The split in the Muslim community following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE primarily revolved around the question of leadership and succession. This division led to the emergence of two major sects within Islam: Sunni and Shia.
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Sunni Islam: The majority of Muslims identify as Sunni. Following Muhammad's death, the Sunni community believed that leadership should be based on consensus and the election of a leader (caliph) from among the Prophet's companions. They supported Abu Bakr, a close companion of Muhammad and his father-in-law, to become the first caliph. Sunnis emphasized the community's collective decision-making in selecting leaders, advocating for the idea that anyone who was qualified could lead, regardless of familial ties to Muhammad.
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Shia Islam: In contrast, a significant minority of Muslims became known as Shia, who believed that leadership should remain within the Prophet's family, specifically through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib. They argued that Muhammad had designated Ali as his rightful successor, a belief rooted in various prophecies that Shia Muslims claim the Prophet had made during his lifetime. For Shia Muslims, Ali's leadership represented a divinely ordained continuity of Muhammad’s authority.
The dispute over leadership led to a series of conflicts and political struggles known as the "First Fitna" (656-661 CE), which included the assassination of Ali and the eventual establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate. Over the following centuries, theological, political, and cultural differences between Sunnis and Shias deepened, resulting in distinct religious practices, beliefs, and identities.
These divisions have persisted through history and contribute to ongoing tensions in various parts of the Muslim world today. The Sunni-Shia split is not merely a historical issue; it has ongoing implications for political dynamics, sectarian violence, and cultural relations in contemporary Muslim societies.