The division between Shia and Sunni Muslims originally arose over
The division between Shia and Sunni Muslims originally arose over a disagreement regarding the rightful succession of leadership after the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. To understand the origins of this division, it is important to delve into the history of early Islam.
After the death of Prophet Muhammad, there was a question of who would lead the Muslim community, known as the Ummah. One group, known as the Sunnis, believed that leadership should be based on the consensus of the Muslim community, and thus elected Abu Bakr as the first Caliph. This group forms the majority of Muslims worldwide and follows the practices of the Prophet and his companions, known as the Sunnah.
On the other hand, another group, known as the Shia, believed that leadership should be hereditary and should go to Ali, who was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. The Shia believed that the divine appointment of leadership was passed down from the Prophet to Ali and his descendants, known as Imams.
The disagreement over leadership led to a significant division between the Sunni and Shia Muslims. It deepened over time, and theological and political differences emerged. The historical and political events that followed further intensified the division, with both sides having distinct religious and cultural practices.
To get a more comprehensive understanding of this division, one can study the Islamic history, the lives of the early Caliphs, the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (the grandson of Prophet Muhammad) at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, and the subsequent development of Shia theology and rituals.
It's important to note that this division between Shia and Sunni Muslims can be complex and multifaceted, varying across different regions and political contexts. Understanding the historical, political, and theological factors is key to comprehending the origins and ongoing differences between these two branches of Islam.
Indicate your subject in the "School Subject" box, so those with expertise in the area will respond to the question.
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "Shia vs. Sunni Muslims " to get these possible sources:
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Shia+vs.+Sunni+Muslims&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.