Reasons for the Division of Early Shi'Ite Movement Into Different Sects - Essay Example

Division of the early Shiite movement al Affiliation Reasons for the division of early Shiite movement into differentsects Introduction The early Shiite movement is a political movement based in the Arab countries of Islam origin (Marcinkowski, 2010). It is allied with different political movements in Lebanon, Iraq and North African countries among others. Members of the caliphate believe that the successor is Ali, Muhammads son-in-law. Shi’ite movement is one of the largest branches of Shia Islam that has around 10 percent of the Muslim population. The movement follows most of Alis customs and beliefs that are shared with other Muslim movements (Mishal & Goldberg, 2014). The majority of the members believe in ideologies that are against the central government in different states. The Shiites have clerics and leaders that have led to the movements survival skills in hostile environments due to the formulation of political militancy (Mishal & Goldberg, 2014). The movements economic might is based on the religious taxes by its clerics. However, there is no formal hierarchy in the Shiite clergy structure. The majority of modern Shiites include the Twelve-imam Shiites that consist of Lebanon, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Iran among others (Marcinkowski, 2010). The member states have been known to survive in disappearance strategies whereby they have not been noted by leading political movements in member countries. The pan-Islamic ideology was formulated after the Iranian Revolution of 1979 that led to its progression in both religious and cultural perspectives. The movement requires that Islam should be used as a motivating power for the oppressed in different governments. Shiites require that their beliefs should not only be used for devotional purposes but also to represent the citizens as a form of government check for transparency and accountability (Marcinkowski, 2010). A difference in leadership and ideologies between the member states started causing divisions among the movement into different Islam sects. Changes in religious ideologies For the last one decade, there has been a change in the Islam religion due to transformation in the comprehension of the sacred books. Additionally, the issue of Mohammads successor also led to a split in the caliphate due to the successors philosophies. The variations in individual beliefs changes in the first century when there was a need for Shiites and Sunnis split from the main Islam religion (Tucker, 2008). The division in religion also caused a change in the leadership and membership locations. Importantly, Shiites are divided into three main sects that include the Zaydis, The Ismailis and the Twelve Imams (Tucker, 2008). The division is based on geographical and political factors. For example, the Zaydis are found in Yemen while the Ismailis are mostly found in East Africa. The main differences in the three sects include the doctrines of religious leadership and their comprehension of the Holy Books. Five principles and supports contribute to the division of the sects. Firstly, divine unity or the belief in different successors. However, there has also been a difference in ideologies whereby some belief in the same successor but different opinions of Unitarianism (Tucker, 2008). The Shiites prophecy has also contributed to the division where some of the members believe they have a different quest in their lives leading to mass killings in different situations. The resurrection and judgment have also caused controversies that have been used to change the perceptions of members that do not understand the religion. The Imamate or meaning of Islam leadership has also caused a variation in the Shiite religious ideology. For example, the Twelve Imams have a different view in the leadership of the movement whereby they have a pessimistic notion (Marcinkowski, 2010). Lastly, Justice is the final religious principal that contributed to the division of the Shiites. Most cases of taboos and prohibitive behaviors in Islam have different approaches to justice. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) can also be regarded as a sect of the Shiite movement due to the similarity of religious customs. However, the ISIS has a different way of offering justice based on its religious principles. Changes in the economy Changing trends in global economies have also contributed to the division of the Shiite movement. The early Shiite members got their financial support from the religious taxes that were being collected by the clerics (Marcinkowski, 2010). However, the amount of funds was not enough to support the increasing Shiite members. Most of the joining states did not have enough economic might due to the differences in the political structures. Notably, most of the members of the Shiite movement are from third world countries. Since the Shiite religious customs and beliefs did not support theft or other sources of income such as from politics and the military, some members decided to start other sects. For example, the Hezbollah in Lebanon is a militant group that was based on economic foundations. The members have a craving for financial gains without the set procedures. As a result, the members use their power to overcome ruling governments in order to control most of the resources in the country. Some of the sects have been referred to as terrorist groups due to their operation ideologies. Developed countries have also been known