Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs Flashcards
Who was the first Caliph and who was he elected by?
Abu Bakr was elected by the Umma, considered the best person to lead the Islamic forces in contrast to a family member.
How did Abu Bakr affect the Islamic faith?
He collected fragments of the Qur’an and the first collections of revelations of Allah that would lead to the first written version of the Qur’an.
How did Abu Bakr help the spread of the Islamic Empire?
He unified the tribes of Muslims during The Wars of Ridda” (Apostasy) and defended Medina from surrounding tribes who recounted Islam during this period. He also sent an expedition to Syria.
Who had the most significant impact on expanding the empire and why?
Umar (the second Caliph) expanded it into Palestine, Syria, Egypt and North Africa, allowing the Muslim empire to extend well beyond the Arabian peninsular through several expeditions. He was an effective administrator of conquered territories and was influential in the development of financial and legal institutions. Credited with organizing a standing army.
How did Umar help spread the faith?
Though he did not contribute extensively, he was instrumental in establishing a council to select the next Caliph democratically by process of consultations - he nominated six companions of Muhammad to choose a successor. Did not use force to convert others to Islam. Oversaw the expulsion of Christians and Jews from Arabia and their resettlement into lands outside Arabia - believed only Islam should be in Arabia.
Who had the most significant contribution to the spread of the Islamic faith and why?
Uthman (third Caliph) collected all available materials to produce the definitive text in the Quraysh dialect of Arabic by 650CE. All subsequent Qur’an’s reflected Uthman’s original compilation. The collection of revelations under Abu Bakr were refined and distributed as the Qur’an by Uthman which is the standard test used by Muslims today.
What did Uthman do to spread the empire?
Led Muslim forces into Lybia and parts of Eastern Europe.
Due to Uthman’s rule, there were rebellions in Iraq and Egypt protesting against his rule/policy of distributing wealth and land to family members that were won in wars.
Who was the last democratically elected Caliph and his impact on the faith?
Ali, cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, saw a major split between the Sunni (Mainstream) and Shi’a (the party of Ali) branches. The major split between Ali and A’isha represents the wider split between the Shi’a and Sunni branches of Islam which exists today.
What is the main reason for the shift between Ali and Mu’awiya?
The root of the difference between Ali and Mu’awiyah is whether leadership should be passed by community consensus (Sunni’s who recognise all four Caliphs) or by divine inheritance (Shi’a who recognise only Ali as Caliph and disregard the other three).
Why was Ali disliked?
He refused to punish those who had killed Uthman - enraged Muslims and created further divisions. Ali’s caliphate saw serious divisions and disunity within the Muslim Empire.
Why did a rift emerge between Ali and the Kharijites?
Were originally supporters but defected, abandoning Ali due to his insistence of eradicating democratic methods of electing Caliphs. this led to a physical battle, the Battle of the Camel, where Ai’sha was defeated.
What happened after Ali died?
After Ali’s death, Muawiyah established a hereditary dynasty known as the Umayyad Caliphate. The Umayyad Caliphate was a monarchy, hereditary dynasty departing the era of elected Caliphs. This was the end of the Rushidan Caliphate.
How did Mu’awiyah impact the empire?
Mu’awiyah Expanded Muslim lands and his control north of Arabia, claiming to be Caliph.
