The patriarchs of the largest tribes bypassed Ali and chose their leader—the first caliph, Abu Bakr—through tribal consensus. These multitudes, their descendants and converts would call themselves Sunnis, derived from sunnah, the tradition. Those in opposition looked upon the Prophet’s family as the only legitimate heirs, led by his son-in-law, Ali, and his grandchildren, Hassan and Hussein. This branch of Islam came to be known as Shia Ali, partisans of Ali.
