This Is My Faith - Al-fatlawi, Ali - الصفحة ٣٧٧ - What is Shi’ism?
The Companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to call Ali ‘the best of men’ whenever he arrived”.
Now, the reason why Muslims are divided into two sects is due to political reasons as well as worldly greediness.
Anwar: How is that?
Hasan: Let us not speak about it as it brings up negative issues!
Anwar: I think it is all right if we just go through it quickly.
Hasan: We have already proved the preference and precedence of Imam Ali (PBUH) as the next in line to succeed Prophet Mohammad (PBUH); this was during his life, but after the Prophet (PBUH) passed away, some people retraced their steps and we all know the story of Saqifat Bani Sa’edah. Since then, Muslims are practically split into two sects. A sect kept following Imam Ali (PBUH) and another sect showed rejection although they were hiding this at the time of the Prophet (PBUH).
Anwar: What do you mean Muslims are ‘practically’ split into two sects?