Main article: are the largest of Islam and are known as Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamā‘h or simply as Ahl as-Sunnah. The word Sunni comes from the word, which means the teachings and actions or examples of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. Therefore, the term 'Sunni' refers to those who follow or maintain the sunnah of the prophet Muhammad. In many countries, overwhelming majorities of Muslims are Sunnis, so that they simply refers to themselves as 'Muslims' and do not use the Sunni label. The Sunnis believe that Muhammad did not specifically appoint a successor to lead the Muslim (community) before his death, and after an initial period of confusion, a group of his most prominent gathered and elected, Muhammad's close friend and a father-in-law, as the first of Islam. Sunni Muslims regard the first four caliphs (,, and ) as ' or 'The Rightly Guided Caliphs'. Sunnis also believe that the position of caliph may be attained, on gaining majority votes, but after the Rashidun, the position turned into a hereditary rule because of the divisions that started by the and others.

After the fall of the in 1923, there has never been another caliph as widely recognized in the. Mvp Baseball 2012 Pc Game. Schools of Sunni jurisprudence. Main article: is an Islamic term that refers to a school of thought or religious within Sunni Islam. Several of the had a unique school of jurisprudence, but these schools were gradually consolidated or discarded so that there are currently four recognized schools. The differences between these schools of thought manifest in some practical and philosophical differences. Sunnis generally do not identify themselves with a particular school of thought, simply calling themselves 'Muslims' or 'Sunnis', but the populations in certain regions will often - whether intentionally or unintentionally - follow the views of one school while respecting others.

Main article: Salafism or Salafi sect or movement follows a literal interpretation of the Qur'an and Sunnah (practise of the Prophet Muhammad). They are an offshoot of the group. They are called Salafīs, Atharīs,, Ahl al-Athar, or any other description, and claim to be the only ones whose true allegiance is to the and the, according to the understanding of the. View the first three generations of Muslims, Muhammad's and the two succeeding generations after them, the and the, and those who followed in their path as being the best sources in order to understand the foundational principles of Islam, this being the methodology of the salaf.

From this they follow the creed with regards to their beliefs and regarding fiqh, as Sheikh once explained, the clearest path is for Muslims who are laymen to follow, do to, a local scholar or teacher. However for those who wish to further their knowledge in fiqh then these Muslims are advised to take learning from a scholar well versed in a particular and study it thoroughly. Main article: It is a movement recently revived by the 18th century teacher in the Arabian peninsula, and was instrumental in the rise of the to power.