Why did the early Muslim community split into two major branches after Muhammad's death?

History · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When the Prophet Muhammad died in 632 without a clear successor, his followers faced a crisis of leadership. While some chose a caliph through consensus, others believed authority was divinely reserved for his family. This disagreement sparked a divide that would shape the political and spiritual landscape of Islam forever.

The origins of the Shi'ah, or 'party' of Ali, are rooted in the immediate aftermath of Muhammad's death in 632. While the Prophet's body was being prepared for burial, tribal leaders gathered to select Abu Bakr as the first caliph. This decision bypassed Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, whom many believed had been divinely designated as the rightful successor. This belief was bolstered by reports, such as the event at Ghadir Khumm, where Muhammad allegedly declared Ali his 'mawla,' a term whose interpretation remains a central point of theological contention.

The political tension intensified under the Umayyad dynasty. Ali eventually served as the fourth caliph, but his reign was marked by civil strife, including the Battle of the Camel in 656 and the Battle of Siffin in 657. Following Ali's assassination in 661, his supporters looked to his sons for leadership. The conflict reached a tragic turning point in October 680 at Karbala, where Ali's son, Husayn, and his small band of followers were killed by Umayyad forces after Husayn refused to pledge allegiance to the caliph Yazid.

This event transformed the Shi'ah from a political faction into a distinct religious movement. Over the following centuries, the movement evolved through various dynasties, including the Fatimids and the Buyids, leading to what historians often call the 'Shi'a Century' between the mid-10th and mid-11th centuries. The movement's focus on the Ahl al-Bayt—the Prophet's family—provided an alternative source of guidance, emphasizing that spiritual and political authority should remain within the lineage of the Prophet. This legacy continues to define the identity of Shi'a Muslims today.

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