The Spread and Expansion of Islam
After the death of Muhammad, Muslims faced a problem. They were not sure who would be the next caliph, or successor.
Abu Bakr:
Even though not all Muslims agreed, Abu Bakr, Muhammad's greatest companion became the next successor. Under his rule, Abu Bakr was able to create strong Arab fighting forces. With these forces, he was able to keep the tribes that were slipping away under control. After reunifying Arabia, Abu Bakr led his armies north. Under Abu Bakr and his successor Umar, Muslim territory grew very quickly. By 642, Muslim forces were able to conquer the entire Persian Empire. In 639, the Byzantine province of Egypt fell. Also by 642, the rest of the Nile Valley came in control of the Arabs. About ten years after the death of Muhammad, Muslims were able to create an empire. By 661, the caliphate, or the area ruled by a caliph, reached from northern Africa in the west, all the way to Persia in the east.
Conflict in Muslim Leadership:
The Arab armies were quite successful in achieving land, there were many problems with who would lead the Muslim civilization. In 644, when another caliph needed to be chosen, Ali, a cousin of Muhammad's ran against Uthman, who was supported by the Umayyad clan of Mecca. Uthman was the winner. Rebels killed Uthman and a civil war broke out between Ali's forces and the Umayyads. By the end of the civil war, Ali was killed and the Umayyads regained control.
Division of Muslims:
Most of the Muslims accepted Muawiya, the new Umayyad caliph. Theses people were known as Sunnis, meaning "followers of the Sunna," or "the way of the prophet." Ali's supporters did not agree and became known as the Shia, meaning "the party of Ali."
Abu Bakr:
Even though not all Muslims agreed, Abu Bakr, Muhammad's greatest companion became the next successor. Under his rule, Abu Bakr was able to create strong Arab fighting forces. With these forces, he was able to keep the tribes that were slipping away under control. After reunifying Arabia, Abu Bakr led his armies north. Under Abu Bakr and his successor Umar, Muslim territory grew very quickly. By 642, Muslim forces were able to conquer the entire Persian Empire. In 639, the Byzantine province of Egypt fell. Also by 642, the rest of the Nile Valley came in control of the Arabs. About ten years after the death of Muhammad, Muslims were able to create an empire. By 661, the caliphate, or the area ruled by a caliph, reached from northern Africa in the west, all the way to Persia in the east.
Conflict in Muslim Leadership:
The Arab armies were quite successful in achieving land, there were many problems with who would lead the Muslim civilization. In 644, when another caliph needed to be chosen, Ali, a cousin of Muhammad's ran against Uthman, who was supported by the Umayyad clan of Mecca. Uthman was the winner. Rebels killed Uthman and a civil war broke out between Ali's forces and the Umayyads. By the end of the civil war, Ali was killed and the Umayyads regained control.
Division of Muslims:
Most of the Muslims accepted Muawiya, the new Umayyad caliph. Theses people were known as Sunnis, meaning "followers of the Sunna," or "the way of the prophet." Ali's supporters did not agree and became known as the Shia, meaning "the party of Ali."