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in its two main branches of Catholicism and Protestantism and their various sects. If we look at the Islamic world today, the only Shí’a country is Iran. All other Islamic countries today are Sunní, although some Sunní countries e.g. Iraq, Bahrain, Republic of Azerbaijan, Yemen and Lebanon have significant Shí’a populations.
Succession to the Prophet: Imám ‘Alí
There is nothing specific written in the Qur’án regarding who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad. The Prophet Muhammad had no sons. The Shí’a use the record of the Prophet’s special favors to ‘Alí and His oral statements indicating ‘Alí’s special station over everyone else, as the basis of ‘Alí being the rightful successor to the Prophet.
‘Alí was the cousin of the Prophet, and His foster brother. ‘Alí also married the Prophet’s daughter, Fātima. Fātima is given a very high station especially by the Shí’a (she is seen as being Immaculate, Pure) and is usually called Fātima-az-Zahrā (zahrā means ‘the one that shines, the radiant’). Throughout the Prophet’s life, ’Alí was very close to the Prophet and there is a lot of historical data that the Prophet accorded ‘Alí a higher rank and station over everyone else. Shí’a historians put forward evidence from the Prophet’s actions and statements during His lifetime that the Prophet intended `Alí to succeed Him as leader of the Muslim community. Here is one example: When the Prophet was returning to Medína from His last pilgrimage to Mecca, He announced to all of His companions: “Whoever has Me as his Lord, also has `Ali as his Lord. O God! Be Thou the supporter of whoever supports `Ali and the enemy of whoever opposes him.”
However, the above oral nomination of `Ali and many other examples were not sufficiently clear or accepted by all, so on the passing of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, an ad hoc assembly of Muslims picked Abu-Bakr as Caliph (meaning head of the Muslim community). `Ali, for the sake of Muslim unity, did not oppose Abu-Bakr and instead retired from public life. After Abu-Bakr’s death, `Umar was picked as Caliph and after him, `Uthman was made Caliph. After the murder of `Uthman in 656 CE, the people of Medína proclaimed `Ali to be Caliph. `Ali accepted the Caliphate but was immediately opposed by a number of factions. `Ali was assassinated at the Mosque of Kúfa in 661 CE and buried in Najaf (which is right beside Kúfa). Najaf/Kúfa are about 60 miles south of Baghdad (see ‘Atabát below).
Imám Hasan & Imám Husayn
‘Alí and Fātima had two sons, Hasan & Husayn. After ‘Alí’s assassination, Hasan succeeded ‘Alí to the Caliphate but was soon forced to abdicate in favor of