Download The First Four Caliphs

The First Four
Caliphs
Cornell Notes
First Four Caliphs
Abu Bakr
Umar
Uthman
Ali
MuhaMMad’s death
 Died
in 632
 was 63 years old
 Buried at the Mosque of the
Prophet in Medina
Muhammad’s Death
 Died
in 632
 was 63 years old
 Buried at the Mosque of the
Prophet in Medina
 Did not choose a successor
What happened as a
result of Muhammad not
choosing a successor?
What happened…
 Many
people panicked
 followers held a meeting to decide
who would become “caliph”

Caliph=successor, leader of Muslim community
 Abu

Bakr was chosen
But a small group wanted Ali
Abu Bakr (A.D 632-634)


Close friend, early believer, Muhammad’s
father-in-law
Challenges



False prophets
Parts of the empire began to break away
Successes


Reunited and expanded the empire
Restored calm to the empire
Umar (A.D. 634-644)


Initially resistant to Islam, later became a
close friend of Muhammad
Challenges

Organizing the expanding empire


used tax money to pay for police, army, education,
Prophet’s family, orphans etc.
Successes

Continued expansion of the Empire

Arabia, Iraq, western Persia, Syria, Palestine, northern
Egypt, and Part of North Africa
Uthman


wealthy merchant and Muhammad’s son-inlaw
Challenges



big gap between rich and poor
favoritism
Successes



(A.D. 644-656)
Organized writing of the Qur’an
Continued to expand the Empire
killed by a group of angry Egyptian
protesters
Ali’s Caliphate and the Division
Between Sunnis and Shi’as
Clan Rivalries
Umayyad Clan
Uthman
Mu’awiya
Hashim Clan
Ali
Civil War Between Muslims



Mu’awiya vs. Ali
negotiators decided both men should
resign
both continue ruling as caliph anyways


Mu’awiya rules over Syria and Egypt
Ali rules over Persia
Ali
Mu’awiya
Civil War Between Muslims



Mu’awiya vs. Ali
negotiators decided both men should resign
both continue ruling as caliph anyways



Mu’awiya rules over Syria and Egypt
Ali rules over Persia
rebels tribe tried to kill both guys


Mu’awiya gets away
Ali is assassinated
A Pivotal Point in Muslim History
A Pivotal Point in Muslim History
disagreements over caliphs
created the split between
Sunni Muslims and Shi’a
Muslims
Sunni



any religious Muslim
can be leader
supported rule of first
four caliphs
80% of world Muslim
population
Shi’a



only relatives of
Muhammad can be
leaders or Imams
only supported rule of
Ali
Mostly in Iran