ASSALAM ALEIKUM
I want NL Islamic brothers and sisters to help out a confused brother here. i was brought up in ansar ud deen and have practised as such for very long. i actually grew up in a christian state, goes to the mosque only on fridays and my religious views is shaped by ansar ud deen teachings. i now live in a yoruba town with lots of muslims but i find out that there are so many sects down here and each sect claim to have quranic backing for their beliefs and modes of worship which differ totally from a lot of things i have beeen brought up with.
of particular interest is a sect referred to as tabliq, can anyone here explain more about tabliqs to me and reasons why they are not that really popular among muslims cos of their beliefs and modes of worship. From the little i have learnt about them, i think i like them. all meaningful contributions are welcome.and please this thread is not intended to start a sect war.

MASALAM

JESUS is the true way , no one get to the father except through him

hopelink1:
JESUS is the true way , no one get to the father except through him

Jesus worked with the pharisees and neva condemned dre religion...dis z a free world and he asked for something polite witout includin another religion...check ur heart 1st and see if u r trully following Jesus ways.

lookooman:
ASSALAM ALEIKUM
I want NL Islamic brothers and sisters to help out a confused brother here. i was brought up in ansar ud deen and have practised as such for very long. i actually grew up in a christian state, goes to the mosque only on fridays and my religious views is shaped by ansar ud deen teachings. i now live in a yoruba town with lots of muslims but i find out that there are so many sects down here and each sect claim to have quranic backing for their beliefs and modes of worship which differ totally from a lot of things i have beeen brought up with.
of particular interest is a sect referred to as tabliq, can anyone here explain more about tabliqs to me and reasons why they are not that really popular among muslims cos of their beliefs and modes of worship. From the little i have learnt about them, i think i like them. all meaningful contributions are welcome.and please this thread is not intended to start a sect war.

MASALAM

Wa alaikum Salam. Forget about sectional issues for the meantime. Learn your deen from the only two established sources, the Quran and the sunnah (sayings and practices of the prophet (saw) found in authentic hadith). If ANYONE; no matter the size of his turban or the length of his beard; tells you; directly or via lectures; to hold a belief or worship in one way or the other, ask him/her to please present you with evidence from the Quran or hadith. Anyone who gets angry at such questions or refuses to answer, is either ignorant and not the kind of person you should take your deen from, or is from the wrong sect... run.

In order to grasp the importance of this, I will quote a narration from the prophet (saw)...

The prophet (saw) said:
"The jews split into 71 sects, the xtians into 72, and my Ummah will split into 73. All of them will be in the fire, EXCEPT ONE."
He was asked: "which one o prophet of Allah?"
He (saw) said:
The one that follows what I and my companions are on today (ie at that time)"

Hadith atTirmidhi 2641. Classed as saheeh by sheikh Albani in his "saheeh atTirmidhi".

For a better exposition on this hadith, check here...

http://islamqa.info/en/90112

Also be careful of those who give you false verses and narrations (check the authenticity of any proof given to you), and who call you to associate partners with Allah by hanging amulets (even if Arabic is written on them), or give special status to sheikhs and alfas. I might add that you can pray in any mosque, unless it is obvious to you that the members are openly innovators.

PS; some Muslim groups cannot be properly referred to as 'sects'. Ansar ud deen is a mainstream sunni group, with trivial tariqah leanings, but is invariably just a group, not a sect. There are many such as mssn, TMC, FOMWAN, NACOMYO, etc in the SW that are just groups set up for special activities, and are not really denominational. Some groups however, may engage in acts of worship that deviate too far away from those endorsed by the prophet (saw), depending on the knowledge of their leaders. Some are outright pseudo-sects that have been ruled to have left the fold and aqeedah of Islam... like the Ahmadiyyah. Just let the Quran and Sunnah be your guide, and you will not deviate insha Allah.

Allah knows best.

Abuamam:


Wa alaikum Salam. Forget about sectional issues for the meantime. Learn your deen from the only two established sources, the Quran and the sunnah (sayings and practices of the prophet (saw) found in authentic hadith). If ANYONE; no matter the size of his turban or the length of his beard; tells you; directly or via lectures; to hold a belief or worship in one way or the other, ask him/her to please present you with evidence from the Quran or hadith. Anyone who gets angry at such questions or refuses to answer, is either ignorant and not the kind of person you should take your deen from, or is from the wrong sect... run.

