Discuss the differences between Sunni and Shia perceptions of the imamate

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Discuss the differences between Sunni and Shia perceptions of the imamate

The Sunni-Shia split that was first made during the time of the caliphs remains until this day a major split where many people are still dying because of it.

The shias emerged after the death of the son of Ali, Husain. After the death of Muawiya, his son succeeded him, this angered the people still loyal to Ali, and Husain was elected as leader by the people of Kufa. Husain was persuaded to come to Kufa where he will find his supporters there and they will fight against Yazid’s army. Ali’s supporters were “intimidated by the local Umayyad governor” and withdrew their support of Husain. At Kerbela, Husain and the people that came with him from Medina were massacred by the army. “Husain refused to surrender, convinced that the sight of the prophet’s family on the march in quest for true Islamic values would remind the Ummah of its prime duty”. The death of Husain was horrific and there are different interpretations as to what was done to his body, “The grandson of the prophet fell dead with many wounds, and the head was sent to Yazid in Damascus”.  

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This day is lamented by all the Muslims, but it is especially remembered by the supporters of Ali, who are now called, Shia.

Shia believe that the Imams that are assigned, are infallible, the imam has a higher position than the caliph. He is seen to have some divine attribute since he is from the descendants of the prophet and Ali. Ali is the first Imam, he is seen “as sinless and infallible by his partisans”, and his descendants are the Imams.

“Unlike the Sunnite Caliph, the Shiite Imam had inherited from Muhammad not only his temporal sovereignty ...

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