Sunni Meaning and Definition
Sunni
Pronunciation
/ˈsʌni/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A person who adheres to the Islam faith, considered to be one of the two main sub-denominations, along with Shia Islam.
Etymology
The term “Sunni” comes from the Arabic word “ahl as-sunna wa’l-jamāʿa” meaning “people of the tradition” or “adherents of the traditional doctrine”, which refers to the traditional school of thought in Islam.
Usage Notes
Sunni is often used to refer to a follower of the Hanafi school of thought or to a Muslim who follows the traditional Sunni creed.
Cultural References
Sunni is mentioned in various literary works, including the novel “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, and the movie “American Sniper” by Clint Eastwood.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Sunni and Shia are often used together to refer to the two main denominations of Islam.
Related Words or Phrases
- Shia
- Islam
- Muslim
Collocations
- Sunni community
- Sunni mosque
Frequency of Use
Sunni is a commonly used term in Islamic studies and cultural contexts, particularly in Arabic and Persian-speaking countries.
Common Misspellings
- Sunie
- Suni