The Development of the Muslim Empire

and the Schism within Islam

The First Four CaliphsMuhammad 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 slows2. Wealthy violating the zakat3. 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

“The Way”

Shiite

“The Party of Ali”

• 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 %

• 85-90% of Muslims

• Muhammad never

chose successor

•Devout Muslims can

rule

•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