those who accept the Sunna and the historic succession of Caliphs, as opposed to the 'Alids; the majority of the Muslim community.

the majority of Muslims, who accept the authority of the first generation of Muslims and the validity of the historic succession of caliphs.

Adherents of the majority branch of Islam, Sunnism; the term sunni means a follower of the sunnat of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). They believe in the khilaafat of Maulana ‘Ali (AS) and regard his as the fourth caliph of Islam.

Followers of the "tradition," who believe that the Prophet’s successor should be elected; approximately 85 percent of all Muslims are Sunni.

Political and theological division within Islam; followers of the Umayyads. (p. 290)