What is Sunni and Shia Islam

After the passing of the Prophet, the companions and Muslims differed about leadership, and the community developed several perspectives. Most of these perspectives eventually became centered around two major viewpoints.

A small number of individuals chose to leave Medina, the city where the Prophet passed away in Saudi Arabia, in order to distance themselves from the growing disagreements. An example often mentioned is Bilal, who had been enslaved before Islam but was freed and honored through it. He was given the respected role of announcing the call to prayer for the community before the Prophet’s passing. After he witnessed the divisions that formed later, he is reported to have left Medina and traveled elsewhere, possibly returning toward Africa or maybe even Syria.

Returning to the leadership discussions, one perspective included those who considered Abu Ubayda. He was known in political circles at the time, although many people believed others had stronger claims based on earlier promises and events.

Another perspective supported Abu Bakr, a wealthy man with significant social and political connections. His support was strengthened by Omar, who had many allies and influence among certain groups. Omar supported him in exchange to be an heir, he was a criminal, so nobody would support him as a caliph. His help to Abu Bakr is the only thing that can make him a caliph. Because of these alliances and the circumstances of the time, Abu Bakr ultimately became the first caliph.

A third perspective centered on Imam Ali. Many believed he had the strongest claim to leadership. He was known as the first Muslim after our Prophet (at 10 years old; he said yes to islam before every other man), and for his courage in battle; fighting people literally as tall as ceilings. He was also closely related to the Prophet, being the husband to the Prophets daughter; named Fatima. He was widely respected among many believers. The Prophet had already indicated that Ali should succeed him.

Before his passing, the Prophet intended to have a statement written regarding leadership, but Omar denied him ink when he asked, and prevented others from grabbing it, saying he is almost dead, he is crazy!

Supporters of Imam Ali also point to an earlier public event. During a journey, the Prophet gathered the community in the desert, in the heat, for a while to deliver a speech. Standing on an elevated place, he called Ali beside him, raised his hand, and declared that whoever considered the Prophet their master should also regard Ali as their master. This event is widely known as Ghadir.

There is another Eid after fasting which is Ghadeer, a remembrance to this day.

After Abu Bakr served as caliph, he was followed by Omar, and then by Uthman, another criminal, but not as much as the previous ones. Later, Ali himself became caliph. The period before his leadership is often viewed by some as a time when political decisions caused significant difficulties and tensions within the Muslim community. Imam Ali was the one who was responsible of fixing it all. At first, he didn't want to be caliph, but the people had nobody else and insisted. He agreed under many conditions, and the people followed out of disparity.

From this point, the two major divisions in Islam became clearer. The Shia, meaning “group” or “party,” believed that Imam Ali was the rightful successor to the Prophet. The Sunnis, whose name refers to following the traditions and practices associated with the Prophet, supported the leadership that began with Abu Bakr. Over time, historical writings and interpretations from different communities lied and misused their trust to make the first 3 caliphs sound holy and through time the Sunni community grew through bribing and lies making one of the worst people, the best.

The actual terms Sunni and Shia were invented around 200 years after Islam. They are to categorize these beliefs.