One of the main points over which Sunnis and Shias disagree is the issue of leadership and succession following the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis believe that the leadership of the Muslim community should be chosen through consensus and that the first four caliphs, known as the "Rightly Guided Caliphs," were legitimate successors to the Prophet. Shias, on the other hand, believe that leadership should be hereditary and that the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, should have been his immediate successor. This disagreement over the rightful leaders of the Muslim community has led to centuries of tension and conflict between Sunnis and Shias.
