Transcript Divisions within Islam

Divisions
within Islam
Early History
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After Muhammad’s sudden death in 632, it
was unclear who would lead the Ummah
(Muslim community).
Many felt Abu Bakr, one of Muhammad’s
closest allies and friends would be the
best choice.
Others felt that Ali, Muhammad’s son-inlaw would be the best choice, as he was
ahl al-bayt (part of the Prophet’s family).
Early History
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Abu Bakr was eventually chosen as
Muhammad’s successor under historically
unclear circumstances.
Abu Bakr became the first Caliph.
Ali reluctantly agreed with the decision.
Rashidun
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Under the rule of Abu Bakr and the
following three caliphs, Umar, Uthman,
and Ali, the Ummah expanded greatly.
These first four caliphs are known as the
Rashidun or the rightly guided caliphs.
Many people view this period as the
golden age of Islam and wish to return to
this glorious period.
Rashidun
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After Abu Bakr’s death in 634, Umar became the
second caliph, and after Umar’s death in 644,
Uthman became the third caliph.
During the reign of Uthman, many people
became unhappy
Uthman began appointing members of his
family, the Umayyads, to powerful positions.
Many saw this as a departure from religious rule
and the first step toward dynastic rule.
Beginning of Controversy
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Uthman was assassinated in 656 and Ali
became the fourth caliph.
Many, including Muhammad’s wife Aisha,
criticized Ali for not punishing Uthman’s
assassins.
In Damascus, Muawiyyah, Uthman’s
cousin, refused to accepted Ali’s rule.
This civil war became known as the fitnah.
Beginning of Controversy
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Ali and Muawiyyah met in 657 to arbitrate
a resolution to the fitnah.
The neutral arbiters decided in favor of
Muawiyyah and Ali reluctantly stepped
down as Caliph.
Many people were unhappy with this
decision, which they felt was political not
religious.
Beginning of Controversy
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Ali was eventually murdered in an unrelated
conflict in 661.
His son Hasan came to an agreement with
Muawiyyah.
In exchange for money, he would recognize the
legitimacy of Muawiyyah’s rule.
Many, however, still saw the descendents of Ali
as the real religious successors to Muhammad.
These individuals became known as the Shiah iAli, or the Partisans of Ali.
The Formal Split
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After Muawiyyah’s death, many of the
Shiah called for Ali’s second son, Husayn,
to become Caliph instead of Muawiyyah’s
son Yazid.
When Husayn did not recognize Yazid, he
was killed by Umayyad forces at Karbala.
This cemented the control of the Umayyad
dynasty as well as the division with the
Shiah.
The Shiah Identity
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Four years after Husayn’s death, a small
group of penitents, or tawwabun,
gathered at Kerbala to mourn.
The Shiah saw Husayn’s death as an
important sacrifice for righteousness.
This sacrifice is epitomized in the Shiah
holiday of Ashura.
The Shiah Identity
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During the first ten days of the month of
Muharrum and ending with the day of Ashura,
the Shiah commemorate Husayn’s martyrdom.
There are passion plays which reenact the
events at Kerbala and a matam (funeral
procession) in which people ritualistically whip
themselves.
The matam symbolizes the Shiah’s willingness to
sacrifice as Husayn did.