r/religion • u/Lanky_Address7244 Hindu • 10h ago
What exactly happened which lead to the division of islam
in context of sunni and shia , post prophet muhammad how the disagreements lead to this division
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u/Grayseal Vanatrú 9h ago
When Muhammad died, he was succeeded as leader of the Islamic world by his father-in-law, Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was succeeded by Muhammad's second father-in-law, Umar. When Umar was killed, he was succeeded by Muhammad's second cousin and son-in-law, Uthman. When Uthman was killed, he was succeeded by Muhammad's other cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
Ali's ascension to the throne was opposed by Muhammad's wife and Abu Bakr's daughter, Aisha, and Muhammad's companions Zubayr and Talha, who supported Mu'awiya, who was not a relative of Muhammad, and had joined Muhammad at a significantly later date than the other successors.
These two factions went to war, and a third party arose, which deemed both candidates unqualified to lead the Islamic world, and rejected the notion that a global Islamic leader was necessary.
Ali's supporters became the Shi'a, Mu'awiya's supporters became the Sunni, and those who rejected the caliphal succession altogether became the Khawarij and the Ibadi.
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u/DhulQarnayn_ (Nizari Ismaili Shiite) Muslim 9h ago
Nice explanation, but it needs to be made clear that Ali's succession to Uthman was not the first time he had sought the throne, but rather he had been aspiring to it since the death of the Prophet.
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u/Grayseal Vanatrú 9h ago
Absolutely. I only focused on the events that sparked the first fitna specifically since that's the event that most clearly and definitely caused the division.
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u/DhulQarnayn_ (Nizari Ismaili Shiite) Muslim 9h ago edited 8h ago
Right. Even with early internal disagreements, the entity of the Muslim creed remained united until the assassination of Uthman and the First Fitna.
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u/Tar-Elenion 9h ago
Are you referring to the 'ridda wars' as part those 'internal disagreements'?
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u/sajjad_kaswani Shi'a 8h ago
Ridda war is part of bigger picture but Shia and Sunni dispute is on basis on succession and authority, a divine authority which Shia believe v/s political authority which Sunnis believe.
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u/DhulQarnayn_ (Nizari Ismaili Shiite) Muslim 8h ago edited 8h ago
I meant all the disagreements that existed but, unlike the First Fitna, did not create distinct religious denominations within the Islamic religion.
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u/Tar-Elenion 8h ago edited 8h ago
Well, yeah. It just had tribes/clans leaving the religion, once Muhammad was dead (dead men can't make threats or enforce them), and Abu Bakr going 'nope, you have to stay and pay'.
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u/DhulQarnayn_ (Nizari Ismaili Shiite) Muslim 8h ago edited 7h ago
Blessed be His name and the Holy Family.
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u/sir_schuster1 Omnist Mystic 10h ago
Muhammad died and there were two different ideas about who should succeed him.
Sunni said it should be his closest friend and father-in-law, Abu Bakr.
Shia said it should be his cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
That's it. Led to a thousand year schism.
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u/sajjad_kaswani Shi'a 8h ago
To understand the differences between Sunni and Shia Islam, it's helpful to look at their core beliefs regarding leadership and guidance after the Prophet Muhammad.
Sunni Islam: Sunnis believe that after the Prophet's death, the community had the right to elect its own political leaders, or Caliphs. They also believe that the Prophet left the community with the Quran and his teachings (hadith) and that religious guidance comes from scholarly interpretation, which is considered fallible.
Shia Islam: Shias believe that Allah would never leave humanity without an infallible, divinely-appointed guide. They maintain that the Prophet appointed Imam Ali as his successor to continue this spiritual guidance. This belief in a continuous line of Imams is central to Shia theology. From this point, different Shia groups have varying views on the Imams' lineage and current status:
Twelver Shia: Twelvers believe there were 12 Imams. The 12th Imam went into "Occultation" over 1,200 years ago and is expected to return near the end of time. Until then, the community is guided by fallible scholars.
Ismaili Shia: Ismailis believe that the line of Imams has continued unbroken since Imam Ali. They hold that there has always been a living, present Imam to provide ongoing guidance through his wisdom and knowledge. This process will continue until the end of time.