Split in Islam

1. Split in Islam

2. Review • Muhammad • The prophet of Islam • Spread Islam in the Arab world • Mecca is the holy city • At first there was opposition, but the people of Mecca soon accepted Muhammad and Islam

3. Medina Compact • Created by Muhammad • Established the first Islamic state • Set up the Islamic government • The people would have complete loyalty to Islam • Said that if there were disputes between Muslim tribes, then they would be settled by Muhammad

4. Caliphs • Muhammad died in 632 • Left the Muslims with no leader • Caliph means “successor” • Whoever was Caliph became the new leader of Islam • The first four caliphs were close relatives and friends of Muhammad

5. Caliphs • 1. Abu Bakr • Ruled from 632-634 • Father in law of Muhammad • 2. Umar • Nicknamed the Great Conqueror • Jihad means “holy struggle” • Umar led the Muslims to conquer Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and modern day Iraq and Iran.

6. Caliphs • 3. Uthman • Led from 644-656 • 4. Ali • Led from 656-661 • Was murdered • Mu’awiyah was the governor of Syria and the leader of the Umayyad tribe • Mu’awiyah was Ali’s biggest rival for power • He became the next caliph

7. Split in the Islamic World • Ali’s son, Husayn, did not accept Mu’awiyah or the Umayyad rule • Husayn believed that he should be caliph, since he was a relative of Muhammad • When Husayn tried to defeat the Umayyad, he was murdered • This led to a split in Islam

8. Sunnis and Shiites • Shiite Muslims • Followed Ali and Husayn • Believe that caliphs should only be descendants of Muhammad • Stress spiritual leadership • Consider suffering and martyrdom as deep devotion to religion

9. Sunnis and Shiites • Sunni Muslims • Literally means “followers of the way” • See the caliph as a political leader (not a religious one) • Anyone can serve in this office (you don’t have to be a descendant of Muhammad) • The majority of Muslims are Sunni (90%)