After The Prophet

After The Prophet - Lesley Hazleton

Lesley Hazleton presents a vivid and accessible account of the political and spiritual struggle that followed the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The book focuses on the key events that led to the schism between the two major branches of Islam — the Sunnis and the Shias.

Hazleton retells the early Islamic history through the personal and often tragic stories of central figures such as:

• Ali ibn Abi Talib – the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, revered by Shia Muslims.

• Aisha – the Prophet’s wife, who played a significant role in the political turmoil after his death.

• Muawiya and Yazid – Umayyad leaders involved in the rise of the Sunni caliphate.

• Husayn ibn Ali – whose martyrdom at Karbala is a defining moment for Shia identity.

Written in an almost novelistic style, Hazleton captures the drama, betrayal, and emotional weight of the power struggles, wars, and theological debates that continue to shape Muslim identity and geopolitics today.