In order to grasp the importance of this, I will quote a narration from the prophet (saw)...

The prophet (saw) said:
"The jews split into 71 sects, the xtians into 72, and my Ummah will split into 73. All of them will be in the fire, EXCEPT ONE."
He was asked: "which one o prophet of Allah?"
He (saw) said:
The one that follows what I and my companions are on today (ie at that time)"

Hadith atTirmidhi 2641. Classed as saheeh by sheikh Albani in his "saheeh atTirmidhi".

For a better exposition on this hadith, check here...

http://islamqa.info/en/90112

Also be careful of those who give you false verses and narrations (check the authenticity of any proof given to you), and who call you to associate partners with Allah by hanging amulets (even if Arabic is written on them), or give special status to sheikhs and alfas. I might add that you can pray in any mosque, unless it is obvious to you that the members are openly innovators.

PS; some Muslim groups cannot be properly referred to as 'sects'. Ansar ud deen is a mainstream sunni group, with trivial tariqah leanings, but is invariably just a group, not a sect. There are many such as mssn, TMC, FOMWAN, NACOMYO, etc in the SW that are just groups set up for special activities, and are not really denominational. Some groups however, may engage in acts of worship that deviate too far away from those endorsed by the prophet (saw), depending on the knowledge of their leaders. Some are outright pseudo-sects that have been ruled to have left the fold and aqeedah of Islam... like the Ahmadiyyah. Just let the Quran and Sunnah be your guide, and you will not deviate insha Allah.

Allah knows best.

Thank you very much, I now know ansar ud seen is a Sunni sect which brings new to another issue that troubles my mind and which I would like you to explain more, the Sunni Shiite issue. A foreign foreign friend asked me if I was Sunni or Shiite and I couldn't answer, just told him in my part of the country there's really no difference and we are all Muslims.

Who are the Sunni and who are the Shiite, why the difference
I can remember an embarrassing moment when I had wished someone well on ashura day and the person was like what are you talking about, I was embarrassed cos I myself didn't ashura is not celebrated by every Muslim till that day.

Ma Salam

lookooman:


Thank you very much, I now know ansar ud seen is a Sunni sect which brings new to another issue that troubles my mind and which I would like you to explain more, the Sunni Shiite issue. A foreign foreign friend asked me if I was Sunni or Shiite and I couldn't answer, just told him in my part of the country there's really no difference and we are all Muslims.

Who are the Sunni and who are the Shiite, why the difference
I can remember an embarrassing moment when I had wished someone well on ashura day and the person was like what are you talking about, I was embarrassed cos I myself didn't ashura is not celebrated by every Muslim till that day.

Ma Salam

Well, the response to this is a bit long...

The Shi'ite sect was originally a political offshoot that felt that Ali bin abi Talib (ra); the cousin of the prophet (saw), should have been the Caliph after the prophet (saw). Some accepted the rule of the first 3 caliphs and supported Ali against Muawiyyah, who had issues with him... hence the name; Shi'at Ali or group for Ali. At that time, they did not have a seperate faith or tenets or religious beliefs... except for the political issue, you know, like a PDP, APC thing; only much worse.

Later on, after the death of both Ali and Muawiyyah, they pledged allegiance to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until Hasan his grandson abdicated the rule, and Hussain his younger grandson was murdered by the people living in Kufa in Iraq, after enticing him with promise of support. Even then, the Shi'a were still only political.

The matter came to a head when some Shi'a offered support to Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain bin Ali, a great grandson of Ali, to take the rulership of the Muslim nation. The Shi'a split into 2. Some refused to support him because he refused to denounce Abu bakr and Umar; the first 2 rulers. Hence Zayd referred to them as Rafidha or Rejecters. They make up the majority of the Shi'a today, and are found in Iran, the gulf countries and Lebanon. Those that accepted to support Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain, became known as Zaydis and are found in Yemen (the houthis). There are other Shi'a sect offshoots like the batiniyyah, the Ismailiyyah, the alawites, the baha'is, the babis, the druze even the ahmadiyyah...etc etc dozens.

