Mauao Man

The Divided Legacy:

How Islam’s First Centuries Created 1,400 Years of Conflict

Subtitle: A Clear Timeline of Schisms, Civil Wars, and Doctrinal Divides in Islam

Introduction: A Religion Born in Unity, Torn by Division

When the Prophet Muhammad died in 632 AD, his followers were left without clear instructions on who should lead the Muslim community. What began as a seemingly united faith quickly fractured, leading to 1,400 years of conflict, division, and bloodshed.

From the early caliphates to the rise of Sunni-Shia division, and the later emergence of countless sects, Islam’s history is marked by both remarkable achievements and violent struggles. This timeline traces the critical events that divided the Muslim world — a legacy that continues to shape the Islamic world to this day.

Timeline: The Schisms and Conflicts That Shaped Islam

632 AD: The Death of Muhammad — The Crisis of Succession

Muhammad dies without leaving clear instructions on his successor.
Immediate dispute arises over leadership.
The Saqifah meeting takes place, where Abu Bakr is chosen as the first caliph (successor).
Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, is overlooked, creating the seeds of future division.
Many of Muhammad’s close family members, including Fatimah (his daughter), are reportedly angered by the decision.

632–634 AD: Caliphate of Abu Bakr (The First Caliph)

Abu Bakr consolidates his rule through the Ridda Wars (Wars of Apostasy), where he suppresses tribes that sought to leave Islam after Muhammad’s death.
The concept of the caliphate (political and religious leadership) is established.
Discontent grows among those who believe Ali should have been the rightful leader.
Abu Bakr nominates Umar ibn al-Khattab as his successor, bypassing any open selection process.

634–644 AD: Caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (The Second Caliph)

Umar expands the Muslim empire dramatically, conquering Persia, Syria, and Egypt.
He establishes the administrative structure of the Muslim state, including the diwan (treasury) and a structured military.
The Islamic calendar (Hijri) is introduced, starting from Muhammad’s migration to Medina in 622 AD.
Umar is assassinated by a Persian slave, Abu Lu'lu'a, in 644 AD.
Umar’s death leaves the selection of the next caliph in the hands of a six-man council (Shura).

644–656 AD: Caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (The Third Caliph)

Uthman, a member of the powerful Umayyad clan, is chosen as the third caliph.
Accusations of nepotism arise as Uthman appoints his relatives to key positions.
The Quran is compiled into a single official version, known as the "Uthmanic Codex," and all other versions are burned.
Uthman’s administration faces growing opposition, especially from Egypt and Iraq.
A rebellion breaks out in 656 AD, and Uthman is assassinated in his home by disgruntled soldiers.

656–661 AD: Caliphate of Ali ibn Abi Talib (The Fourth Caliph)

Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, finally becomes caliph.
His rule is immediately challenged by Aisha (Muhammad’s widow) in the Battle of the Camel (656 AD).
Muawiya, the governor of Syria, also rebels, leading to the Battle of Siffin (657 AD).
Ali agrees to arbitration with Muawiya, which his supporters see as a betrayal.
A radical group called the Kharijites splits from Ali’s camp, seeing him as an illegitimate leader.
In 661 AD, Ali is assassinated by a Kharijite named Abdul-Rahman ibn Muljam while praying in Kufa.
Ali’s assassination plunges the Muslim world into further chaos.

661–750 AD: The Umayyad Caliphate (Sunni Dominance)

Muawiya establishes the Umayyad Dynasty, making Damascus the capital.
The caliphate becomes a hereditary monarchy, breaking with the tradition of elected caliphs.
The Umayyads promote an aristocratic ruling class, favoring Arab Muslims over non-Arab converts (Mawali).
Shia Muslims (supporters of Ali) refuse to accept Umayyad rule, leading to constant unrest.
In 680 AD, Ali’s son Husayn is killed at the Battle of Karbala, becoming a martyr for the Shia cause.
The Battle of Karbala becomes the defining moment of Shia identity, commemorated annually as Ashura.
The Umayyads expand the empire to North Africa, Spain, and Central Asia but are increasingly seen as corrupt and oppressive.

750–1258 AD: The Abbasid Caliphate (Sunni Power with Shia Betrayal)

The Abbasids overthrow the Umayyads, claiming to represent the family of Muhammad’s uncle, Abbas.
Shia Muslims initially support the Abbasid revolt, believing they will be empowered.
But once in power, the Abbasids turn against the Shia.
The capital is moved to Baghdad, which becomes a center of learning, science, and culture (The Islamic Golden Age).
Shia Islam develops its own doctrines, including the concept of the Imamate — the belief in a divinely guided line of Imams.
The Sunni-Shia split becomes permanent, with Shia Islam divided into Twelvers, Ismailis, and Zaidis.

909–1171 AD: The Fatimid Caliphate (Ismaili Shia Empire)

An Ismaili Shia dynasty, the Fatimids, establish a rival caliphate in North Africa and Egypt.
They build the city of Cairo and the famous Al-Azhar University, a major center of Islamic learning.
The Fatimids clash with Sunni Abbasids and the Umayyads in Spain.
Despite their power, the Fatimids are eventually overthrown by Sunni forces.

1501–1736 AD: The Safavid Empire (Twelver Shia Persia)

The Safavids establish a Shia state in Persia (modern Iran), making Twelver Shia Islam the state religion.
They violently suppress Sunni Muslims within their territory.
The Safavid-Ottoman rivalry turns the Sunni-Shia divide into a geopolitical conflict.
Shia Islam in Persia develops a strong clerical hierarchy, led by the Ayatollahs.

1517–1924 AD: The Ottoman Empire (Sunni Caliphate)

The Ottoman Sultans claim the title of caliph, becoming the political and religious leaders of the Sunni Muslim world.
Sunni Islam becomes the state religion, while Shia Islam is persecuted.
The Ottomans fight multiple wars with the Shia Safavids.
After World War I, the Ottoman Empire collapses, and Mustafa Kemal Atatürk abolishes the caliphate in 1924.

Modern Era: Fragmentation and Conflict

Sunni-Shia conflicts continue in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and beyond.
Radical Sunni groups (ISIS, Al-Qaeda) and Shia militias (Hezbollah) further divide the Muslim world.
Attempts to establish a new caliphate by groups like ISIS (2014-2019) fail amid global opposition.

Conclusion: 1,400 Years of Division — No End in Sight

From the moment of Muhammad’s death, the Muslim world has been divided — first over leadership, then over doctrine, and finally over identity. What began as a faith founded on unity has become a mosaic of conflicting beliefs, rival caliphates, and bloody schisms.

Unity or Illusion? Can New Zealand’s Values and Islamic Beliefs Truly Coexist?
Divided Faith: Understanding the Many Faces of Islam in New Zealand
Christchurch: Tragedy, Unity, and the Challenges of Integration
Islam: What It Really Teaches — And What It Means for New Zealand
Islam’s Rise: How a Small Sect Became a Global Religion
Can the West and Islam Coexist in New Zealand?

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.