In this gripping narrative history, Lesley Hazleton tells the
tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni
and Shia branches of Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more
than ever.
Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take
control of the new Islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession
crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political intrigue,
and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war,
pitting its founder's controversial wife Aisha against his
son-in-law Ali, and shattering Muhammad’s ideal of unity.
Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, After
the Prophet explores the volatile intersection of religion and
politics, psychology and culture, and history and current events.
It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the
Shia–Sunni split.