Sects of Islam
After Mohammed’s death in 632, leadership of the Islamic community passed down to Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, who was one of Mohammed’s closest companions. Some in the Muslim community felt that this succession was not legitimate, and that the title of caliph really belonged to Ali ibn Abi Talib. Ali claimed this because he was Mohammed’s cousin, and his adopted son. He was also Mohammed's first convert at the age of 9, and husband of his daughter Fatima. Both sides believe that Mohammed specifically chose the person that they wanted. Eventually, supporters of Abu became the Sunnis, those of ibn Ali the Shi'ites.