The First Four Caliphs

1. The First Four Caliphs Cornell Notes

2. First Four Caliphs Abu Bakr Umar Uthman Ali

5. Muhammad’s Death • Died in 632 • was 63 years old • Buried at the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina

7. Muhammad’s Death • Died in 632 • was 63 years old • Buried at the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina • Did not choose a successor

8. What happened as a result of Muhammad not choosing a successor?

9. 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

10. 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

12. 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

13. Uthman (A.D. 644-656) • wealthy merchant and Muhammad’s son-in-law • Challenges • big gap between rich and poor • favoritism • Successes • Organized writing of the Qur’an • Continued to expand the Empire • killed by a group of angry Egyptian protesters

14. Ali’s Caliphate and the Division Between Sunnis and Shi’as

15. Clan Rivalries Umayyad Clan Uthman Mu’awiya Hashim Clan Ali

16. 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

17. Ali Mu’awiya

18. 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

19. A Pivotal Point in Muslim History disagreements over caliphs created the split between Sunni Muslims and Shi’a Muslims

20. 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