AIM: How did the death of Muhammad influence the growth of Islam? Do Now Muhammad’s Final Sermon

Muhammad’s Farewell Address Just days before he died, Muhammad gave a farewell address to his followers. 1. How does Muhammad view women? 2. What rights do women have over men? 3. Are all people equal? 4. What are Muslims supposed to do to nonbelievers? 5. How should Muslims regard any new people who claim to be prophets?

Important Vocabulary Caliph – n – highest political and religious leader in a Muslim government. When Muhammad died, his successor was called the caliph. Sunni – n – branch of Islam whose members believe the first four caliphs are the rightful successors to Muhammad. Shi’a (Shiite) – n – branch of Islam whose members believe Ali and his descendents are the rightful successors to Muhammad.

Only 7.5% to 11%. are Shia Up to 93.5% are Sunni 2,000,000,000 Muslims worldwide Only 7.5% to 11%. are Shia Up to 93.5% are Sunni

5 Pillars of Islam Faith Pray 5 times a day Alms – Give to charity Hajj – Pilgrimage to Mecca Fasting - Ramadan

The first 4 caliphs are considered the “rightly guided” caliphs The first 4 caliphs are considered the “rightly guided” caliphs. They were elected. Caliph – n – highest political and religious leader in a Muslim government. When Muhammad died, his successor was called the caliph. Abu Bakr (632-634 A.D.) Umar ibn al-Khattab, (Umar І) (634-644 A.D.) Uthman ibn Affan (644-656 A.D.) Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661 A.D.) The election of the first caliph angered a group of Muslims who felt Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law/cousin should be Caliph. While he eventually became the 4th caliph, a schism had developed and Islam divided into 2 major sects.

After Muhammad’s death Islam splintered into 2 main groups. Shia – Followers of Shia Islam are known as Shiites or Shias. (Shee-Ites). Shiites felt that Muhammad’s son-in- law/nephew Ali was Muhammad’s rightful successor, and that all leaders should come from Muhammad’s family. Sunni – Followers of Sunni Islam believe that all of the early rulers (caliphs) were the rightful rulers and it did not matter if they came from Muhammad’s family. Most Muslims are Sunni.

Sufism A third, mystical branch of Islam. Sufis consider themselves as the original true proponents of this pure original form of Islam. They are strong adherents to the principal of tolerance, peace and against any form of violence. Focuses heavily on meditation.

1. Abu Bakr – Muhammad’s father-in-law (632-634)

2. Umar ibn al-Khattab, (Umar І) (634-644 A.D.) Not all Muslims accepted Umar I as the Caliph.

3. Uthman ibn Affan (644-656 A.D.) Part of the Umayyad clan. Sent the first Muslim envoy to China in 650 A.D. Assassinated in 656 A.D.

4. Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661 A.D.) Revered by the Shia branch of Islam as the second most important Muslim after Muhammad. Seen as one of the 4 “Rightly Guided” caliphs by the Sunni. Assassinated in 661 A.D. while praying by his cousin, a Kharijite.

Mauwiyah of the Umayyad clan. Had rebelled against Ali when he was named caliph due to his clans anger over the assassination of Uthman. This led Kharijites to label Mauwiyah an apostate (betrayer/infidel) for rebelling. During a short war, Ali was on the verge of defeating Mauwiyah when Mawiyah sought to negotiate a surrender. When Ali agreed to negotiate, the Kharijites labelled him an apostate (betrayer/infidel) for not killing Mauwiyah. Kharijites felt all apostates deserved death.

Kharijites Kharijites were an extreme sect that insisted that any Muslim could be a leader of the Muslim community and on the right to revolt against any ruler who deviated from their interpretation of Islam. How would you describe the Kharijites?

Ali was succeeded by his son Al-Hasan ibn ‘Alī ibn Abī Tālib During his short rule, Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, a member of the Umayyad clan, who had a dispute with Ali, gathered a large army to fight for power. Al-Hasan eventually stepped down to avoid bloodshed, and Muawiyah established the Umayyad Caliphate and made it a hereditary position. His family ruled from 661-750 C.E. The Shiites refused to accept his rule, but the Sunni did.

Determine which branch of Islam is more, “liberal”. Which of the following is more liberal in their interpretation of Muhammad’s will, Shi’as or Sunnis?

Shi’a vs. Sunni

Expansion During the time of the early Caliphs, the Islamic world expanded its influence.