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16 June 2011updated 18 Jan 2012 5:27am

Shia Islam: a timeline

The key dates in Shia history, from the death of the prophet Muhammad to the modern day.

By Emanuelle Degli Esposti

632 — Muhammad dies, sparking the ongoing controversy about his rightful successor, or caliph. Sunnis believe that the Prophet nominated his close friend, Abu Bakr — father of Aisha, Muhammad’s youngest wife — while the Shia maintain that he appointed his first cousin and son-in-law, Ali.

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