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Islam
Islam’s Emergence as a power
and
The Shi’ite Sunni Split 680 CE
History of the Split
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Power struggle following Muhammad’s death
The emergence of a caliph
•
Prominent Caliphs
– Successor to the prophet
– Head of the universal Islamic community
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Abu Bakr – worked to restore breakaway tribes
Umar – worked to stop raiding of tribes from Byzantium and Sassanian Iran
Uthman – murdered by mutinous arabs
Ali – wanted to encourage = and chosen by many (believed to be preferred by M)
–
Becomes the caliph but it is challenged by Mu’awiya (EVENTUALLY MURDERED)
–
Rightly guided caliphs
» Personally connected to Muhammad
• These 4 are known at the rashidun
•
First 100 years
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Reached India(East), Spain (West), North Africa
Most of the areas remain Muslim until 15th century
Not a big emphasis on conversions because Islam was an Arab religion
Mu’awiya – felt since Uthman was of his tribe, he was to be next Caliph
•
The meet in battle. ALI almost wins but M’s troops want to make a deal
–
Ali loses support for this action
• Umayyad Caliphate
– Differences between Mua and Ali – Fight and M’s troops put Koran's on spears. Ali
accepts arbitration. (M wouldve lost and seen as a weak move) but not what Ali
sees. Two negotiate (Ali rep – Abu Musa M – Amar. Decide that neither leaders
hsould rep and annoucne byt
The Split: The Role of
Husayn
• Mu’awiyah succeeded by his son
• Ali’s son (Husayn)faced Yazid I in the
Battle of Karbala
– Convinced to engage in battle by partisans (aka
shi’a)
– Shi’a claim he agreed and was motovated by his
desire to return Islam to a more pure form (non
secular)
• Martyrdom
– Husayn was killed and became a martyr
• This event was a symbol of the struggle for justice
and oppression of the Muham’s fam
Shi’ite
• Belief in religious purity
• Only descendents of Ali could be the imam or
rightful caliph
– Ali was Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law
• The first 11 caliphs were assassinated
• The 11th imam’s son disappeared and the
hereditary line ended (Muhammad al-Madhi)
• After this time, “twelver” Shi’ism began Leader
was divine
• They are looking forward to the appearance of the
madhi or the “rightly guided one”
• One of the largest holidays is the commemoration
of Husayn’s death on which people publicly weep
and flagellate themselves
Shi’ite
• Accounts for 16% of Islam
• Location
– mainly in Iran, Iraq and some in Pakistan and India
• Religious purity
– Wanted a caliph who represented Islam’s religious
interest and not imperial expansion
• ISLAM IS A RELIGION
Sunni
• Leader was pious but not a religious
figure
• Followers of the Prophet
• 83% of Islam
• look more to the letter of Koran
• Imam is an elected or chosen official
• ISLAM IS A WAY OF LIFE
Sunni – Shi’ite Differences
• Difference of Beliefs
– Conflict
• View of Allah – Sunni believe that Allah has a
“spiritual body” (people are not capable of
understanding his power)
• Shi’ite see Allah as a spiritual presence
• Shi’ite also see Ali and Fatima’s words as holy
• Sunni see ONLY Mohammad's as holy (others
are guidance but not holy)
• Shi’ite – Look more to the interpretation of
the Koran (the hidden meaning al-baten) while
Sunni take only what is written
Sufism
• Islamic mysticism
• Renounced worldly goods
• Dedicate themselves to prayer and
meditation in an effort to emulate the
prophet
• Many Muslims were against this but it led
to mass conversions
– Highly controversial in places like Afghanistan
under Taliban where it was outlawed
Islam
The Shi’ite Sunni Split 680 CE
History of the Split
• Power struggle following Muhammad’s
death
• The emergence of a caliph
• Prominent Caliphs
• Abu Bakr
• Umar
• Uthman
• Ali
• First 100 years
• Mu’awiya
– Umayyad Caliphate
The Split: The Role of
Husayn
• Mu’awiyah succeeded by his son
• Ali’s son (Husayn) faced Yazid I in
the Battle of Karbala
• Martyrdom
– Husayn was killed and became a martyr
Shi’ite
• Religious purity
• Only descendents of Ali could be the imam
or rightful caliph
• The first 11 caliphs were assassinated
• 11th imam’s son
– After this time, “twelver” Shi’ism began Leader
was divine
• Al Madhi
• Commemoration of Husyan’s Death
Shi’ite
• Accounts for 16% of Islam
• Location
• Religious purity
• View of ISLAM
Sunni
• Leader was pious but not a religious
figure
• Followers of the Prophet
• 83% of Islam
• look more to the letter of Koran
• Imam is an elected or chosen official
• View of ISLAM
Sunni – Shi’ite Differences
• Difference of Beliefs
– Conflict
•
• Shi’ite and Sunni views of Ali and
Fatima’s words
• Shi’ite and Sunni view of the Koran
Sufism
• Islamic mysticism
• Renounced worldly goods
• Dedicate themselves to prayer and
meditation in an effort to emulate
the prophet
• Muslim acceptance or lack