What divided the Muslim Empire in 973?

In 973, the Muslim Empire was divided primarily due to political fragmentation and the rise of regional powers. The establishment of the Buyid dynasty in Persia and the Fatimid Caliphate in North Africa showcased the decline of centralized authority in the Abbasid Caliphate. Additionally, sectarian divisions, particularly between Sunni and Shia Islam, further exacerbated the fragmentation, leading to a diverse and divided political landscape within the empire.