Download The Islamic Leadership Conflict

The Islamic
Leadership Conflict
The Origins of the Conflict
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Muhammad died in 632 C.E.
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Problem: Muhammad had no male heir and did
not designate an heir before he died.
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After Muhammad passed away, Muslims were
not in agreement about who should lead the
Umma.
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Umma refers to “the whole community of
Muslims bound together by ties of religion.”
Think-Pair-Share:
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With your elbow partner(s), respond to the
following question:
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What factors should be considered when
choosing a leader?
Shi’ah
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Represented 15 % of Muslims.
Claimed Muhammad made a final
speech before he died.
Believed that Muhammad said he would
leave his people the Qu’ran and his
family.
Felt that Muhammad’s speech meant that
Ali should lead the community of Islam.
Ali was Muhammad’s cousin and son-inlaw.
Sunni
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Represented 85 % of Muslims.
Believed that Muhammad never
proclaimed how he wanted the Umma
governed.
Considered themselves the mainstream of
Islamic faith and practice.
Tended to support Abu Bakr,
Muhammad’s friend and father-in-law.
What was tradition?
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The Arabian tribal communities would
agree on a shaykh (old or wise man) to
lead the community.
The Caliphs
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Caliph means “to succeed”
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The individuals who succeeded
Muhammad were called Caliphs
Abu Bakr
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Ruled from 632- 634 CE
He was a close friend and adviser of Muhammad
Organized Muhammad’s revelations
Collection of revelations came to be known as the
Qur’an
Involved in wars of apostasy
Arabian tribes began to reject Muslim rule
(particularly in Medina)
Abu Bakr used military force to stop these tribes
from exercising autonomy
Extended Muslim rule to all of Arabia
Umar
Ruled from 634- 644 CE
• Numerous successful military conquests
during his rule
• Respected other religions
• Known as “commander of the faithful”
• Established a shura (committee) to help
pick the next caliph
 Uthman was selected
• Assassinated by a bitter ex-servant
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Uthman
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Ruled from 644- 656 CE
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Accused of favoritism
 Selected
positions
close friends to fill prestigious
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Developed an official version of the
Qur’an
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Assassinated by a band of rebellious
Egyptian soldiers.
Ali
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Ruled from 656- 661 CE
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Married to Fatima, Muhammad’s
daughter
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Moved the caliphate (government) from
Medina to Kufa (part of Iraq)
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Received criticism for failing to punish
Uthman’s killers
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Syria, one of the Islamic provinces,
challenged Ali’s authority
Ali Continued…
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Mu’awiya refused to step down as
governor of Syria like Ali asked
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Ali wanted free migration to all parts of the
Muslim empire but Mu’awiya did not
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Ali and Mu’awiya’s armies met in May 657
CE.
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Mu’awiya convinced Ali to go into
negotiations during battle
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Many believed Ali made a mistake by
agreeing to arbitration
Ali Continued…
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Amr ibn al-As was appointed arbitrator for
Syria and Abu Musa al-Ash’ ari was
appointed arbitrator for Iraq
Arbitration efforts were disastrous for Ali
Amr ibn al-As walked all over Abu Musa
Ali was murdered by a Kharijite
The Kharijites were an extremist group of
Muslims who were angry over Ali’s decision to
go to arbitration
Mu’awiya
Syria was his power base
• Expanded the Muslim sphere of control (all
the way to the gates of Constantinople at
one point)
• Made the caliphate a dynasty when he
chose his son, Yazid, as the next leader
• Some felt he ruined the reputation of caliphs
 Mostly a political leader and not a spiritual
leader
• Shi’ah did not respect his authority but most
of the Sunni did
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