Describe the split in the Muslim community cause by Muhammad's death.
The split in the Muslim community after Muhammad's death occurred primarily due to a disagreement over who should succeed him as the leader of the Muslim community. This division ultimately led to the creation of two main sects within Islam, the Sunni and Shia.
The Sunni Muslims believed that Abu Bakr, one of Muhammad's closest companions and the father of his wife Aisha, should succeed him as the first caliph. They viewed leadership within the Muslim community as something that should be decided through a consensus of the community, rather than through hereditary succession or divine appointment.
On the other hand, the Shia Muslims believed that Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, should have been appointed as the first caliph. They believed that leadership should remain within the Prophet's family, and that Ali was the rightful heir to Muhammad's spiritual authority.
The disagreement over leadership quickly escalated into a political and theological divide, with both Sunni and Shia Muslims forming their own distinct communities with their own beliefs, practices, and interpretations of Islamic teachings. This split has continued to shape the Muslim world to this day, with Sunni and Shia Muslims often facing tensions and conflicts over their differences in beliefs and practices.