Answer:
The Sunni and Shia are the two largest branches of Islam, and they have a number of differences in their beliefs and practices.
One major difference between the Sunni and Shia is their beliefs about the succession of leadership in the Muslim community. The Sunni believe that the leader of the Muslim community, or caliph, should be elected by the community, while the Shia believe that the caliph should be a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad. This difference stems from a dispute over who should succeed Muhammad as the leader of the Muslims after his death. The Sunni believe that the first four caliphs, who were chosen by the community, were the rightful leaders, while the Shia believe that the leadership should have passed directly to Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
Another major difference between the Sunni and Shia is their beliefs about the role and authority of religious leaders. The Sunni believe that religious scholars, or imams, should have a limited role in interpreting the Quran and Islamic law, and that their authority should be derived from their knowledge and expertise. The Shia, on the other hand, believe that imams have a more central and authoritative role in interpreting the Quran and Islamic law, and that they have a divinely-granted authority to lead the Muslim community. This difference is related to the Shia belief in the concept of the "Hidden Imam," or the belief that the 12th imam, who disappeared in the 9th century, will one day return as the savior of the Muslim community.
Overall, the Sunni and Shia have a number of important differences in their beliefs and practices, including their beliefs about the succession of leadership and the role of religious leaders. These differences have played a significant role in the history of Islam and continue to shape the relations between the two branches of the religion.