The First Four CaliphsThe First Four Caliphs

Cornell NotesCornell Notes

First Four CaliphsFirst Four Caliphs

Abu BakrAbu Bakr

UmarUmar

UthmanUthman

AliAli

Muhammad’s DeathMuhammad’s Death Died in 632Died in 632 was 63 years oldwas 63 years old Buried at the Mosque of the Buried at the Mosque of the

Prophet in MedinaProphet in Medina

Muhammad’s DeathMuhammad’s Death

Died in 632Died in 632 was 63 years oldwas 63 years old Buried at the Mosque of the Buried at the Mosque of the

Prophet in MedinaProphet in Medina Did not choose a successorDid not choose a successor

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

What happened…What happened… Many people panickedMany people panicked

followers held a meeting to followers held a meeting to decide who would become decide who would become ““caliphcaliph”” CaliphCaliph=successor, leader of Muslim =successor, leader of Muslim

communitycommunity

Abu Bakr was chosenAbu Bakr was chosen But a small group wanted AliBut a small group wanted Ali

ڰابو بكر الصديقڰابو بكر الصديق

Abu Bakr Abu Bakr (A.D 632-634)(A.D 632-634) Close friend, early believer, Close friend, early believer,

Muhammad’s father-in-lawMuhammad’s father-in-law ChallengesChallenges

False prophetsFalse prophets Parts of the empire began to break awayParts of the empire began to break away

SuccessesSuccesses Reunited and expanded the empireReunited and expanded the empire Restored calm to the empireRestored calm to the empire

عمر بن الخطابعمر بن الخطاب

Umar Umar (A.D. 634-644)(A.D. 634-644) Initially resistant to Islam, later became Initially resistant to Islam, later became

a close friend of Muhammad a close friend of Muhammad ChallengesChallenges

Organizing the expanding empireOrganizing the expanding empire used tax money to pay for police, army, used tax money to pay for police, army,

education, Prophet’s family, orphans etc.education, Prophet’s family, orphans etc.

SuccessesSuccesses Continued expansion of the EmpireContinued expansion of the Empire

Arabia, Iraq, western Persia, Syria, Palestine, Arabia, Iraq, western Persia, Syria, Palestine, northern Egypt, and Part of North Africanorthern Egypt, and Part of North Africa

;;عثمانعثمان

Uthman Uthman (A.D. 644-656)(A.D. 644-656) wealthy merchant and Muhammad’s wealthy merchant and Muhammad’s

son-in-lawson-in-law ChallengesChallenges

big gap between rich and poorbig gap between rich and poor favoritism favoritism

SuccessesSuccesses Organized writing of the Qur’anOrganized writing of the Qur’an Continued to expand the EmpireContinued to expand the Empire

killed by a group of angry Egyptian killed by a group of angry Egyptian protestersprotesters

Ali’s Caliphate and the Ali’s Caliphate and the Division Between Sunnis Division Between Sunnis

and Shi’asand Shi’as

Clan RivalriesUmayyad Clan

Hashim Clan

Uthman

Mu’awiya

Ali

Civil War Between MuslimsCivil War Between Muslims Mu’awiya vs. AliMu’awiya vs. Ali negotiators decided both men should negotiators decided both men should

resignresign both continue ruling as caliph both continue ruling as caliph

anywaysanyways Mu’awiya rules over Syria and EgyptMu’awiya rules over Syria and Egypt Ali rules over PersiaAli rules over Persia

Mu’awiya

Ali

Civil War Between MuslimsCivil War Between Muslims Mu’awiya vs. AliMu’awiya vs. Ali negotiators decided both men should resignnegotiators decided both men should resign both continue ruling as caliph anywaysboth continue ruling as caliph anyways

Mu’awiya rules over Syria and EgyptMu’awiya rules over Syria and Egypt Ali rules over PersiaAli rules over Persia

rebels tribe tried to kill both guysrebels tribe tried to kill both guys Mu’awiya gets awayMu’awiya gets away Ali is assassinatedAli is assassinated

A Pivotal Point in Muslim A Pivotal Point in Muslim HistoryHistory

A Pivotal Point in Muslim A Pivotal Point in Muslim HistoryHistory

disagreements over disagreements over caliphs created the split caliphs created the split between Sunni Muslims between Sunni Muslims and Shi’a Muslimsand Shi’a Muslims

SunniSunni any religious any religious

Muslim can be Muslim can be leaderleader

supported rule of supported rule of first four caliphsfirst four caliphs

80% of world 80% of world Muslim populationMuslim population

Shi’aShi’a only relatives of only relatives of

Muhammad can be Muhammad can be leaders or leaders or ImamsImams

only supported rule only supported rule of Aliof Ali

Mostly in IranMostly in Iran