<human>:  What is the difference between the three types of muslims?
<bot>: The three primary types of Muslims are Sunni, Shi'a, and Sufism. Sunni Muslims comprise the largest population of Muslims and believe that Muhammad's political and religious leadership should be followed. Shi'a Muslims represent a smaller percentage of the global Muslim population and believe that the spiritual and political leadership of the early Islamic community has been replicated through the descendents of the Prophet Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. Sufism is a non-sectarian spiritual tradition within Islam, centered on a system of devotional gatherings, spiritual practices and a specific mission of guidance and ritual purification.