Islam Cannot be Criticized as a Monolithic Faith

Executive summary about Muslim by Austin Cline

Comments from both Muslims and critics can give the impression that Islam is a single, united, monolithic religion but this is false. In Islam, the major division is between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

Most statements about Islam apply to Sunni Islam, which represents the vast majority of Muslims. Shia Muslims hold the same fundamental beliefs of other Muslims, with the principle addition being that they also believe in an imamate, which is the distinctive institution of Shia Islam.

The real ecclesiastical power lies with the four orthodox schools of legal thought because they define the boundaries of Islamic law, theology, and belief.

1. Maliki: founded by Abd Allah Malik ibn Anas (ca. 715-95).

2. Hanifite: founded by An Numan ibn Thabit Abu Hanifa (ca. 700-67).

3. Shafi'ite: founded by Muhammad ibn Idris ash Shafii (767-820).

4. Hanbali: founded by Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal (780-855).

Unlike the Sunnis, Shia Muslims have from the start regarded inherited, mystical elements as fundamental to the nature of religious authority. The term Shia is a shortened form of Shiat Ali, which means "the party of Ali". Ali was Muhammad's adoptive brother, the husband of his favorite daughter, and father of his favorite grandsons.

Differences in religious authority create significant differences in how a religion works. Rationalized, legalistic religions require certain types of critical arguments while charismatic, mystical religions require different critical arguments. If you want to critique Islam, then, you need to know which Islam you are critiquing and where it is most vulnerable.