2. Issue of Muhammad’s Successor After Muhammad died, there was a question on who should be the leader. Abu-Bakr was elected the first Caliph in 632 CE: “Successor”. Abu-Bakr and the next three Caliphs (Umar, Uthman, Ali) became known as the “Four Rightly Guided Caliphs”.

3. Some people start abandoning Islam after Muhammad’s death. Abu-Bakr uses military force to reassert authority of Muhammad’s successors in the Muslim community. Control of Arabia! Umar: Conquer’s Syria and Egypt! Uthman and Ali: Expand to as far as Atlantic ocean in West and Indus River in the East!

5. Reasons for Success  Inspiration from Faith: Saw victories as sign of Allah’s support.  Well disciplined army and expertly commanded.  Success: Due to other’s empires’ (Byzantine and Persian) weakness.  Unpopularity of Byzantium and Persia: Persecuted people welcomed invaders.

6. The Fourth Caliph, Ali is assassinated. Right to rule is challenged by Muawiya, governor of Syria. Umayyad family comes to power. Capital moves from Mecca to Damascus. Umayyad live life of wealth and ceremony and abandon simple life.

7. Division within Islam: I.Shi’a: Caliph needs to be relative of Muhammad (Against Umayyad) II.Sunni: means “Followers of Muhammad’s example” (Do not actively resist Umayyad) III.Sufi: Life of poverty, meditation, and devotion to spiritual life.

8. In 750 CE: Abbasids come to power. They ruthlessly murder the family of the Umayyads = flee to Spain. Capital from Damascus to Baghdad = center of trade routes (sakk = check). Beginning of Golden Age of Islam!