to take advantage of the less developed states due to the abundance of resources. Consequently, the approach has changed in recent years whereby these countries approach anti-government movements such as the Shiite and corrupting their ideology through financial help. Provision of monetary capacity has been used to attract most of the members to change mainly the perception of religious leaders. The Shiite members are in the oil global zones; hence, the control of the oil rigs leads to financial, militant and political power. Most of the sects such as the ISIS have areas of influence where they can control resources. Competition between the Shiite members has led to a drift in the religious customs of the sects (Marcinkowski, 2010). Subsequently, there has been a split in the Shiites based on the military and leadership principles. The main sects have strong leaders and higher political might. Economic divisions include situations where the sects have taken over social amenities to increase the number of members through their control. However, the approach has been used to brainwash and change the religious beliefs of the Shiites. A difference in the economic philosophies has led to the rise of different political and religious leaders. A change in political conceptions Most of the sects have political foundations. For example, the Hezbollah was started as a political association to fight for the rights of the Lebanese. A change in the political structure in most of the member states has changed the opinion of the associates. Politics is used to influence individuals in the way of governance. Power and resources influence politicians rather than member ideologies (Marcinkowski, 2010). As a result, the increasing global competition for resources has changed the perception of politics. There has been a rise in the number of dictators or undemocratic leaders have led to the increase in leadership loopholes. The styles have contributed to the division of the Shiite movement through the founding principles. For example, most of the sects have come up in war-torn countries or states where leaders are resistant to change. The Lebanon political crisis led to the split of the movement to members that were being oppressed by the ruling government. The Twelve-Imam members have been known to represent the public in the government. Islam states have a unique leadership style that includes a royal family controlling the countrys resources, political and military departments (Marcinkowski, 2010). The changing trends in global politics have led to democratic leadership approaches where all individuals are involved in the political process. As a result, the Shiites have used their religious ideology to engage in democracy. They have targeted third world countries where political leaders use the state resources for personal gain. However, some militants have used the strategy to take advantage of the public and use the resources for the gain of the sects. The chase for wealth has led to the division of the Shiites since most of the leaders are after economic prowess. The Shi’ite movement has also been used as a puppet by political structures from developed countries with personal benefits. As a result, the differences in ideas have led to the division of the group due to the presence of resistors and collaborators. For example, Iraq has been targeted by countries that support terrorism; hence, changing the perception of the Shiite. A shift in ideas has led to the development of other sects that are used as puppets. They are supported economically by attached strings on the basis of resources and military capacity. The successors of the Shiite movement have also had a change in views due to the presence of education. Literacy levels have raised in the Islam states leading to an increase in the number of elites. The scholars do not agree with the Islam customs especially on the nature of judgments; hence, change the conception through religious movements such as the Shiite. For example, they train individuals among the members and provide them with different political perspectives leading to the division through small cells. Additionally, terrorists also use the same approach by brainwashing the members with different comprehensions of their Holy Book. Geographical factors The difference geographical features and boundaries also contributed to the split of the Shiite movement into different sects. Originally, the movement was started in the Middle East where there are high numbers of member states. However, the variation in boundaries and the introduction of new states also led to the growth of the movement. As the group entered new territories, it faced a change in the customs and beliefs due to the diversity in religion (Tucker, 2008). The Twelve-Imams are from the same geographical location that contributed to the membership strategy. Despite the same Islam principles, the countries had different leaders and features that contributed to a split in its membership. For example, features such as mountains and rivers acted as divisions that presented different beliefs among the members. Globalization, cultural and social integration Modernization and technological advancements have led to transportation among different states. Consequently, the movements led to social integration whereby individuals from different social structures. The integration was caused by the need for technical and skilled labor support in the member states. Consequently, much influence from the Asian and Western countries brought