The Rafidha (also known as the twelver imams), now started to create a new system of faith, with their own hadith which they imputed falsely to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until all members of the line; which they claimed to be 'Imams'; passed away; upon which they attributed an imaginary son to the last of them; who actually died childless; and claimed that this son was 'hidden secretely' with the true copy of their own Quran, and would only emerge in the last days to lead them to victory. Some of their founders; due to extreme hatred of the companions who transmitted the deen to us; rejected almost all the companions; and the wives of the prophet (saw) as kuffar, or hypocrites. Naturally, to them, this meant that everything that the companions transmitted to us as Islam was criticized as a lie; even the Quran; which they claimed had been changed and corrupted to cover up their cardinal doctrine of twelve Imams. They however, have a practice; which non-Muslims falsely try to foist on all Muslims, called the taqiyyah. This involves lying as an act of faith, to deceive their perceived opponents into believing their outward exhibition of conformity with some orthodox sunni Islam beliefs. Many of their lay adherents are therefore, ignorant of most of their real beliefs, for example, they would say that they have no other Quran; but the books written by their scholars refute these denials. I might add that the Rafidha also attribute Godly characteristics to their 12 Imams, such as omniscience and omnipotence. They also seek 'blessings' by praying to graves and shrines; many of which are acts of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. The Ashura day that you mentioned is the commemoration of the murder of Hussain bin Ali as mentioned earlier, wherein they gather together in their 'Hussainiyyat', recite emotional (often exaggerated) narratives of the tragedy, and sometimes whip and slash themselves with swords and knives... thinking that they are seeking Allah's pleasure by doing so.

Today, this is the dominant sect of Shi'a.

The Sunnis, or ahl ul Sunnah (people on the prophet's way) on the other hand, are those who follow the Quran as explained by authentic transmissions from the prophet (saw), and his immedeate companions who were with him. They acknowledge the occurrence of fitna among the earlier companions, but leave their judgement to Allah (swt), due to the prophet's prohibition on abusing his companions as stated in many authentic traditions. Along the way, various different understandings of the laws within the sunnah (known as madhhabs) have emerged, due to differing approaches in interpretations. However, the doctrine remains one alhamdulillah. Other off-shoots also occurred when Muslims came in contact with pagan foreign lands, such as the Sufis, the Mu'tazila, etc. Some initial sunni sects gave extremely harsh interpretations, referring to any sin as disbelief among other tenets. These were the khawarij; and groups like Boko Haram tend to follow this ideology.

Of course, we ahl us Sunnah understand that the group that the prophet (saw) mentioned as being on the belief of him and his companions (in the hadith above) are those who live his laws and practice his sayings according to HIS narrations. Naturally, we cannot live like his companions did in matters of worship, unless we love them... which we do. The ahl us Sunnah are people of true monotheism. We do not seek intercessors, or worship graves, or practice magic, or rely on 'protection' from any other than Allah. We also hold the belief that Allah Alone is Omniscient and Omnipotent, and holds the key to reward or punishment in the hereafter.

This in a (huge) nutshell is the story of the differences between the Ahl us Sunnah and the Shi'a. I apologise for the length, but you did ask; and I am obliged to give a comprehensive answer.

Allah knows best.

Abuamam:


Well, the response to this is a bit long...

The Shi'ite sect was originally a political offshoot that felt that Ali bin abi Talib (ra); the cousin of the prophet (saw), should have been the Caliph after the prophet (saw). Some accepted the rule of the first 3 caliphs and supported Ali against Muawiyyah, who had issues with him... hence the name; Shi'at Ali or group for Ali. At that time, they did not have a seperate faith or tenets or religious beliefs... except for the political issue, you know, like a PDP, APC thing; only much worse.

Later on, after the death of both Ali and Muawiyyah, they pledged allegiance to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until Hasan his grandson abdicated the rule, and Hussain his younger grandson was murdered by the people living in Kufa in Iraq, after enticing him with promise of support. Even then, the Shi'a were still only political.

