It is known as Shi'ism, the Muslim sect that is characterized by being the followers of Ali, who is a relative, like son-in-law and cousin of the first prophet Muhammad. These are identified, with being the defenders of the direct line of blood (from Ali), in the access to the old caliphate. From the time of the great schism, which for reasons of political and religious succession, was in charge of dividing Islam at the end of the 7th century, the Shiites developed a more elaborate, mystical and religious way of interpreting the Qur'an than that of Sunnism, and furthermore, the interpretation is closer to that of Sufism. They have, in turn, a system in charge of coordinating religious and political leadership, certain beliefsand some special ritual practices (relating above all to the cult of the dead), totally different from Islam.
The belief in Shiism begins when Ali, (Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law), was tragically murdered in 661; his successor was his first-born son Hasan, who was in charge of abdicating in favor of Muawiya, on the condition that after his death, the caliphate would rejoin the Ali family. But this was not fulfilled, instead, Muawiya died in the year 679, some time after the son of Ali (Hasan) and who ascended the throne was his son (Al-Husayn ibn Ali), instead of the brother of Hasan as agreed. After that moment, the descendants of Ali were removed from the caliphate, and harshly for many political periods persecuted by justice.
