The Four Rightly Guided Caliphs

What were they appointed for?

The Four Caliphs were appointed to successively continue the spread of Islam and manage the umma, after Muhammad’s death. They were responsible for the political and religious decisions.

Who were the Caliphs?

The Caliphs were Abu Barkr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali

When was Abu Barkr a Caliph?

632-634 CE

What was Abu Barkr’s relation to Muhammad?

Father in law and good friend

How did Abu Barkr become a caliph?

democratically voted in by Islamic council

When was Umar a Caliph?

634-644 CE

Umar’s relation to Muhammad?

father in law

What did Umar do as he was dying?

as he was dying, he established a small council to choose the next caliph

When was Uthman a caliph?

644-656 CE

Uthman’s relation to Muhammad?

second cousin, and son in law to Muhammad

What did Uthman commission?

He commissioned the first official copy of the Qur’an to be written

When was Ali a caliph?

656-661 CE

What was Ali’s relation to Muhammad?

son in law and cousin of Muhammad

What are the two branches of Islam?

Sunni and Shia

What were the Issues that caused the split?

issues go back to the 7th century, when the Prophet Muhammed died, he didn’t leave a successor

Sunni muslims make up how much of today’s Muslim population?

85%

Sunni Muslims are considered more ….. ?

traditionalists

How do Sunni Muslims think Islam should be governed?

Matters of religious importance should be decided by consensus (ijma), the consensus being a council of scholars (ulama). The leadership of the community is not a birthright but a trust to be earnt

What do Sunni muslims have an aversion to?

worshipping Islamic ‘saints’

Do the Sunni muslims recongise all four caliphs?

he first three Caliphs before Ali as rightly guided and they recognise all 4 Caliphs

how does the right of leadership work for Sunni muslims?

The leadership of the community is not a birthright but a trust to be earnt

what is the role of the Qur’an for Sunni Muslims?

They stress more on the literal meaning of the Qur’an rather than subjective meanings

What percentage of today’s muslims are Shia

15%

Do the Shia muslims acknowledge they Sunni muslims?

They do not acknowledge the authority of Sunni muslims

What do Shia muslims belive about the caliphs?

Ali is the true successor