The matter came to a head when some Shi'a offered support to Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain bin Ali, a great grandson of Ali, to take the rulership of the Muslim nation. The Shi'a split into 2. Some refused to support him because he refused to denounce Abu bakr and Umar; the first 2 rulers. Hence Zayd referred to them as Rafidha or Rejecters. They make up the majority of the Shi'a today, and are found in Iran, the gulf countries and Lebanon. Those that accepted to support Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain, became known as Zaydis and are found in Yemen (the houthis). There are other Shi'a sect offshoots like the batiniyyah, the Ismailiyyah, the alawites, the baha'is, the babis, the druze even the ahmadiyyah...etc etc dozens.

The Rafidha (also known as the twelver imams), now started to create a new system of faith, with their own hadith which they imputed falsely to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until all members of the line; which they claimed to be 'Imams'; passed away; upon which they attributed an imaginary son to the last of them; who actually died childless; and claimed that this son was 'hidden secretely' with the true copy of their own Quran, and would only emerge in the last days to lead them to victory. Some of their founders; due to extreme hatred of the companions who transmitted the deen to us; rejected almost all the companions; and the wives of the prophet (saw) as kuffar, or hypocrites. Naturally, to them, this meant that everything that the companions transmitted to us as Islam was criticized as a lie; even the Quran; which they claimed had been changed and corrupted to cover up their cardinal doctrine of twelve Imams. They however, have a practice; which non-Muslims falsely try to foist on all Muslims, called the taqiyyah. This involves lying as an act of faith, to deceive their perceived opponents into believing their outward exhibition of conformity with some orthodox sunni Islam beliefs. Many of their lay adherents are therefore, ignorant of most of their real beliefs, for example, they would say that they have no other Quran; but the books written by their scholars refute these denials. I might add that the Rafidha also attribute Godly characteristics to their 12 Imams, such as omniscience and omnipotence. They also seek 'blessings' by praying to graves and shrines; many of which are acts of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. The Ashura day that you mentioned is the commemoration of the murder of Hussain bin Ali as mentioned earlier, wherein they gather together in their 'Hussainiyyat', recite emotional (often exaggerated) narratives of the tragedy, and sometimes whip and slash themselves with swords and knives... thinking that they are seeking Allah's pleasure by doing so.

Today, this is the dominant sect of Shi'a.

The Sunnis, or ahl ul Sunnah (people on the prophet's way) on the other hand, are those who follow the Quran as explained by authentic transmissions from the prophet (saw), and his immedeate companions who were with him. They acknowledge the occurrence of fitna among the earlier companions, but leave their judgement to Allah (swt), due to the prophet's prohibition on abusing his companions as stated in many authentic traditions. Along the way, various different understandings of the laws within the sunnah (known as madhhabs) have emerged, due to differing approaches in interpretations. However, the doctrine remains one alhamdulillah. Other off-shoots also occurred when Muslims came in contact with pagan foreign lands, such as the Sufis, the Mu'tazila, etc. Some initial sunni sects gave extremely harsh interpretations, referring to any sin as disbelief among other tenets. These were the khawarij; and groups like Boko Haram tend to follow this ideology.

Of course, we ahl us Sunnah understand that the group that the prophet (saw) mentioned as being on the belief of him and his companions (in the hadith above) are those who live his laws and practice his sayings according to HIS narrations. Naturally, we cannot live like his companions did in matters of worship, unless we love them... which we do. The ahl us Sunnah are people of true monotheism. We do not seek intercessors, or worship graves, or practice magic, or rely on 'protection' from any other than Allah. We also hold the belief that Allah Alone is Omniscient and Omnipotent, and holds the key to reward or punishment in the hereafter.

This in a (huge) nutshell is the story of the differences between the Ahl us Sunnah and the Shi'a. I apologise for the length, but you did ask; and I am obliged to give a comprehensive answer.

Allah knows best.

May almighty Allah reward you abundantly for your response, I'm now enlightened. Thank you very much.

