One of two branches

· based in part on the Qur'an

· the largest of all of the denominations of Islam

· holds that the first four caliphs were Muhammed's rightful successors

These details describe which denomination of Islam?

A) Ahmadiyya

B) Shi'a

C) Sufism

D) Sunni

Sunni Muslim. Shi'a Muslim two branches describe which denomination of Islam

D) Sunni

Explanation:

Sunnis are the majority Muslim group in the Islamic world community. Their name comes from the fact that, in addition to the Qur'an, they are devotees of the Sunna, a collection of sayings and facts attributed to the Prophet Muhammad. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD. C, his followers began to question who would be his successor. The Sunnis, who represent 85% of Muslims, believe that Muhammad's succession corresponds to an Arab member of the Quraish tribe, from which Muhammad came.

The first three caliphs were Abu-Bakr, Omar, and Uthman; After the murder of the latter, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad (Ali married Fatima, daughter of Muhammad), in addition to the father of his grandchildren, claimed his inheritance rights and was elected fourth caliph (656-661), although not unanimously, and he encountered a violent opposition led by Mu'awiya, a member of the Umayyad clan and governor of Syria. Both groups fought in the battle of Siffin in 657, where the supporters of 'Allah were defeated, leaving Mu'awiya as a new caliph. Ali was killed in 661 and his supporters recognized his son Hussein as his successor, who subsequently died in the battle of Kerbala (680). This conflict gave rise to the two most important groups within Islam: the Sunnis and the Shiites. The third group in importance is that of the kharijite.