Download H - The Schism within Islam

The Development of the
Muslim Empire
and the
Schism within Islam
The First Four Caliphs
Muhammad died in 632 = Elders and leaders within the
Islamic community chose the following men to be
caliph (successor of the prophet)
•
•
•
•
Abu Bakr (r. 632-634)
Umar (r. 634-644)
Uthman (r. 644-656)
Ali (r. 656-661)
* All four are from Quraysh tribe
Abu Bakr (r. 632-634)
Faced 2 major problems
1. Loss of loyalty with Muhammad’s death
2. Appearance of false prophets
Despite problems worked to expand empire
Umar (r. 634-644)
• Continued to add to the Islamic territory
• Administered Islamic State by defining
territory between lands where Islam was
practiced dar al-Islam and land from which
attacks were launched dar al-Harb
Uthman (r. 644-656)
The first 6 years of reign = peaceful and
prosperous but he came to face problems:
1. Expansion slows
2. Wealthy violating the zakat
3. Accused of nepotism
Killed in 656 by a mob
Ali (r. 656-661)
• Strong support from many Muslims
• Also faced resistance – especially from Syrian
Gov. Muawiya (from the Umayyad Clan),
Uthman’s cousin
• Results in Battle
of Siffin
Division of the Umma (Islamic Community)
• 2 Caliphs – Muawiya
reigns over Syria &
Egypt
• Ali over Saudi Arabia
and other areas
• 661 = attempts on both
of their lives; Ali is
killed, Muawiya not =
Begins the reign of the
Umayyads from
Damascus, Syria
The Umayyads vs. Muhammad’s Family
• Muawiya dies in 680 = son Yezid became
successor
• Opposition from Ali and Fatima’s son Hussain
= Battle
• Result = schism w/in Islam = Sunnis and
Shiites
Sunni
Shiite
“The Way”
• 85-90% of Muslims
• Muhammad never
chose successor
•Devout Muslims can
rule
“The Party of Ali”
•Daily practices are similar
•Both share similar
understanding of Islamic
beliefs: concepts of piety,
striving for goodness and
social justice
•Both live by Five Pillars
• Caliph = descendent of
Muhammad
•Ali was chosen as
successor
•Hussain is a martyr
• Only an imam can
interpret the Quran
•Iran, Iraq, and
Lebanon = largest %