ISIS isbd best islamic sect go for recruit today in seria

Abuamam:

Wa alaikum Salam. Forget about sectional issues for the meantime. Learn your deen from the only two established sources, the Quran and the sunnah (sayings and practices of the prophet (saw) found in authentic hadith). If ANYONE; no matter the size of his turban or the length of his beard; tells you; directly or via lectures; to hold a belief or worship in one way or the other, ask him/her to please present you with evidence from the Quran or hadith. Anyone who gets angry at such questions or refuses to answer, is either ignorant and not the kind of person you should take your deen from, or is from the wrong sect... run.
In order to grasp the importance of this, I will quote a narration from the prophet (saw)...
The prophet (saw) said:
"The jews split into 71 sects, the xtians into 72, and my Ummah will split into 73. All of them will be in the fire, EXCEPT ONE."
He was asked: "which one o prophet of Allah?"
He (saw) said:
The one that follows what I and my companions are on today (ie at that time)"
Hadith atTirmidhi 2641. Classed as saheeh by sheikh Albani in his "saheeh atTirmidhi".
For a better exposition on this hadith, check here...
http://islamqa.info/en/90112
Also be careful of those who give you false verses and narrations (check the authenticity of any proof given to you), and who call you to associate partners with Allah by hanging amulets (even if Arabic is written on them), or give special status to sheikhs and alfas. I might add that you can pray in any mosque, unless it is obvious to you that the members are openly innovators.
PS; some Muslim groups cannot be properly referred to as 'sects'. Ansar ud deen is a mainstream sunni group, with trivial tariqah leanings, but is invariably just a group, not a sect. There are many such as mssn, TMC, FOMWAN, NACOMYO, etc in the SW that are just groups set up for special activities, and are not really denominational. Some groups however, may engage in acts of worship that deviate too far away from those endorsed by the prophet (saw), depending on the knowledge of their leaders. Some are outright pseudo-sects that have been ruled to have left the fold and aqeedah of Islam... like the Ahmadiyyah. Just let the Quran and Sunnah be your guide, and you will not deviate insha Allah.
Allah knows best.

Abuamam:

Well, the response to this is a bit long...
The Shi'ite sect was originally a political offshoot that felt that Ali bin abi Talib (ra); the cousin of the prophet (saw), should have been the Caliph after the prophet (saw). Some accepted the rule of the first 3 caliphs and supported Ali against Muawiyyah, who had issues with him... hence the name; Shi'at Ali or group for Ali. At that time, they did not have a seperate faith or tenets or religious beliefs... except for the political issue, you know, like a PDP, APC thing; only much worse.
Later on, after the death of both Ali and Muawiyyah, they pledged allegiance to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until Hasan his grandson abdicated the rule, and Hussain his younger grandson was murdered by the people living in Kufa in Iraq, after enticing him with promise of support. Even then, the Shi'a were still only political.
The matter came to a head when some Shi'a offered support to Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain bin Ali, a great grandson of Ali, to take the rulership of the Muslim nation. The Shi'a split into 2. Some refused to support him because he refused to denounce Abu bakr and Umar; the first 2 rulers. Hence Zayd referred to them as Rafidha or Rejecters. They make up the majority of the Shi'a today, and are found in Iran, the gulf countries and Lebanon. Those that accepted to support Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain, became known as Zaydis and are found in Yemen (the houthis). There are other Shi'a sect offshoots like the batiniyyah, the Ismailiyyah, the alawites, the baha'is, the babis, the druze even the ahmadiyyah...etc etc dozens.
The Rafidha (also known as the twelver imams), now started to create a new system of faith, with their own hadith which they imputed falsely to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until all members of the line; which they claimed to be 'Imams'; passed away; upon which they attributed an imaginary son to the last of them; who actually died childless; and claimed that this son was 'hidden secretely' with the true copy of their own Quran, and would only emerge in the last days to lead them to victory. Some of their founders; due to extreme hatred of the companions who transmitted the deen to us; rejected almost all the companions; and the wives of the prophet (saw) as kuffar, or hypocrites. Naturally, to them, this meant that everything that the companions transmitted to us as Islam was criticized as a lie; even the Quran; which they claimed had been changed and corrupted to cover up their cardinal doctrine of twelve Imams. They however, have a practice; which non-Muslims falsely try to foist on all Muslims, called the taqiyyah. This involves lying as an act of faith, to deceive their perceived opponents into believing their outward exhibition of conformity with some orthodox sunni Islam beliefs. Many of their lay adherents are therefore, ignorant of most of their real beliefs, for example, they would say that they have no other Quran; but the books written by their scholars refute these denials. I might add that the Rafidha also attribute Godly characteristics to their 12 Imams, such as omniscience and omnipotence. They also seek 'blessings' by praying to graves and shrines; many of which are acts of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. The Ashura day that you mentioned is the commemoration of the murder of Hussain bin Ali as mentioned earlier, wherein they gather together in their 'Hussainiyyat', recite emotional (often exaggerated) narratives of the tragedy, and sometimes whip and slash themselves with swords and knives... thinking that they are seeking Allah's pleasure by doing so.
Today, this is the dominant sect of Shi'a.
The Sunnis, or ahl ul Sunnah (people on the prophet's way) on the other hand, are those who follow the Quran as explained by authentic transmissions from the prophet (saw), and his immedeate companions who were with him. They acknowledge the occurrence of fitna among the earlier companions, but leave their judgement to Allah (swt), due to the prophet's prohibition on abusing his companions as stated in many authentic traditions. Along the way, various different understandings of the laws within the sunnah (known as madhhabs) have emerged, due to differing approaches in interpretations. However, the doctrine remains one alhamdulillah. Other off-shoots also occurred when Muslims came in contact with pagan foreign lands, such as the Sufis, the Mu'tazila, etc. Some initial sunni sects gave extremely harsh interpretations, referring to any sin as disbelief among other tenets. These were the khawarij; and groups like Boko Haram tend to follow this ideology.
Of course, we ahl us Sunnah understand that the group that the prophet (saw) mentioned as being on the belief of him and his companions (in the hadith above) are those who live his laws and practice his sayings according to HIS narrations. Naturally, we cannot live like his companions did in matters of worship, unless we love them... which we do. The ahl us Sunnah are people of true monotheism. We do not seek intercessors, or worship graves, or practice magic, or rely on 'protection' from any other than Allah. We also hold the belief that Allah Alone is Omniscient and Omnipotent, and holds the key to reward or punishment in the hereafter.
This in a (huge) nutshell is the story of the differences between the Ahl us Sunnah and the Shi'a. I apologise for the length, but you did ask; and I am obliged to give a comprehensive answer.
Allah knows best.

