Islam and the branches

Muhammad O Born around 570 AD O 610 – Gabriel enters Muhammad’s life O 613 – Preaches publicly in Mecca – faced with hostility. People still believe in many gods. O 622 – Decides to leave Mecca for Medina (Hijrah) O 633 – returns to Mecca with 10,000 followers O 635 – Muhammad dies

O Many pledged loyalty to Muhammad and many converted O Unfortunately – he did not name a successor to take over! O Didn’t teach his followers how to chose one O Relying on ancient custom – Abu Bakr became first caliph – successor or deputy

3 more after Abu O Umar, Uthman and Ali O All knew Muhammad O Used the Quran to guide them! O Known as “rightly guided” caliphs O Abu promised to uphold what Muhammad stood for

Jihad O Many denounced Islam now O Abu invoked Jihad – “strive” – armed struggle against unbelievers O All four caliphs expanded Muslim territory

O People never forced to convert – However, Christians and Jews were not allowed to spread religion O Uthman – murdered O Ali – right to rule challenged also killed

Umayyad's O Elective system of choosing a caliph died too! O Umayyad's – moved capital city to Damascus O Gave up on how caliphs ran gov’t – focused themselves on money and greed O Many people divided now Foot soldier

Sunni-Shi’a Split O Most accepted their rule – minority resisted O Those who resisted believed whoever would be next caliph HAD to be a descendent of Muhammad! O Called Shi’a or Shi’ites O Those who followed Umayyad - Sunni

Main differences SunniShi’a The first 4 caliphs were rightlyBelieve Ali (Muhammad's son-in- guidedlaw) should have succeeded Muslim Rulers should followAll Muslim rulers should be Muhammad’s examplesdescendants of Muhammad Claim Shi’a have a distortedClaim Sunni have distorted meaning meaning of the Qur’anof Qur’an