After the Prophet - Lesley Hazleton

After the Prophet: the epic story of the Shia-Sunni split. (Doubleday, 2009) 256p.


"In this gripping narrative history, Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing rivalry between the Sunni and Shia branches of Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever. Even as Muhammad lay dying, the battle over who would take control of the new Islamic nation had begun, beginning a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassination, political intrigue, and passionate faith. Soon Islam was embroiled in civil war, pitting its founder's controversial wife Aisha against his son-in-law Ali, and shattering Muhammad's ideal of unity. Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, After the Prophet explores the volatile intersection of religion and politics, psychology and culture, and history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia-Sunni split."(Amazon blurb)

I checked out this book after reading a review.  Because of the timeliness of the topic, I thought it might give some background information for trying to understand the Shia-Sunni split.  If it was dry and boring, I could always return it.  I didn't.

As the blurb states, Ms. Hazleton has written a "gripping narrative".  The book is well researched, compellingly written, and very engrossing.  I can't say it was a book I couldn't put down...but it was a book I enjoyed reading.  And I didn't skip to the end to see what happened.  (Yes, I do that on occasion. Besides I already knew there would be no happy ending.)  The power struggle began even before Muhammad died.  And I found myself musing at the beginning..."If only Muhammad had selected a successor...all this could have been avoided."  But after reading the whole book, I have revised my thinking on that.  This was/is a political power grab and would have happened eventually, regardless (or because) of who was anointed as successor.  The Shia-Sunnit split is a clan struggle cloaked in religious fervor.  Barring a second coming of Muhammad, I don't see a ready reconciliation.  

Lesley Hazleton is a journalist and has written several books on Islam.  I plan on reading them all.