Jazakumullah khaeran. May Allah(SWT) continue to increase you in knowledge and Imaan (Amin).

lookooman:
ASSALAM ALEIKUM
I want NL Islamic brothers and sisters to help out a confused brother here. i was brought up in ansar ud deen and have practised as such for very long. i actually grew up in a christian state, goes to the mosque only on fridays and my religious views is shaped by ansar ud deen teachings. i now live in a yoruba town with lots of muslims but i find out that there are so many sects down here and each sect claim to have quranic backing for their beliefs and modes of worship which differ totally from a lot of things i have beeen brought up with.
of particular interest is a sect referred to as tabliq, can anyone here explain more about tabliqs to me and reasons why they are not that really popular among muslims cos of their beliefs and modes of worship. From the little i have learnt about them, i think i like them. all meaningful contributions are welcome.and please this thread is not intended to start a sect war.

MASALAM

You can belong to the 'Ahl Sunnah', don't engage in any form of Bid'a, strictly the teachings of the Prophet, his sahabas, tabi'een and tabi'een tabi'een. Follow the scholars of 'salafiyyah' (ibn Abdulwahab, Al-albani, Al -fawzan, etc). You can visit www.salafimanhaj.com

Abuamam:


Well, the response to this is a bit long...

The Shi'ite sect was originally a political offshoot that felt that Ali bin abi Talib (ra); the cousin of the prophet (saw), should have been the Caliph after the prophet (saw). Some accepted the rule of the first 3 caliphs and supported Ali against Muawiyyah, who had issues with him... hence the name; Shi'at Ali or group for Ali. At that time, they did not have a seperate faith or tenets or religious beliefs... except for the political issue, you know, like a PDP, APC thing; only much worse.

Later on, after the death of both Ali and Muawiyyah, they pledged allegiance to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until Hasan his grandson abdicated the rule, and Hussain his younger grandson was murdered by the people living in Kufa in Iraq, after enticing him with promise of support. Even then, the Shi'a were still only political.

