What is the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

Sunni and Shia are the two main branches of Islam, and they differ in their beliefs and practices. The main difference between them is their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. Sunni Muslims believe that the first four caliphs, or leaders of the Muslim community, were rightly guided and should be followed. They are the majority of Muslims worldwide, and their religious practices are based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the four caliphs.

Shia Muslims, on the other hand, believe that the Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, should have been the first caliph, and that the caliphs who followed him were not legitimate. They believe in the authority of the imams, or religious leaders who are descended from Ali, and their practices are based on their teachings. Shia Muslims are the minority of Muslims worldwide, and they are mainly concentrated in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon.

There are also some differences in religious practices between the two groups, such as the way they pray, fast, and perform other religious rituals. However, both groups share the same fundamental beliefs, such as the belief in one God, the Prophet Muhammad as the last messenger of God, and the importance of the Quran as the holy book of Islam.