WI Mohammed's sons lived to adulthood

Mohammed had sons OTL who died in childhood. If one at least lived to adulthood, I'd guess that would make them natural successor on Mohammed's death.

That introduces an interesting element into Islam- would it then, very early on, develop an established tradition of a dynasty with divine right to rule Muslims? How would that effect Islam and the world?
 
Mohammed had sons OTL who died in childhood. If one at least lived to adulthood, I'd guess that would make them natural successor on Mohammed's death.

That introduces an interesting element into Islam- would it then, very early on, develop an established tradition of a dynasty with divine right to rule Muslims? How would that effect Islam and the world?
Well, from what I know there were two grandsons of Mohammed from Ali and Mohammed's favorite daughter. If I remember correctly they were killed in battle by the Muslim Arabs.
It seems at that time the Arabs did not have too much piety and respect for the prophet's flesh and blood...
 
Mohammed had sons OTL who died in childhood. If one at least lived to adulthood, I'd guess that would make them natural successor on Mohammed's death.

That introduces an interesting element into Islam- would it then, very early on, develop an established tradition of a dynasty with divine right to rule Muslims? How would that effect Islam and the world?

It tried that, sort of. The line of Imams. Though that was female-line descent.

With a direct male-line descendant of the Prophet, the alt-Shia might have an easier time.

Though if the male line dies out, a collapse would be even worse than the collapse of the Imams.
 
The idea of Prophethood as a hereditary prerogative of the Mohammedids would have been culturally and religiously ingrained quite early on, likely preventing the Shia/Sunni split and permitting the Muslim nation to pay greater attention to external matters, including conquest.
 
The split becomes 'Sons of Muhammad' vs Ali and his followers? A different version of the Sunni-Shiah split. It may boil down to who has support from elders and generals like Khalid al Walid, not to mention how old these sons of Muhammad are (fully adult? Still infants? If they're the sons of a young wife like Aishah the split with Ali's party will be similar to OTL Sunni-Shiah split).

A dynastic united Islam may have more unity in the early parts, but further down the line I can see further splits still happening, ambitious folks like Muawiyah will still be about, especially if they want to be regent for infant heirs.
 
I wouldn't expect Ali to be terribly important in this context. Still honored (he was the second convert after Khadijah as I recall), but even if he still marries Fatima, I would expect she'll be overshadowed by her living brothers. Ali does not strike me as an especially ambitipus man; he was the fourth caliph and agreed to arbitration over that after civil war. So I suspect any crises after Muhammad's death will be either among his sons or between the sons and Umar. On the other hand, if they are young, I could see Umar positioning himself as a regent. He was a very politically savvy man and whatever happens I see him coming up positively.
 
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