10. The Roots of Islam’s Sunni-Shiite Split Gave Rise to Terrorism
A Muslim minority believed that leadership should be confined to the Prophet’s family. They coalesced around Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib, and became known as Shiites, or faction, of Ali. A majority believed that leadership should not be restricted to the Prophet’s family, and became known as Sunnis. The first three Caliphs, or successors of the Prophet, were elected by Muslims who bypassed Muhammad’s kinsman Ali each time. On the fourth try, after the murder of the third Caliph, Ali was finally elected as the Prophet’s successor. However, the third Caliph’s relatives alleged that Ali was implicated in the murder, and engineered the election of a rival Caliph, Muawiya, with a base in Damascus, Syria. The rivals went to war, but at the Battle of Siffin, in 657, Ali was prevailed upon to cease fighting, even though his forces were winning, and settle the issue through arbitration.
