Islam Was Founded By The Prophet Mohammed After His Death

Islam Was Founded By The Prophet Mohammed After His Death In 632 A S

Islam was founded by the prophet Mohammed. After his death in 632, a split occurred in Islam, creating two groups who became known as Shi’ites and Sunnis. Assess the importance of the split in Islam to both the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq and hypothesize one way in which the analysis of the differences between the Shi’ites and Sunnis and the information that it yields is useful relative to the current situation in Iraq. Provide a rationale for your response. The militant version of Islam first began in the 11th century and has continued to develop in modern times.

Determine whether or not you believe that the three individuals most recognized as founding this militant philosophy influenced Osama bin Laden’s decisions and/or his role in terrorism. Provide support for your rationale.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The split between Shi’ites and Sunnis, originating shortly after Prophet Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, is one of the most significant internal divisions within Islam. It has had profound implications not only religiously but also politically, culturally, and militarily, especially in contemporary conflicts such as the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq. Understanding the origins and nuances of this division is instrumental in comprehending the dynamics of modern Islamic extremism and the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. This paper critically examines the importance of the Sunni-Shi’ite split concerning these conflicts, hypothesizes the utility of understanding this division in current Iraq, and evaluates the influence of early militant ideologues on Osama bin Laden’s terrorism.

The Significance of the Sunni-Shi’ite Split in Modern Conflicts

The Sunni-Shi’ite schism originated over a disagreement regarding the rightful successor to Prophet Muhammad, with Sunnis supporting elected caliphs and Shi’ites advocating for Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, as the rightful leader. Over centuries, this religious divergence translated into political and social discrepancies, often leading to sectarian violence. These divisions are particularly pronounced in Iraq, where the majority Shi’ite population has often clashed with the Sunni minority, especially after the 2003 US-led invasion. This sectarian divide has become a fertile ground for insurgency, fuel radicalization, and provide ideological justification for militant groups.

In the context of the war on terrorism, the split's importance is notable. For example, groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS have exploited sectarian differences to recruit and justify violence. ISIS, in particular, fiercely opposes Shi’ites, whom it considers heretics, deliberately targeting Shi’ite communities in Iraq and Syria. The sectarian dimension complicates efforts to stabilize Iraq, as religious identities are intertwined with political allegiances and regional rivalries, notably between Iran (predominantly Shi’ite) and Saudi Arabia (predominantly Sunni).

The Role of Sectarian Knowledge in Current Iraq

Analyzing sectarian differences between Shi’ites and Sunnis is critically important for understanding and addressing the ongoing conflict in Iraq. Recognizing the historical grievances, political disenfranchisement, and religious narratives that underpin sectarian identity helps craft more effective reconciliation strategies. For example, fostering inclusive governance that balances sectarian interests can reduce violence. Moreover, understanding the ideological distinctions assists military and intelligence agencies in countering sectarian extremist propaganda, which often feeds hostility.

In practical terms, policymakers armed with this knowledge can design targeted diplomacy and security measures. For instance, pluralistic community initiatives and religious dialogue programs can help ease sectarian tensions, thus undermining the ideological foundations of militant groups. Consequently, understanding the sectarian division provides a crucial informational foundation for conflict resolution and stabilization efforts, making it a vital component of Iraq’s ongoing political and military strategy.

Militant Islam and Its Historical Roots

The development of militant Islam traces back to various socio-political contexts, with notable philosophic influences emerging in the 11th century with the rise of groups like the Fatimid and Seljuk dynasties, and later, the rise of Islamic fundamentalist movements in the 20th century. These radical ideologies often drew upon early Islamic jurisprudence, combined with modern political grievances, to justify violence and terrorism.

The question of whether three seminal figures in militant Islamic history influenced Osama bin Laden’s decisions is compelling. Figures such as Sayyid Qutb, Abu Musaab al-Zarqawi, and Abdullah Azzam played crucial roles in shaping modern jihadist ideology. Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian Islamist thinker, argued for jihad as a means to re-establish true Islamic principles and visited the idea that rulers who deviated from Islamic law should be overthrown, an idea that resonated with bin Laden’s worldview.

Similarly, Abu Musaab al-Zarqawi emphasized sectarian violence, particularly targeting Shi’ites, which aligned with ISIS’s brutal tactics. Abdullah Azzam, a Palestinian scholar, promoted the concept of global jihad and militant activism. Bin Laden’s ideological development was heavily influenced by these figures’ writings and teachings, which provided a framework for his operational decisions and terror strategy. Therefore, these influential thinkers significantly impacted the militant philosophy that Osama bin Laden adopted.

Conclusion

The division between Shi’ites and Sunnis remains a fundamental fault line within Islam that has profound implications for regional stability, counter-terrorism efforts, and geopolitical conflicts. Recognizing and understanding this split enables more effective strategies in addressing sectarian violence, especially within the complex environment of Iraq. Furthermore, historical figures who advocated militant and jihadist ideology contributed significantly to shaping Osama bin Laden’s worldview, illustrating the continuum of radical thought within Islamic history. Addressing the roots of these ideological influences and sectarian divisions is essential for fostering peace and countering terrorism in the modern era.

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