The split into sunni and shia divisions of islam can be traced to a) the failure to defeat invading forces from persia. b) a loss of territory to religious rebels in arabia. c) a dispute over the question of muhammad's successor. eliminate d) the reluctance of kings to submit to the will of islam.

The split into Sunni and Shia divisions in Islam can be traced to "a dispute over the question of Muhammad's successor" in the year 632 AD. Immediately following Muhammad's death, one section of Muhammad's follower wanted "Abu Bakr", the father of Muhammad's wife "Aisha" to be the rightful successor of Muhammad, whereas the other sect beleived that Muhammad divinely ordained (or chosen) his cousin and son-in-law "Ali Ibn Abi Talib" to be his successor. The sect in favor of "Abu Bakr" are called as "Sunnis" and the one in favor of "Ali Ibn Abi Talib" were called as "Shias". This conflict of choice led to a lot of violence at that time following Muhammad's death and this rivalry or animosity towards each other continues to this date.

Ibelieve the answer to this question is a