Islam: the development of Islam after the death of Muhammad Flashcards
Who were the four rightly guided caliphs?
Abu Bakr
Omar Ibn Khattab
Uthman bin Afwan
Ali ibn Abu Talib
what was the role of a caliph?
- make laws based on Qur’an
-lead muslim community (umma) - responsible for creating and maintaining a way of life
who was abu bakr
- Muhammad’s father-in-law, close friend, supported M throughout his life and battles.
- led prayers during Muhammad’s final illness + offered calm guidance after Muhammad’s death.
- chosen as the first caliph after Muhammad’s death.
- worked to restore stability and re-establish Muslim authority during a period of revolt.
what was abu’s legacy?
- seen as a resolute leader.
- showed good leadership after the death to hold the community unified.
- preserved the integrity of Islam with his stance at the zakat crisis.
- commissions the compilation of the Qur’an into a volume.
what did abu do?
- Restored stability to a
community in turmoil following
Muhammad’s death. - Provided order and structure in order to create unity
- Initiated the process of
compiling the Qur’an in written
form - Contributed to the expansion of
Islam
what was umar’s legacy?
- just ruler with his unwavering sense of justice
- established start of muslim calendar with migration to medina
- established welfare state with financial + social services
- establishment of new cities like cairo and basra helped maintain freedoms
what did umar do?
- ensure that the
Muslim empire was extended to
Syria, Iraq, Africa, Palestine,
Persia and Armenia
-appointed a committee to
choose the next caliph - role: continue Abu’s
piling to Qur’an to
spread the religion
what did uthman do?
- first six years of his
caliphate: focused promoting
peace rather than extending the
empire - Extended empire to Libya and
Eastern Europe - The Qur’an was completed
during his reign
who was ali?
- M’s paternal cousin
- gave M’s only grandchildrem
- initially rejected the position of Caliph when Umar was elected
what was ali’s legacy?
- popular, charismatic and heroic leader
- lead muslims during transition from the generation of companions to the next
- tried to maintain pious state rather then into an imperial one
outcomes of era of RGC
conquests:
- islam spread through them rapidly
- not forced to convert : “there shall be no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256)
- muslims won over indeginous by just and tolerant rule
Preservation:
- focused teaching islam + preserving spiritual tradition rather then politics
- Qur’an was put together and hadith collected
how did the two variants of islam emerge?
- as a result of disagreement around whom should be selected as leader in muslim community.
- trigger: choice of Muawiya after Ali’s assassination
what were sunni beliefs
early caliphs: first four were rightful fulers
muslim leader: any muslim who follows muhammad’s example
sources of islam: qur’an and Sunnah of Muhammad
what were Shi’a beliefs
early caliphs: only Ali was legitimate
Muslim leader: only a descendent of muhammad - ali may be ruler
sources of islam: qur’an, sunnah and teachings of imams (leader)
imams: both political and religious guide
similarity between sunni and shia
- follow qur’an, sunna, five pillars of islam
