The division between Sunni and Shia Muslims originated after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE and arose from a disagreement over
who should succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community. Sunnis believed that leadership should be based on consensus among the community, while Shias believed that leadership should be inherited through the Prophet's family, specifically through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
This disagreement led to a split in the Muslim community, with Sunnis following the leadership of the elected caliphs and Shias following the leadership of Ali and his descendants, known as Imams. Over time, theological differences and different interpretations of Islamic teachings further deepened the divide between Sunni and Shia Muslims.
Today, the Sunni-Shia divide remains a significant factor in the Muslim world, with conflicts and tensions between the two groups present in countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Bahrain. Despite these divisions, both Sunni and Shia Muslims share many core beliefs and practices and consider each other to be fellow Muslims.