After the Prophet

In this captivating historical novel, Lesley Hazleton tells the tragic story at the heart of the ongoing Sunni-Shia rivalry in Islam, a rift that dominates the news now more than ever.

Even as the Prophet Muhammad was dying, the struggle over who would take the reins of the new Islamic nation began, triggering a succession crisis marked by power grabs, assassinations, political intrigue, and fervent faith. Islam soon descended into civil war, pitting its founder's controversial wife, Aisha, against his son-in-law, Ali, shattering the ideal of unity that Muhammad had sought.

Combining meticulous research with compelling storytelling, "After the Prophet" explores the volatile intersection of religion and politics, psychology and culture, history and current events. It is an indispensable guide to the depth and power of the Shia-Sunni divide.