Conflicted: A History Podcast Prophet's Dilemma: The Sunni Shia Split Part 1
Aisha's Marriage
- Aisha, a 12-year-old girl in 7th-century Arabia, learns she will marry.
- Marriage at this age, while shocking today, was common then.
Mecca's Diverse Beliefs
- Mecca, Aisha's home, was a trade hub with diverse religions and beliefs.
- This mix included paganism, fire worship, Christianity, and Judaism.
Mohammed's Message
- Mohammed, a merchant, claims to be God's messenger, challenging Meccan beliefs.
- Aisha's father, Abu Bakr, converts, increasing Mohammed's credibility.
When the Prophet Muhammed died in 632 AD, it triggered a succession crisis amongst his followers. After the dust settled, two divergent branches of the faith remained – Sunni and Shi’a. It is a deeply misunderstood story that has been unearthed and repackaged in the 21st century to inflame political animus and give superficial labels to complex tensions. In this episode, we will examine the very human, very relatable drama that unfolded against the backdrop of the rise of the Islamic Empire in the 7th century.
THE CAST
Muhammed – The Prophet. A merchant-turned-messenger from God.
Aisha – The Prophet’s favorite wife; Charming, fiery, and envious.
Ali – The Prophet’s cherished son-in-law. Lion of God. Humble, loyal, and honorable to a fault.
Fatima - Daughter of the Prophet and wife to Ali.
Abu Bakr – Aisha’s father, Muhammed’s close friend, and first Caliph.
Hussein – Grandson of the Prophet. Murdered at Karbala. Martyr of the Shi’a faith.
SOURCES:
Hazleton, Lesley. The First Muslim: The Story of Muhammed. 2013.
Hazleton, Lesley. After The Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shi’a-Sunni Split in Islam. 2009.
Louer, Laurence. Sunnis and Shi’a: A Political History. 2020.
Hoyland, Robert G. In God’s Path: The Arab Conquests and the Creation of an Islamic Empire. 2014.
Betts, Robert Brenton. The Sunni-Shi’a Divide. 2013.
Charles Rivers Editors. The History of the Sunni and Shia Split: Understanding the Divisions Within Islam. 2014.
Armstrong, Karen Keishin. MuhammedL A Prophet for Our Time. 2007.
Cole, Juan. Muhammed: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of Empires. 2018.
Safi, Omid. Memories of Muhammed. 2009.
Holland, Tom. The Shadow of the Sword: The Birth of Islam and the Rise of the Global Arab Empire. 2012.
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