1. After Muhammad

2. Rise of Caliphs Leader of Muslim world First Caliph was Abu Bakr
Means successor to Muhammad
Died at age of 62
First Caliph was Abu Bakr
He united all Arabs under Islam
Established the Rashidun Caliphate
Consisted of the first 4 Caliphs
Conquered Parts of Byzantine Empire and all of Persia

3. Shiite-Sunni Divide Not everyone agreed Abu Bakr should rule
This divided Muslims into two groups
Still causes conflict today

4. Shiite Believed Muhammad’s son-in- law Ali should lead
Thought his line possessed mystical powers
Descendants called Imams
Mostly found in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yeman

5. Sunni Many felt any good Muslim could lead
Sunnism was a compromise between this group and Shiites
Any pious male from Mohammad’s tribe
Considered political leader more so than religious
90% of Muslims are Sunni
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6. Umayyad Caliphate Powerful Sunnis from Mecca Moved Capital to Damascus
Extended Muslim Rule
Partially due to weakness elsewhere
Also due to great cavalry
Tolerated but taxed non- Muslims
Disdain for Arab supremacy caused decline.

7. Abbasid Dynasty Coalition of Shiite and non Arabs formed
Founded by Abu al-Abbas
Stressed equality among Muslims
Moved capital from Damascus to Baghdad
Persian style Government and Bureaucracy, led by a Vizier
Baghdad become hugely important

8. Spread of Islam

9. Becoming Muslim
Only have to make the profession of faith in front of two or more witnesses.
May take a long time to master
As Islam spread it became more diverse like its followers
Qur'an forbid forced conversion
"La ilaha ill allah, Muhammadur Rasullu llah"

10. Separation of Mosque and State
Muslims quickly gained control of a large empire
Spread of the religion was much slower despite ease of conversion
After the Abbasid Revolution the Islamic Empire broke apart
Conversion increase in speed
People outside the borders converted

11. The process of conversion
Levant conquered in 638
By 1200 (600 years later) still less than 50%
Egypt Conquered in 642
By 700 few Egyptians converted
By 900 about 50%
By 1200 over 90%
Iraq and Iran conquered by 654
Iberia (Spain and Portugal) Conquered in 711
Never have become the majority faith.