Split of Islam
Split of Islam (Shi’a and Sunni)
The Shi’a and Sunni religions came about for various reasons; beginning with the birth of the leader Muhammad in 570. Muhammad founded the religion Muslim (Islam) in 610 and throughout his life began preaching Islam in 613 and conquered Mecca in 630. Following Muhammad’s death in 632, Abu Bakr and Ali are nominated to serve in Muhammad’s position. Abu Bakr is selected but the minority that voted for Ali became known as Shiat Ali. In 656, Abu Bakr was assassinated making Ali the 4th caliph thus creating the spilt beliefs in the Muslim religion. The group of Ali supporters believe Ali should be known as the 4th caliph, while Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. On the other hand the Shi’a Muslims believe Ali is the 1st since the caliphate should only be someone of direct descendant of Muhammad.
Beginning in 661, violence began to spread throughout the Muslims and resulted in the assassination of Ali. Ali’s son Hussein promised to hold the caliphate until Mu'awiya, who had declared himself caliph after the death of Ali, died. In 680, Hussein declares battle at Karbala in Iraq with Mu’awiya’s son Yazid. Being extremely outnumbered, he is defeated, his army massacred, and he is beheaded. The split between Shi’a and Sunnis deepens. Shi’a consider Ali as their 1st Imam and Hussein as the 3rd Imam.
Many years pass and in 873 the 11th Shiite Imam dies but no one serves after him. During the Lesser Occultation period from 873-940, the 11th Imam’s son disappears and leaves his representatives to run the Shiite faith. In 940 during the Greater Occultation period, there is no 12th Imam leaving the Shiite faith vulnerable. In 1258, The Mongols, led by Hulagu, destroy Baghdad, ending the Sunni Arab caliphate.
The schism of another religion is highly possible because of the very biased and separate opinions and beliefs modern society has today. Because of the Islamic schism, various parts of the Middle East and vast parts of
The Shi’a and Sunni religions came about for various reasons; beginning with the birth of the leader Muhammad in 570. Muhammad founded the religion Muslim (Islam) in 610 and throughout his life began preaching Islam in 613 and conquered Mecca in 630. Following Muhammad’s death in 632, Abu Bakr and Ali are nominated to serve in Muhammad’s position. Abu Bakr is selected but the minority that voted for Ali became known as Shiat Ali. In 656, Abu Bakr was assassinated making Ali the 4th caliph thus creating the spilt beliefs in the Muslim religion. The group of Ali supporters believe Ali should be known as the 4th caliph, while Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. On the other hand the Shi’a Muslims believe Ali is the 1st since the caliphate should only be someone of direct descendant of Muhammad.
Beginning in 661, violence began to spread throughout the Muslims and resulted in the assassination of Ali. Ali’s son Hussein promised to hold the caliphate until Mu'awiya, who had declared himself caliph after the death of Ali, died. In 680, Hussein declares battle at Karbala in Iraq with Mu’awiya’s son Yazid. Being extremely outnumbered, he is defeated, his army massacred, and he is beheaded. The split between Shi’a and Sunnis deepens. Shi’a consider Ali as their 1st Imam and Hussein as the 3rd Imam.
Many years pass and in 873 the 11th Shiite Imam dies but no one serves after him. During the Lesser Occultation period from 873-940, the 11th Imam’s son disappears and leaves his representatives to run the Shiite faith. In 940 during the Greater Occultation period, there is no 12th Imam leaving the Shiite faith vulnerable. In 1258, The Mongols, led by Hulagu, destroy Baghdad, ending the Sunni Arab caliphate.
The schism of another religion is highly possible because of the very biased and separate opinions and beliefs modern society has today. Because of the Islamic schism, various parts of the Middle East and vast parts of