Shiites and Sunnis: The Danger of Major War from Syria to Pakistan

... actions of the Prophet Muhammad and the four Rightly Guided Caliphs, starting with Abu Bakr. An Arabic word “Sunnah”, meaning “habit” or “usual practice”, or “path” gave the name to adherents of Sunni Islam. Shiites, in contrast, believed that Muhammad's rightful successor was only Ali and his descendants in the male line, but not the caliphs. . Radicals’ attacks have become more frequent in recent years, pushing their coreligionists towards in other ...