Western Civilization I / Unit 9 WC1 0826 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Sunni and Shia: Ali, Mu'awiya, Karbala
Captions available
The idea
When Uthman was killed about six fifty-six, Ali, Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, became caliph, and Mu'awiya of the Umayyads fought him. Ali was murdered in six sixty-one. Shia hold only Muhammad's line may lead; Sunnis accept any righteous leader.
In practice
Hussein killed at Karbala in six eighty, a witness name.
Where people slip
Shia are about ten percent then and now, the anchor says.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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