Sonnites are the orthodox Mohammedans who rigidly adhere to the traditions, and are famous for their opposition to the several heretical sects, especially the Shiites (q.v.), who reject the traditions. The Turks belong to the former, the Persians to the latter sect. They regard the Sonna (q.v.), or traditions, as of equal authority with the Koran, but still do not undervalue the latter. They are accounted orthodox Mohammedans, and recognize the Ottoman emperor as the caliph and spiritual head of Islam. There are four orthodox sects of Sonnites, who agree in points of dogmatic and speculative theology, but differ on ceremonial points and questions of civil and political administration. These sects all unite in hostility to the house of Ali, and to the Shiites, who support his cause.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More