Ali ibn Abi Talib

On 18th June 656, Ali ibn Abi Talib finally became caliph - the post he had arguably been born for, after watching three others take it before him. He inherited a throne built on his predecessor's corpse. The First Fitna followed within months.

On 26 January 661, Ali ibn Abi Talib was struck down during morning prayer by a former follower who couldn't forgive him for agreeing to negotiate. He was the last Rashidun caliph and the first Shia imam. His death split Islam in two.