The Religions Book

(ff) #1

270


W


hen the Prophet
Muhammad, founder of
Islam, died in 632, he
had established Islamic authority
over the entire Arabian peninsula
through a campaign of warfare and
conquest. However, Muhammad
had no sons who survived him,
and on his death the Muslim
community was divided over who
was to succeed him as their leader.

IN CONTEXT


KEY FIGURE
‘Ali ibn Abi Talib

WHEN AND WHERE
c.632–661, Arabia

BEFORE
From 1500 BCE The Hebrew
Bible identifies Abraham
and his successors as having
been chosen by God to
lead the Israelites.

1st century CE After his
death, Jesus is known as
Jesus Christ, the Messiah
or anointed one. His mother
Mary becomes a major
devotional figure.

c.610 CE In Islam, Muhammad
is chosen by God to receive
the revelation of the Qur’an.

AFTER
c.1500 The Persian Safavid
dynasty converts from Sunni
to Shi‘a Islam, and Iran
develops as the major bastion
of Shi‘ism, while Arabia
remains mainly Sunni.

The Shi‘a ‘Ali party believe
that God has indicated
a line of rightful
succession within the
Family of the Prophet.

Muhammad was considered to
have a divine right to rule, but
this prerogative ended with him.
The majority of Muslims believed
that the small group known as the
Companions of the Prophet were
best suited to leadership, since
they were the people most closely
guided by Muhammad and they
were also the compilers of the
Qur’an. One of Muhammad’s

Who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad?

THE IMAM IS


GOD’S CHOSEN


LEADER


THE EMERGENCE OF SHI‘ A ISLAM


Shi‘a Islam is therefore
headed by an imam who
is chosen by God.

Sunni Islam is therefore
headed by a leader
chosen by consensus.

Many followers believe
that electing a leader is in
accordance with the Sunna—
the teachings and sayings
of Muhammad.
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