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What caused islam to split into the sunni and shia branches?

User Dethos
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Their difference in political stance. Sunni's believed that anyone who was fit for being a leader could be elected, whereas Shia's believed in traditional ruling.
User Jason Axelrod
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The major split in Islam is that between the majority Sunnis and the minority Shiites. The split goes back to events in the 7th century: After Mohammed’s death in 632, leadership of the Islamic community passed to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, one of Mohammed’s closest companions.
User Ali Ganjbakhsh
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