Four Rightly Guided Caliphs & Sunni / Shi'a

Who are the four Caliphs

Abu Bakr

Umar

Uthman

Ali

Top four things about Abu Bakr?

- Abu Bakr was the closest friend, trusted advisor, and father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the first male convert to Islam.

- Abu Bakr (r. 632-634) was instrumental in securing the survival and expansion of the early Muslim movement,

- served as the first Caliph after Prophet Muhammad's death.

- Ordered the first official, written compilation of the Quran into a single volume

Top four things about Umar?

- Senior companion, close advisor, and father-in-law to the Prophet Muhammad

- Shifted it from a regional Arabian power into a world-spanning empire

- Revered for his justice and piety

established institutions that solidified Islamic governance for centuries.

- Introduced Hijri Calendar

Top four things about Uthman?

- Second cousin and son in law to Muhammad

Top four things about Ali?

- Cousin and son in law to Muhammad

- His teachings, sermons and letters are foundational to Islamic theology

- Premier military commander, renowned warrior, foundational scholar

- Deep theological divides regarding his succession to Muhammad

Sunni

- Traditionalists

- 85% of today's Muslims

- Matters of religious importance should be decided by consensus (ijma), the consensus being a council of scholars (ulama)

- Aversion to worshipping Islamic 'saints'

- They do have their own personal heroes and holy sites however it is less pronounced than Shi'ite

- Recognise all 4 Caliphs

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

- Angels created by light, have no free will, and always follow God's plan

- Stress more on the literal meaning of the Qur'an rather than subjective meanings

Shia/ Shi'ite

- 15% of today's Muslims

- Deep passion for the memory of Muhammad, Fatima, Ali and all other members of the Prophets family.

- Do not acknowledge the authority of Sunni

- Ali is the true successor

- Imam is pure by nature, and authority is unquestionable as it comes from God

- Believe that angels were created by God, limited free will