What was the original difference between the Sunni and Shia

Answer 1

The original difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims was a disagreement over who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad as the leader of the Muslim community. Sunnis believed that the leader should be elected by the community, while Shias believed that the leader should be a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. This disagreement ultimately led to a split in the Muslim community and the formation of the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam.