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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Either A or B
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -When Muhammad died in 632, he had not named a successor. One faction, the Shi’a, believed that only individuals with direct lineage to the Prophet could guide the Muslim community righteously. They thought that ‘Ali, Muhammad’s closest surviving blood male relative, should be their next leader (caliph).
Detailed explanation-2: -After Muhammad died, the Muslim community had to choose a successor . Sunni Muslims, make up around 90 per cent of the global Muslim population. They believe that the rightful successor to Muhammad was Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s father-in-law and closest friend.
Detailed explanation-3: -The Sunnis recognize the first four caliphs as the Prophet Muhammad’s rightful successors, whereas the Shiʿah believe that Muslim leadership belonged to Muhammad’s son-in-law, ʿAlī, and his descendants alone.
Detailed explanation-4: -For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque.
Detailed explanation-5: -The original split between Sunnis and Shiites occurred soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, in the year 632.