HISTORY
HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Shia
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Sunni
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Islam
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Muslims
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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: -Both sides agreed that Allah is the one true God and that Muhammad was his messenger, but one group (which eventually became the Shiites) felt Muhammad’s successor should be someone in his bloodline, while the other (which became the Sunnis) felt a pious individual who would follow the Prophet’s customs was acceptable.
Detailed explanation-3: -There are three main branches of Shia Islam today-the Zaidis, Ismailis and Ithna Asharis (Twelvers or Imamis).
Detailed explanation-4: -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").
Detailed explanation-5: -Sunni Muslims believe that the first four caliphs are legitimate, whereas Shiite Muslims only recognize Ali as the first true caliph.