The Schism of Islam: Changes in Power and Conflict

So! What did that whole Islam thing do? Effect on the people in Arabia? Other religions that were practiced? Who was in charge of Islam? Why was he in charge?

Today! What Happens when You Lose the Head of Your Empire? Muhammad dies in 632 CE Muslims have created an empire over much of the Arabian Peninsula Since Muhammad was the founder, there is no history of how to deal with this loss

If I died, =(, Who would take over the Classroom? Don’t Answer Immediately!!!! And what if Mr. Salatellis was not an option? What if it had to be someone from this classroom? How would you choose that person? What traits would that person have?

Everyone write down a name from the class on a piece of paper Don’t show anyone else! Since I’m dead, I’ll collect the votes and count them to see who the winner is This is anonymous!!!!

Why do you think this person got the most votes? What makes them the best leader or is it teacher? What does this say about the way that leaders are chosen?

The Successor to Muhammad The leaders of Islam were merchant elites, even though Islam was more successful at first with the poor They chose Muhammad’s father-in-law, Abu Bakr, to be the next leader, or Caliph of Islam Others wanted Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law

How Do we choose leaders? If they both had a link to Muhammad, how were they to know who should lead? If both have evidence of the former leader’s favour, how do we know? How do we know who is telling the truth?

The First of the caliphs Abu Bakr only lasted 2 years before dying Old age + Sickness = Dead But! Solidified rule over Arabian peninsula and defeated rebels who refused Caliph rule Because disagreed on who should be in charge

2 nd Caliph: Umar Named by Abu Bakr as his successor Helped establish the Caliphate system with Abu Bakr Was Caliph for 10 years ( CE) Conquered Persian Empire Got assassinated! =(

Uthman: The Military man North African expansion Push eastward through to modern day Pakistan and north through modern day Afghanistan Increased prosperity, but assassinated in 656 CE

Extent of Empire under Caliph Uthman

Finally Ali Gets a Shot! After the assassination, Ali gets to be the next Caliph Ruled from 656 – 661 CE He was the first male to convert to Islam at the age of 12 Is the central figure of the major schism of Islam: Sunni and Shia

But many do not want ali Or a split within a single group that makes it two groups! There was a large group called the Umayyads who had links to the Caliphs before Ali When Ali took over, they were not happy Sought to establish a different leader for Islam

The Schism that Followed Sunni - Umayyads Supported Abu Bakr as 1 st Caliph Some evidence showed that Muhammad wanted Abu Bakr to succeed him Sunnis believe that everyone agreed that Abu Bakr should be the new leader of the Muslim community Shia – Followers of Ali Wanted Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali to become the 1 st Caliph Some evidence showed that Muhammad wanted Ali to succeed him Shias believe that there were people who rejected the selection of Abu Bakr, and maintained belief in Ali the whole time

Umayyad dynasty The 1 st long term dynasty in the Arab Empire Wealthy Arab merchants who were linked with early Caliphs Clan based out of Syria Made Damascus their Capital

And They Lived Happily Ever After....Ya think? What happens when something expands rapidly? How did voting go at the beginning of class? What if there were thousands of you instead of ~25?

Homework!! Booooooo! Write half a page about what you think makes a good leader Why are these things important to leadership? How should leadership pass from one person to another? Does it matter what the person is leading?