Unit 2: Islam- Ch 3:3 Islam After Muhammad's Death p.98-105.
How did the issue of choosing leaders cause a split in Islam?
-In 656 A.D. a group of rebel Umayyads murdered Uthmann, which caused a civil war. -Muhammad's cousin, Ali took over, but he was assassinated, ending his family's rule in 661 A.D. -The Umayyad family seized power and moved the capital to Damascus. They also lived in luxury and abandoned the simple life.
How did the leadership issue divide the Muslim community?
-It caused a split into two branches, the Shiites and Sunnis. -The Shi'a believed the caliph should always be a relative of the Prophet. -The Sunnis, or followers of the Sunnah, accepted the caliphs, as long as they follow Muhammad's example
Who were the leaders who spread Islam after Muhammad's death?
-Muhammad died in 632 A.D. but did not name a successor beforehand. -His father-in-law, Abu Bakr was elected as his successor, or "Caliph." -Not everyone followed him. -He used military force to reunite the Muslims and expanded north into what is now Iraq and Syria. He died in 634 A.D.
Why were the caliphs tolerant of the people they conquered?
-The Qur'an did not allow Muslims to force people to convert to Islam. -"People of the Book" such as Jews and Christians had to pay a poll tax, but did not have to serve military duties. Instead, they were able to work as scholars and officials, BUT they were NOT allowed to convert others.
What difficulties did Muslims face after Muhammad's death?
-They had difficulty choosing a leader. -Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali had all known Muhammad and used the Qur'an to guide their actions. So they were called "Rightly Guided" caliphs or a caliphate.
How did the caliphs who expanded the Muslim empire treat those they conquered?
-Umar's armies conquered Syria, lower Egypt, and Persia. from 634 -656 A.D. -Uthman and Ali conquered part of the Byzantine empire and Persian empires. Ali ruled form 656 - 661 A.D. -Through both conquest and treaties, they expanded the Muslim empire nearly four times as much, including Southwest Asia and North Africa. -The Muslims allowed the conquered people to keep their own religions if they wished to. So there was much blending of cultures. People who converted had hope, equality, and did not have to pay certain taxes.
Shi'a
Branch of Islam believing that God vests leadership of the community in a descendant of Muhammad's son-in-law Ali. Mainly found in Iran and a small part of Iraq. It is the state religion of Iran. A member of this group is called a Shi'ite.
Sunni
a Muslim group that accepts only the descendants of the Umayyads as the true rulers of Islam
Caliph
successor to Muhammad as political and religious leader of the Muslims
