Final answer:
The question addresses the succession issues after Prophet Muhammad's death, where Sunni Islam accepted Abu Bakr as the new leader, while Shia Islam believed in Ali as the first divinely appointed Imam. This led to the historical split between Sunni and Shia sects regarding leadership and spiritual authority in Islam.
Step-by-step explanation:
Succession After Muhammad
The question pertains to the succession of the Islamic community's leadership after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Muhammad did not appoint a successor to lead the Muslim community, which led to immediate problems regarding who should take over. In the Islamic tradition, particularly within Sunni Islam, it is believed that any pious man who follows Muhammad's example could lead the community. Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law, was ultimately chosen by the Muslim elders as the first Caliph, representing both spiritual and political authority.
However, the Shia Muslims believe that Ali, the cousin and son-in-law to Muhammad, was the rightful successor. They consider Ali as the first Imam, a divinely guided leader, distinguishing him from the role of a caliph. The Shia tradition holds that the Imam has the ability to introduce new laws and continue to receive divine guidance, unlike in the Sunni tradition where the caliph does not have such spiritual authority.
The divergent views on succession contributed to the long-term split between the two main sects of Islam, Sunni and Shia, each with their own interpretation of leadership and spiritual guidance after Prophet Muhammad's death.