13 – Sunni Islam

The Sunni story begins in 632, when Muhammad died without a clear heir. This was particularly important because, by this time, Muhammad wasn’t just the leader of his small group of Muslims. Pretty much the entire Arabian Peninsula had flocked to his banner, united under Muhammad’s religion. Obviously, this was no small feat, but without Muhammad, would the tribes remain united? Some thought the new leader should obviously be Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law and cousin, a great warrior and a surefire leader who would be respected. But the Sunnis has other ideas, shying away from what they thought could turn into a hereditary monarchy. The Sunnis won out, choosing the bland and boring Abu Bakr as the new leader of the faithful. He was Muhammad’s best friend, not his blood relative.