A compelling History of the ancient schism that continues to divide the Islamic world When Muhammad died in 632 without a male heir, Sunnis contended that the choice of a successor should fall to his closest companions, but Shi\'a believed that God had inspired the Prophet to appoint his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as leader.
Laurence Lou r tells the story of this ancient rivalry, taking readers from the last days of Muha.
So began a schism that is nearly as old as Islam itself.
A compelling History of the ancient schism that continues to divide the Islamic world When Muhammad died in 632 without a male heir, Sunnis contended that the choice of a successor should fall to his closest companions, but Shi\'a believed that God had inspired the Prophet to appoint his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as leader