As-Salāmu `Alaykum (السلام عليكم):
The part of Islamic history that is always avoided. Tribalism at its best. The assassinations, etc. A horrible time in Islamic history.
Those who follow the Sunna and those who follow the Ahl al-Bayt (People of the House) have factions within that promote negative and unflattering history and have differing views of who should have succeeded the Prophet Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAWS) after his death.
THE SCHISM
There are differing interpretations over the scope and importance of Ahl al-Bayt.
In those who observe the Sunna view the household of Nabi Muhammad (SAWS) includes his wives, his daughter, Fatimah, her three children, Hassan, Husayn, and Zaynab, as well as his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. Other interpretations include Muhammad's blood relatives, such as the Banu Hashim or the Banu Muttalib.
Many who observe the Sunna believe every Muslim has the obligation to love the Ahl al-Bayt.
In Twelver and Ismaili (Shia), view that the Ahl al-Bayt are central to Islam and they believe are the true successors of Nabi Muhammad (SAWS). The Shi'a definition of the phrase includes Muhammad, Fatimah, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn (known collectively as the Ahl al-Kisa (people of the mantle) and the Imams, The Twelve Imams are considered descendants of Fatimah or families of the Ulama (Islamic clergy).
Most, but not all Shi'a believe that these Imams to be the divinely chosen leaders of the Muslim Community.
This is based on the hadith, "People of the Cloak", a hadith which many who observe the Sunna acknowledge in Sahih Muslim.
Those who observe the Sunna acknowledge only Allah can be worshipped and acknowledged as divine.
It really frustrates me that threads are created to highlight division or controversy.
It doesn't require a PhD to research the differences and why some views are considered heretical by some. Just a suggestion, do your research before creating these threads.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 84, Number 69:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "The Hour will not be established till two (huge) groups fight against each other, their claim being one and the same."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 9, Book 84, Number 70:
Narrated 'Abdullah:
When the Verse:--'Those who believe and did not confuse their belief with wrong (worshipping others besides Allah).' (6.82) was revealed, it was hard on the companions of the Prophet and they said, "Who among us has not wronged (oppressed) himself?" Allah's Apostle said, "The meaning of the Verse is not as you think, but it is as Luqman said to his son, 'O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah, Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great wrong indeed.'" (31.13)
Sahih Bukhari Book 039, Number 6752:
Jabir reported: I heard Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: Verily, the Satan has lost all hopes that the worshippers would ever worship (him) in the peninsula of Arabia, but he (is hopeful) that he would sow the seed of dissension amongst them.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 805:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "The Day of (Judgment) will not be established till there is a war between two groups whose claims (or religion) will be the same."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 823:
Narrated Abu Bakra:
Once the Prophet brought out Al-Hasan and took him up the pulpit along with him and said, "This son of mine is a Saiyid (i.e. chief) and I hope that Allah will help him bring about reconciliation between two Muslim groups."
(Reference:
http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/c...i/056.sbt.html)