7th century CE succession crisis following the death of Muhammad, causing the Sunni–Shia schism in Islam
The succession dispute after Muhammad's death permanently split Islam into Sunni and Shia branches, shaping the religion's doctrinal and political trajectory for over 1,400 years.
Key Facts
- Primary schism
- Sunni vs. Shia Islam, diverging over rightful succession
- Sunni successor
- Abu Bakr, elected at Saqifah
- Shia claimant
- Ali ibn Abi Talib, held to be designated at Ghadir Khumm
- Twelver Shia Imams
- Twelve divinely-appointed successors recognized
- Last Imam's occultation
- Mahdi entered occultation 260 AH (874 CE)
- Third branch
- Ibadi Islam also sides with Abu Bakr's legitimacy
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The death of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 632 CE left no universally agreed-upon mechanism for selecting a successor. Muslims disagreed over whether leadership should pass through communal election or through Muhammad's designated heir, producing competing claims rooted in differing interpretations of hadiths and Quranic verses.
The early Muslim community split over succession: Sunni and Ibadi Muslims accepted Abu Bakr as the legitimately elected caliph chosen at Saqifah, while Shia Muslims held that Muhammad had explicitly designated Ali ibn Abi Talib as his heir, particularly through the Event of Ghadir Khumm following the revelation of Quran verse 5:67.
The dispute crystallized into lasting sectarian divisions. Sunnis recognized the four Rashidun caliphs, while Twelver Shia Muslims regarded all rulers other than Ali and his eleven successors as illegitimate. The anticipated return of the twelfth Imam, the Mahdi, who entered occultation in 874 CE, became a defining eschatological doctrine distinguishing Shia from other Muslim traditions.