After the death of Muhammad in 632, the Muslim community split over the issue of succession. Muhammad had not explicitly named a successor (caliph) before his death, and there were differing opinions among the Muslims regarding who should lead the community.
A majority of Muslims believed that Abu Bakr, Muhammad's close companion and father-in-law, should be the leader (caliph) due to his loyalty, wisdom, and experience. He was ultimately elected as the first caliph by the consensus of the majority.
However, another group, predominantly composed of followers of Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, believed that the caliphate should remain within Muhammad's family. They argued that Ali was the rightful successor and that Muhammad had appointed him as his successor at various instances during his lifetime. These followers of Ali are known as Shias (or Shiites) and believe in the concept of Imamate, which emphasizes the importance of leadership within Muhammad's family.
The division between those who supported Abu Bakr (later called Sunni Muslims) and those who supported Ali (Shia Muslims) marks the beginning of the Sunni-Shia split in Islam. Over time, these divisions deepened, primarily due to different interpretations of religious and political events and the dispute over the rightful leadership of the Muslim community.
When Muhammad died how did the community split
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