Question

Why did the Islamic community divide into Sunni and Shia sects?

A Differences over worship practices
B The use of icons in worship
What should or should not be part of sharia law
D Arguments over who the next caliph should be after the death of Muhammad

Answer 1

The Islamic community divided into Sunni and Shia sects due to arguments over the next caliph after the death of Muhammad.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Islamic community divided into Sunni and Shia sects primarily due to arguments over who should be the next caliph after the death of Muhammad. This division occurred in the 7th century CE, and the two sects emerged as separate entities with distinct beliefs and practices.

The main disagreement between Sunni and Shia Muslims centered around the issue of leadership and succession. While Sunnis believed that the caliph should be chosen based on consensus, Shia Muslims believed that the caliph must be a direct descendant of Muhammad.

Over time, these differences in beliefs and interpretations led to the development of separate religious traditions, with each sect forming its own religious institutions and schools of thought.

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