Succession to Muhammad

In 632 CE, the Islamic prophet Muhammad died in the Arabian city of Medina, after a brief illness.

Related Topics:
Islamic - Muhammad - Medina

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After an initial period of confusion, command of the Muslim community was taken by Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law and one of the leaders of the Ummah. Muslims in later centuries disagreed sharply as to how this transition was made and whether or not it was legitimate.

Related Topics:
Abu Bakr - Ummah

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On the one side are the Muslims known as Shi'a, or Shi'at Ali, the party of Ali. They believe that Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, was the actual successor, and had been designated as such by Muhammad in accordance with Allah's command.

Related Topics:
Shi'a - Ali ibn Abi Talib

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Other Muslim groups disagreed. The group today known as Sunni, which follows a "traditionalist" scholastic movement that did not exist at the time, is a good representative of the opposing view. Sunnis hold that Abu Bakr was chosen by the community, and that this method of choosing or electing leaders had been endorsed by Muhammad.

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This article attempts to summarize the sources and arguments for particular versions of the succession to Muhammad. It does not intend to arbitrate and discuss who should have succeeded Muhammad. It only attempts to report the various viewpoints and beliefs of groups involved.

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