The Schism of Islam: Changes in Power and Conflict.

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?

Under Muhammad: 610-632

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!!!!

Let’s Have a Vote!

• 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?

Who Won??

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

Islamic Empire Under Abu Bakr

2nd Caliph: Umar

• Named by Abu Bakr as his successor

• Helped establish the Caliphate system with Abu Bakr

• Was Caliph for 10 years (634-644 CE)

• Conquered Persian Empire• Got assassinated! =(

Empire Under Umar!

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

SCHISM!

The Schism that Followed

Sunni - Umayyads• Supported Abu Bakr as

1st 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 1st 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 1st 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?