the Six Books), scholarly consensus (ijma), and the legal reasoning of four recognized schools—Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. Theological thought is further shaped by traditions such as the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools.
Why is Sunni Islam important globally?
As the largest religious denomination on Earth, Sunni Islam shapes the religious, cultural, and legal landscape across the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Its emphasis on the sunnah and a structured legal tradition provides a broad, unifying framework for billions of adherents.
More in Islamic Concepts And Practices 1-16
Related in Islamic Concepts And Practices
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record