Sunnis And Shia A Political History Laurence Lour Ethan Rundell by Laurence Louër; Ethan Rundell 9780691199641, 0691199647 instant download after payment.

This is a translation of a recent French-language book (published by Le Seuil) that recounts the global political history of the conflict between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims from the very beginning of their schism within the Islamic tradition to the contemporary period of sectarian conflict across the Muslim world.

A compelling history of the ancient schism that continues to divide the Islamic world

When Mohammed died in 632 without a male heir, Sunnis contended that the choice of a successor should fall to his closest companions, but Shi'a believed that God had inspired the Prophet to appoint his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as leader. So began a schism that is nearly as old as Islam itself. Laurence Louër tells the story of this centuries-old rivalry, taking readers from the last days of Mohammed to the political and doctrinal clashes of Sunnis and Shi'a today.

In a sweeping historical narrative spanning the Islamic world, Louër shows how the Sunni-Shi'a divide was never just a dispute over succession—at issue are questions about the very nature of Islamic political authority. She challenges the widespread perception of Sunnis and Shi'a as bitter enemies who are perpetually at war with each other, demonstrating how they have coexisted peacefully at various periods throughout the history of Islam. Louër traces how sectarian tensions have been enflamed or calmed depending on the political contingencies of the moment, whether to consolidate the rule of elites, assert clerical control over the state, or defy the powers that be.

Timely and provocative, Sunnis and Shi'a provides needed perspective on the historical roots of today's conflicts and reveals how both branches of Islam have influenced and emulated each other in unexpected ways. This compelling and accessible book also examines the diverse regional contexts of the Sunni-Shi'a divide, examining how it has shaped societies and politics in countries such as Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon.