After the Prophet : The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam

SUMMARY: Narrative history at its most compelling, "After the Prophet" relates the dramatic tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between Shia and Sunni Islam. Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over his successor had begun. Pitting the family of his favorite wife, the controversial Aisha, against supporters of his son-in-law, the philosopher-warrior Ali, the struggle would reach its breaking point fifty years later in Iraq, when soldiers of the first Sunni dynasty massacred seventy-two warriors led by Muhammad's grandson Hussein at Karbala. Hussein's agonizing ordeal at Karbala was soon to become the Passion story at the core of Shia Islam. Hazleton's vivid, gripping prose provides extraordinary insight into the origins of the world's most volatile blend of politics and religion. Balancing past and present, she shows how these seventh-century events are as alive in Middle Eastern hearts and minds today as though they had just happened, shaping modern headlines from Iran's Islamic Revolution to the civil war in Iraq. "After the Prophet" is narrative nonfiction at its finest, and an emotional and political revelation for Western readers. General,Biography & Autobiography,History,Medieval,Religion,Religious,History - General History,Islam,Religion - World Religions,Rituals & Practice,Middle East,Islam - History,Aishah,Islamic History,Sh墨驶ah,Relations,Islam - Sunni,Sunnites,Caliphate,Sh鈥爄酶ah,Caliphate - History,Islam - Shi'a,Muhammad - Death and burial,Ali ibn Abi Talib,Sunni,Sunnites - Relations - Shiah,Shiah - Relations - Sunnites,Shi'a,Shiah,Islamic Theology,Islam - Rituals & Practice Narrative history at its most compelling, After the Prophet relates the dramatic tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between Shia and Sunni Islam.Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over his successor had begun. Pitting the family of his favorite wife, the controversial Aisha, against supporters of his son-in-law, the philosopher-warrior Ali, the struggle would reach its breaking point fifty years later in Iraq, when soldiers of the first Sunni dynasty massacred seventy-two warriors led by Muhammad's grandson Hussein at Karbala. Hussein's agonizing ordeal at Karbala was soon to become the Passion story at the core of Shia Islam.Hazleton's vivid, gripping prose provides extraordinary insight into the origins of the world's most volatile blend of politics and religion. Balancing past and present, she shows how these seventh-century events are as alive in Middle Eastern hearts and minds today as though they had just happened, shaping modern headlines from Iran's Islamic Revolution to the civil war in Iraq. After the Prophet is narrative nonfiction at its finest, and an emotional and political revelation for Western readers.From the Hardcover edition. 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. Balancing Past And Present, Hazelton Shows How 7th-century Events Are Alive In Middle Eastern Hearts And Minds Today As Though They Had Just Happened, Shaping Modern Headlines From Iran's Islamic Revolution To The Civil War In Iraq. Muhammad -- Ali -- Hussein. Lesley Hazleton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.