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After the Prophet

The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam

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After the Prophet

Written by: Lesley Hazleton
Narrated by: Lesley Hazleton
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About this listen

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, sparking 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 intersections 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.

©2009 Lesley Hazleton (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Islam Middle East Biography Iran Royalty Civil War War
All stars
Most relevant
The stories in this book should be taken with a grain of salt. The writer has opted to present certain historical facts with certainty, when in reality there is a high degree of uncertainty in those stories.
Never the less, the book is brilliantly written, and in certain cases the writer acknowledges the uncertainty of events. The narration is what makes this book very special. I will recommend it to anyone interested in Middle Eastern and early Islamic history.

Biased rhetoric but a great story and narration

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I highly recommend this volume. My appreciation for the Prophet increased dramatically. At the same time, I became very sorrowful about the Shia/Sunni split that was already deeply entrenched by the time he reached his early death-bed. His inability to address the divide at that time, though he seemed to know that he should, speaks not so much to his lack of power but to the depth of his love. He grasped that any attempt to "fix" anything while dying might have made the incipient conflicts even worse. Nevertheless, the net result has been a long history of great pathos and grief, all stemming from a life which was genuinely inspiring and authentic. I remember how my dad used to wander around the house chanting "If only, if only, if only..." That is how one feels after absorbing this book and this painful history.

Admiration and grief grow mixed together

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Not for those who want to hear only good things about islamic history. So people biased towards islam wont like it

Fantastic

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Listen to this as a fiction book, not an accurate narration of historical events. It presents a very romanticized view of the early history of Islam and for every disputed event Lesley seems to choose the most favorable version of the story and ignores evidence to the contrary. Even Muslim preachers will probably tell you a more objective account of the events.

Nice story

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made to chapter 3 and regretted to have wasted a credit on this book.

this book is biased, and it's from an untrusted person with an untrusted opinion.

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