HISTORY. History Name of the Student Name of the Univer

discussion, we will try to understand Islamic Schism; the division of Islam into two separate sects: The majority Sunni and the minority Shi'a denominations. The difference between Sunni and Shi’a Islam is complicated as it has span centuries of developments and sometimes-violent conflicts. As part of our course objective to become better global citizens, able to carefully and rationally read and interpret current events in the Middle East, we’re going to slowly set about understanding this crucial difference in Islam. Political in nature, this rift is announced on the day after the death of Muhammad when the disagreement over succession emerges between the camps of Abu Bakr and the camp of Ali; both of them considered to be the closest companions of the prophet Muhammad. Throughout the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, this political struggle will gradually evolve into serious religious differences. Discuss the origin of this conflict and its developments through your investigatio

Running head: HISTORY
History
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HISTORY
Table of Contents
Question 2.................................................................................................................................2
Question 3.................................................................................................................................2
Question 4.................................................................................................................................2
Question 5.................................................................................................................................3
Reference List...........................................................................................................................4

2HISTORY
Question 2
Ans: Ali, also known to many as Ali ibn Abi Talib was known to the Muslims as the fourth
Caliph of Islam and is an important figure of authority to both the Shia’s and the Sunni
Muslims.
Ali missed out on the first, second and the third elections of the Caliphate of the country
because of the fact that he was involved in the various wars that the country was engulfed
during that time. This caused him to miss out on the Caliphates..
Question 3
Ans: In the religion of Islam, the “Imam” is referred to a person who holds considerable
power and authority to be decaled as the leader of the people following the religion of Islam
itself.
Among the Muslims, the Shia’s and the Sunnis have different views of the imams
themselves. Shia Muslims consider the Imam to be a man of God and influential leader of the
community. Sunnis on the other hand, do not have an Imam in that sense of the term itself.
The Sunnis consider the imam to be an important person who heads the prayer meetings and
other religious offerings.
Question 4
Ans: Ali, also known as the fourth Caliph of the religion of Islam had a short reign of only
five years. However, the period of his rule is considered to be tumultuous for the Muslims.
The main reason for this is the fact that Ali on becoming the Caliph, did not punish those
accused of murdering Uthman. This caused tensions between the Umayyad’s and Ali himself.
The period also gave rise to the First Civil War, also known as the First Fitna. Hence, Ali’s
short reign is considered to be a tumultuous one.

3HISTORY
Question 5
Ans: The Umayyad’s were the first major Muslim dynasty to rule the Kingdom of the
Caliphate itself.
The Umayyad’s made the differences between the Shia and the Sunni by oppression the
Shia’s and also on the basis of their beliefs. The Umayyad belonging to the Sunni group,
believed that the position of ruler is obtained from majority supporters, while the Shia’s
believe that the position of ruler is obtained from Allah himself.

4HISTORY
Reference List
Ansary, T. (2009). Destiny disrupted: A history of the world through Islamic eyes.
PublicAffairs.