SSC MTS EXAM

Detailed explanation-1: -Ali’s supporters, who believed that direct descendants of Muhammad were the only rightful leaders of the faith, would become known as the Shia (from “Shi’at Ali, ‘’ or “the party of Ali”).

Detailed explanation-2: -Shīʿa Muslims believe that ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, should have been the designated successor to Muhammad as Islam’s spiritual and political leader.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Sunni branch of Islam stipulates that, as a head of state, a caliph should be elected by Muslims or their representatives. Followers of Shia Islam, however, believe a caliph should be an Imam chosen by God from the Ahl al-Bayt (the “Household of the Prophet").