Question: When did Shi’ism turn into an independent and self-contained school?

Answer:  In the 7th-8th centuries under Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) 

Question: When did Sunnism as we know it today officially begin?

Answer: 11th century during the Seljuq Dynasty 

Question: When did the initial split between Shia and Sunni begin?

Answer: After the death of the Prophet (s) and the usurpation of Imam Ali’s (as) caliphate 

Question: What are the founding text books of Sunnism?

Answer: Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. 

Question: How and why is it that Sunnism as we know it today was created in the 11th century? What are the reasons?

Answer: Sunnism was established as a unifying body of people by the Seljuq Dynasty in response to threats from Ismaili Shias. They believed unity was the only way they could win the war that they themselves had begun against the Ismailis. 

Question: How do you define Sunnism today?

Answer: The belief in the legitimacy of the Four Righteous Caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Imam Ali), the righteousness of the Prophet’s wives and the eternal nature of God’s words in the Qur’an.