Political Struggle in the Umma After the Death of the Prophet and the Problem of the Origins of the Shiʻi Movement

this article analyzes the religious and political struggle within the Muslim community that unfolded immediately after the death of the Prophet. The events surrounding the election of Abu Bakr as caliph are examined through the prism of the formation of the political and ideological foundations of the Shia movement. The paper presents Sunni and Shi’ite interpretations of the events at Ghadir Khumm. It concludes that the Hashemite clan expected the transfer of political and spiritual leadership of the community to their representative after the death of the Prophet. Based on W. Madelung’s analysis of the Qur’anic text, the religious and ideological foundations of the concept of the special status of the Prophet’s family are revealed. The concept of «ahl al-bayt» is analyzed, and its Sunni and Shi’ite interpretations are presented. The thesis is substantiated that the main reason why Abu Bakr and ʻUmar b. al-Khattab opposed the desire of ʻAli b. Abi Talib to lead the Muslim community after the Prophet’s death was their desire to maintain the existing balance between the Banu Quraysh clans. The actions of Abu Bakr and ʻUmar b. al-Khattab, which prevented ʻAli b. Abi Talib from leading the community, are seen as a struggle against the establishment of a hereditary principle of power transfer.