Branching out is probably a decided fate for religions. All great religions have been through breaking-up; Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism.. and it might sound a bit oxymoronish ... but Atheism has branched out too.

This blog is about the branching out of Islam, very particularly about the events that led to creation of Sunni and Shia sects. The aim is to explore and share the knowledge available on these issues and to bridge the differences between the two main sects of Muslims. Another aim is to identify the diversities of opinion, to cherish them, and to use them to foster our brotherhood.

As we develop this blog, we expect the contributors to remain committed to impersonal, non-prejudiced and scholarly dialogue. All posts are expected to make no derogatory remarks about anybody. We will try to give the least of opinion and the most of knowledge. Readers should be left to make opinions. If you do not agree with any contents of this blog or would like it to be reworded, we will certainly put it for a healthy debate; just leave a comment.

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It is generally accepted that the first point of divide followed the events that took place at Ghadeer-e-Khum (which is close to today's al-Juhfah in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Ghadeer-e-Khum was a place where people from different provinces used to greet each other before taking different routes for their homes after pilgrimage.

It is also generally accepted that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) made a speech there, in which he said "Of whomsoever I am Mawla, Ali is also his Mawla". Many other references are made to this occasion such a revelation of Koranic verses before and after this event, which imply the completion of Islam.

Now here comes the point which really separate the Sunni and Shia Muslims.

• Shias believe that this was an announcement by Muhammad (SAW) that Ali is to succeed him in running the affairs of Islamic state (the word Mawla, in Arabic means "Leader"). Sunnis, however believe that the announcement made by Muhammad (SAW) was to reprimand an uprising against Ali (Radi Allah) among Muslim soldiers who were asked by Ali (Radi Allah) to return their war bounties to him (or the state) for better redistribution. (The word Mawla, in Arabic also means "Friend")

Now this lead to differences on succession of Muhammad (SAW). Here again, there is a fundamental difference:

• Sunnis believe that though the succession was politically important, it does not have a spiritual importance as Islam was already pronounced as "complete" by Allah before succession. Shias, however believe in a more esoteric nature of religious knowledge and contend that succession had a spiritual importance, and the successors were to carry the "Light of Allah" further.

As it happened, Muhammad (SAW) did not appoint a successor explicitly, and Abubakr (Radi Allah) was elected as the first Khalifa (successor) by the nobles; Ali (Radi Allah) was not elected though he did not exhibit explicit resentment. Here again is a fundamental difference.

• Shias do not accept Abubakr (Radi Allah) as a legitimate successor of Muhammad (SAW) and believe that "Imamat" (Appointment of a series of 12 Imams, of whom Ali was the first) succeeded Muhammad (SAW). Sunnis do not believe in Imamat and recognize the 4 initial Khalifas as the noblest humans who ran the state after Muhammad (SAW); Ali (Radi Allah) being the 4th noble Caliph).
  
• Shias believe that successor can not be elected or nominated. The esoteric nature of the whole issue demands Allah's direct appointment of him.

All other differences relate to religious practices, which are generally accepted by each other; and there is enough historical evidence suggesting that Muhammad (SAW) practiced both the ways.