Divisions within Islam

Early History After Muhammad’s sudden death in 632, it was unclear who would lead the Ummah (Muslim community). Many felt Abu Bakr, one of Muhammad’s closest allies and friends would be the best choice. Others felt that Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law would be the best choice, as he was ahl al-bayt (part of the Prophet’s family).

Early History Abu Bakr was eventually chosen as Muhammad’s successor under historically unclear circumstances. Abu Bakr became the first Caliph. Ali reluctantly agreed with the decision.

Rashidun Under the rule of Abu Bakr and the following three caliphs, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, the Ummah expanded greatly. These first four caliphs are known as the Rashidun or the rightly guided caliphs. Many people view this period as the golden age of Islam and wish to return to this glorious period.

Rashidun After Abu Bakr’s death in 634, Umar became the second caliph, and after Umar’s death in 644, Uthman became the third caliph. During the reign of Uthman, many people became unhappy Uthman began appointing members of his family, the Umayyads, to powerful positions. Many saw this as a departure from religious rule and the first step toward dynastic rule.

Beginning of Controversy Uthman was assassinated in 656 and Ali became the fourth caliph. Many, including Muhammad’s wife Aisha, criticized Ali for not punishing Uthman’s assassins. In Damascus, Muawiyyah, Uthman’s cousin, refused to accepted Ali’s rule. This civil war became known as the fitnah.

Beginning of Controversy Ali and Muawiyyah met in 657 to arbitrate a resolution to the fitnah. The neutral arbiters decided in favor of Muawiyyah and Ali reluctantly stepped down as Caliph. Many people were unhappy with this decision, which they felt was political not religious.

Beginning of Controversy Ali was eventually murdered in an unrelated conflict in 661. His son Hasan came to an agreement with Muawiyyah. In exchange for money, he would recognize the legitimacy of Muawiyyah’s rule. Many, however, still saw the descendents of Ali as the real religious successors to Muhammad. These individuals became known as the Shiah i-Ali, or the Partisans of Ali.

The Formal Split After Muawiyyah’s death, many of the Shiah called for Ali’s second son, Husayn, to become Caliph instead of Muawiyyah’s son Yazid. When Husayn did not recognize Yazid, he was killed by Umayyad forces at Karbala. This cemented the control of the Umayyad dynasty as well as the division with the Shiah.

The Shiah Identity Four years after Husayn’s death, a small group of penitents, or tawwabun, gathered at Kerbala to mourn. The Shiah saw Husayn’s death as an important sacrifice for righteousness. This sacrifice is epitomized in the Shiah holiday of Ashura.

The Shiah Identity During the first ten days of the month of Muharrum and ending with the day of Ashura, the Shiah commemorate Husayn’s martyrdom. There are passion plays which reenact the events at Kerbala and a matam (funeral procession) in which people ritualistically whip themselves. The matam symbolizes the Shiah’s willingness to sacrifice as Husayn did.