The matter came to a head when some Shi'a offered support to Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain bin Ali, a great grandson of Ali, to take the rulership of the Muslim nation. The Shi'a split into 2. Some refused to support him because he refused to denounce Abu bakr and Umar; the first 2 rulers. Hence Zayd referred to them as Rafidha or Rejecters. They make up the majority of the Shi'a today, and are found in Iran, the gulf countries and Lebanon. Those that accepted to support Zayd bin Ali bin Hussain, became known as Zaydis and are found in Yemen (the houthis). There are other Shi'a sect offshoots like the batiniyyah, the Ismailiyyah, the alawites, the baha'is, the babis, the druze even the ahmadiyyah...etc etc dozens.

The Rafidha (also known as the twelver imams), now started to create a new system of faith, with their own hadith which they imputed falsely to the descendants of the prophet (saw), until all members of the line; which they claimed to be 'Imams'; passed away; upon which they attributed an imaginary son to the last of them; who actually died childless; and claimed that this son was 'hidden secretely' with the true copy of their own Quran, and would only emerge in the last days to lead them to victory. Some of their founders; due to extreme hatred of the companions who transmitted the deen to us; rejected almost all the companions; and the wives of the prophet (saw) as kuffar, or hypocrites. Naturally, to them, this meant that everything that the companions transmitted to us as Islam was criticized as a lie; even the Quran; which they claimed had been changed and corrupted to cover up their cardinal doctrine of twelve Imams. They however, have a practice; which non-Muslims falsely try to foist on all Muslims, called the taqiyyah. This involves lying as an act of faith, to deceive their perceived opponents into believing their outward exhibition of conformity with some orthodox sunni Islam beliefs. Many of their lay adherents are therefore, ignorant of most of their real beliefs, for example, they would say that they have no other Quran; but the books written by their scholars refute these denials. I might add that the Rafidha also attribute Godly characteristics to their 12 Imams, such as omniscience and omnipotence. They also seek 'blessings' by praying to graves and shrines; many of which are acts of the pre-Islamic days of ignorance. The Ashura day that you mentioned is the commemoration of the murder of Hussain bin Ali as mentioned earlier, wherein they gather together in their 'Hussainiyyat', recite emotional (often exaggerated) narratives of the tragedy, and sometimes whip and slash themselves with swords and knives... thinking that they are seeking Allah's pleasure by doing so.

Today, this is the dominant sect of Shi'a.

The Sunnis, or ahl ul Sunnah (people on the prophet's way) on the other hand, are those who follow the Quran as explained by authentic transmissions from the prophet (saw), and his immedeate companions who were with him. They acknowledge the occurrence of fitna among the earlier companions, but leave their judgement to Allah (swt), due to the prophet's prohibition on abusing his companions as stated in many authentic traditions. Along the way, various different understandings of the laws within the sunnah (known as madhhabs) have emerged, due to differing approaches in interpretations. However, the doctrine remains one alhamdulillah. Other off-shoots also occurred when Muslims came in contact with pagan foreign lands, such as the Sufis, the Mu'tazila, etc. Some initial sunni sects gave extremely harsh interpretations, referring to any sin as disbelief among other tenets. These were the khawarij; and groups like Boko Haram tend to follow this ideology.

Of course, we ahl us Sunnah understand that the group that the prophet (saw) mentioned as being on the belief of him and his companions (in the hadith above) are those who live his laws and practice his sayings according to HIS narrations. Naturally, we cannot live like his companions did in matters of worship, unless we love them... which we do. The ahl us Sunnah are people of true monotheism. We do not seek intercessors, or worship graves, or practice magic, or rely on 'protection' from any other than Allah. We also hold the belief that Allah Alone is Omniscient and Omnipotent, and holds the key to reward or punishment in the hereafter.

This in a (huge) nutshell is the story of the differences between the Ahl us Sunnah and the Shi'a. I apologise for the length, but you did ask; and I am obliged to give a comprehensive answer.

Allah knows best.

Nice response bro, @bolded on the issue of Zaidiyah. Scholars have classified them to be Muslims, the majority population of Yemen are Zaidiyah and Sunni. The Huthis are extreme sub-branch of Zaidiyah, they are fighting other moderate Zaidis and Sunnis. The president of Yemen is a Zaidiyah but he loves and associate greatly with Saudi Arabia(a strict salafi state). In fact he called Saudi Arabia to help him in taking care of Huthis, the present war going on in Yemen is between Saudi Arabia, Zaidiyah, Sunni tribesmen against the Huthis and Iran!