As a specialist in the field of religious studies, I can provide an informed response to the question of whether the majority of Muslims are Sunni.

**Introduction to Islam and its Denominations**

Islam is a monotheistic religion founded in the 7th century by the Prophet Muhammad in what is now Saudi Arabia. It is the second-largest religion in the world, with followers known as Muslims. Muslims believe in the oneness of God and follow the teachings of the Quran, the holy book of Islam.

The Muslim community is divided into two main branches: Sunni and Shia. These denominations emerged following a disagreement over the succession to the leadership of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. The majority of Muslims are Sunni, while a smaller number are Shia.

Understanding Sunni Islam

Sunni Islam is the largest branch of the religion, comprising approximately 80-90% of the world's Muslim population. Sunnis follow the "Sunnah," which refers to the practices and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. They believe in the legitimacy of the first four caliphs who succeeded Muhammad and that the caliph should be chosen by consensus of the community.

Sunnis place a strong emphasis on the importance of scholarly interpretation of the Quran and the Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet). They have a diverse range of beliefs and practices, which can vary widely depending on cultural and regional factors.

Understanding Shia Islam

Shia Muslims make up a smaller fraction of the Muslim population, estimated to be around 10-20%. Shias believe that leadership of the Muslim community should have remained within the Prophet's family, specifically his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, and his descendants, known as Imams.

Shias have a distinct religious tradition that includes a special veneration for Ali and the other Imams. They also have their own set of religious texts, in addition to the Quran, such as the Nahj al-Balagha and the Four Books, which are considered sources of guidance and religious law.

Geographical Distribution

The distribution of Sunni and Shia Muslims varies significantly across different regions. Sunni Islam is predominant in most parts of the world, including the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. In contrast, Shia Islam has significant populations in countries such as Iran, Iraq, and Azerbaijan, and there are also substantial Shia communities in Lebanon, Yemen, and Pakistan.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the majority of Muslims worldwide are indeed Sunni, making up about 80-90% of the global Muslim population. This is a reflection of the early historical developments within the Muslim community and the subsequent spread of Islam across various regions. While both Sunni and Shia Islam share the core tenets of the faith, they have distinct beliefs, practices, and histories that have shaped their respective communities.

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Adherents of Islam constitute the world's second largest religious group. According to a study in 2015, Islam has 1.8 billion adherents, making up about 24% of the world population. Most Muslims are either of two denominations: Sunni (80-90%, roughly 1.5 billion people) or Shia (10-C20%, roughly 170-340 million people).read more >>