Transcript The New Political Side of Islam

The New Political Side of
Islam
• Muhammad dies in 632 leaving no
clear successor
• Abu Bakr elected 1st caliph
(successor to Muhammad)
• Growing desire to unify Islam and
increase its influence leads to
conquering of large chunks of the
former Roman Empire (Syria,
Palestine, Egypt, North Africa, Spain)
Division over who should be
caliph
Sunni
– Supported Uthman as successor to
Abu Bakr
– Believe caliph should be chosen by
leaders of the Muslim community
– 90% of today’s Muslims fall in this
category
Shia (Shiite)
– Believe caliph should only come from
the true descendants of Muhammad
• Daughter: Fatima
• Son-in-Law: Ali
• Ali = 4th caliph, assassinated
– Call Ali’s successors imams
– Mostly found in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon,
and Yemen
Sufi
• 3rd division that emerges
• Seek mystical, personal connection
with Allah
• Use breath control, meditation, etc.
in their practices