with them their cultural beliefs. Additionally, the Middle East states also had different ideologies on Islam after the Shiites separated from the Sunnis. Social integration led to the incorporation of other religious cultures into Islam causing a drift in the membership (Mishal & Goldberg, 2014). Studies show that present sects such as the ISIS have been caused by the social integration and exchange of ideas. Membership has changed from Islam only to any member who shares the same ideology as the sect. As a result, some of the sects have been known as cults because they do not have the same religious principle as the main movement. Incorporation of western cultures has led to the adoption of ideologies such as capitalism. Consequently, there has been a change from religious to capitalist groups that are in search of wealth and fame. Cultural integration has contributed to the split of the Shiite movement through a series of notions. For example, some of the Islamic states are against the western countries due to various reasons such as economic and political ideologies. As a result, enemies of the Western countries such as the U.S have used the movements for their personal benefits. Allies have come up with ideas that to change the insights of the superpowers by offering financial and military support to the members. The Shiite movement has pessimistic views due to cultural integration from various allies. Western culture, on the other hand, has tried to present education to the young Islam so that they cannot be brainwashed by some of the cultures. Notably, most of the terrorist associations have foundations from the Shiite movement based on cultural backgrounds. The sect cultures have different beliefs about death and western ideologies despite basing their belief in the Holy Books. Civil conflicts Civil wars include planned and organized groups within the same state. Most of the civil conflicts occur in the Middle East and Africa where there are underdeveloped countries. The Shiite movement had its membership across different Middle East countries that were involved in civil wars (Mishal & Goldberg, 2014). Additionally, the group also took advantage of the civil wars to support either of the parties based on the religious structure. The conflicts were used as motivational factors among the group members whereby they would seek help to overcome inferior tribes. During the formation of the Shiite movement, there was the presence of different revolutions and civil movement rights in the member states that contributed to the split of the Islam society. The wars were based on different causes, but the consistent factors include finance between the states. Membership depended on the strength of the tribes in different countries. Present civil wars can be noticed in Syria where there have been changes in public opinions. Consequently, the leaders have come up different strategies that have caused a split in the members based on the religious views. Additionally, the Shiite and the Sunni have always had differences since their formation. The tribes found in different countries are from different Islamic groups; hence, contributing to the civil wars. Civil wars can also be caused by the population size whereby the ruling population might be the majority; hence, taking advantage of the minority. Such conflicts have also contributed to the split of the Shiite movement where there are higher numbers of the Sunnis. Rebellions also contribute to civil wars due to resistance to political and religious change in the society. The civil wars have also led to the migration of some of the top leaders in the search for exile strategies. The leaders move with their ideologies to refuge states and come up with their views on Islam. For example, the growth of Al-Qaeda has been contributed to by the movement of leaders across the globe and training new members in their duties. For instance, the Ismailis moved to Eastern Africa as a branch of the Shiites and later came up with new ideas. Consequently, there has been a rise of other sub-branches such as the Alshabab that have different Islamic views compared to the Sunnis. Large movements that were formed during past revolutions act as fosters that provide ideas, policies, plans and financial support. Conclusion The division of the Shiite movement can be viewed in both positive and negative perspectives (Mishal & Goldberg, 2014). The sects have been used to represent Islam based on the Shiites religious views in different member states. However, transformations and global revolutions have brought different comprehensions to the Islamic culture. The modernization has caused a paradigm shift leading to groups with personal and selfish objectives. Consequently, most sects have become military groups with their inhuman governing principles. Remarkably, terrorism has been thought to be a result of the Shi’ite’s spilt whereby members have used fear to control their areas of influence. They have also attacked non-Muslim states with the aim of becoming famous and planning for the Islam culture to become the largest religion. The Shiite movement has a role of controlling religious customs and beliefs that are being used as a foundation for the formation of dangerous movements. References Marcinkowski, C. (2010). Shiite identities. Berlin: Lit. Mishal, S., & Goldberg, O. (2014). Understanding Shiite leadership. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Tucker, W. (2008). Mahdis and millenarians. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Read More