Getting It, Then Getting Along by L. Reynolds Andiric

Author:L. Reynolds Andiric
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2021-06-25T18:17:18+00:00

Islam After Muhammad: Shia and Sunni

Despite the Arab world’s strong loyalty for family or tribal origin, Muhammad had succeeded in uniting much of the Arab world in Islam. After his death in 632 CE however, the Muslim community was left without a chosen successor. As was the case before Muhammad, family allegiance became a factor in the assumption by some that a member of Muhammad’s direct family should assume his role as caliph.

Ali, Muhammad’s beloved cousin and closest relative whom he had mentored and about whom he said: “I am from Ali and Ali is from me; he is the guardian of every believer after me.” Those words, to some, seemed to verify Ali as the leader that Muhammad would have wished for. However, other stories give an account of the Prophet’s instruction to his followers that they would not choose wrong if they chose the most respected elder to head the community.

Before Muhammad was buried, a shura, the traditional intertribal forum to reach agreement on issues or disputes, was called. Ali did not attend the shura–perhaps because he was preparing the body of the Prophet for burial. Those who were present at the shura were mostly Umyyads from Mecca who, after disagreeing on several proposals for caliph, ultimately chose Abu Bakr as their spiritual leader and statesmen. Abu Bakr had been the Prophet’s close friend and companion and he had strong support because of his fairness and integrity. He was also Muhammad’s father-in-law (from Muhammad’s wife Aeisia). Although Muhammad’s followers in the shura generally agreed upon Abu Bakr, there was opposition by a smaller group of companions who strongly felt the Prophet’s close companion, cousin and son-in-law, Ali ibn Abi Talib, was more qualified and should succeed the Prophet as head of the caliphate. Ali, however, did not fight for the position and although all agreed he was devoted to Islam, most present at the shura focused their support on Abu Bakr, who was a good compromise in respect to clan rivalries, group politics and personal jealousies.

Ultimately Abu Bakr was accepted as leader and Ali, too, pledged his loyalty. Abu Bakr continued with Islam’s expansion, but was eventually struck with a fever and died after only a few years. On his death, Abu Bakr appointed his own successor–his son Omar–to be the second caliph. Omar had also been a close companion to Muhammad and his appointment was quickly settled with Ali acting as his deputy. The years following the death of Muhammad were by many accounts turbulent and full of strife. Ali was dealt yet another blow when Uthman was selected third caliph and although under his caliphate, Islam continued to aggressively spread, the once-close community became unsettled as it grew and rivalries developed.

During the time of the three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Omar and Uthman), Ali remained faithful and was credited with preventing many missteps and mistakes because of his scholarly, calm demeanor. Upon Uthman’s death in battle, Ali, at last, became the fourth caliph as well as Islam’s first imam or spiritual leader.

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