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FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAMIslam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics
(FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
More radical groups’ beliefs often far removed from mainstream Islam’s beliefs:
Fuse w/local rel’s Beliefs such as reincarnation
Rejection of all laws Justifies murder & assass.
Belief in imam’s miraculous powers Deification
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
More radical groups’ beliefs often far removed from mainstream Islam’s beliefs:
Fuse w/local rel’s Beliefs such as reincarnation
Rejection of all laws Justifies murder & assass.
Belief in imam’s miraculous powers Deification
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
More radical groups’ beliefs often far removed from mainstream Islam’s beliefs:
Fuse w/local rel’s Beliefs such as reincarnation
Rejection of all laws Justifies murder & assass.
Belief in imam’s miraculous powers Deification
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
More radical groups’ beliefs often far removed from mainstream Islam’s beliefs:
Fuse w/local rel’s Beliefs such as reincarnation
Rejection of all laws Justifies murder & assass.
Belief in imam’s miraculous powers Deification
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
More radical groups’ beliefs often far removed from mainstream Islam’s beliefs:
Fuse w/local rel’s Beliefs such as reincarnation
Rejection of all laws Justifies murder & assass.
Belief in imam’s miraculous powers Deification
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
Best known such group the Assassins in 12th & 13th centuries who targeted Sunni Muslims more than Christian Crusaders
(FC.67)
FC.46A THE SUNNI-SHI’ITE SPLIT & ROOTS OF TERRORISM IN ISLAM
Corruption & injustice Suppress lower
status Arabs & non-Arab converts to Islam
Islam’s theocratic nature Islam combining religion & politics (FC.46)
Abu Bakr (632-4), Umar, (634-44), & Uthmann (644-56) all chosen over Ali
Contact with & infl. of Zoroastrianism, Chr., & Judaism, all w/beliefs in
future savior
Split over who should succeed Moh. as Kalifa (deputy) b/w followers of:
Ali, Moh’s cousin & son-in-law
Abu Bakr, 1 of Moh’s 1st converts
Conquest of emp for Islam Contact
w/other civ’s (FC.46)
Conquest of emp for Islam. Riches &
power (FC.46)
Ali (656-61) made Caliph Ummayyads overthrow & kill him Dynastic principle replaces religion as basis for rule
Followers of Ali (Shi’atu Ali Shi’ites) see these events as sacrilege
He will return as Mahdi (“rightfully guided one”) to restore just rule Messianic theme in Shi’a Islam
Theme of suffering & expiation makes Shi’a even more of a religious movement
680- rev. by Husayn, son of Ali & Fatima (Moh’s daughter) 70 members of Ali’s family massacred
at Karbala Only 1 son of Husayn, Ali, survives
685-7- Unsucc. Rev. in favor of another son of Ali, Mohammed, as Imam, Islam’s true & rightful leader
Belief he’s still alive & hidden by God
Sunni-Shi’ite split in Islam, which is given more religious edge by 2 events:
More radical groups’ beliefs often far removed from mainstream Islam’s beliefs:
Fuse w/local rel’s Beliefs such as reincarnation
Rejection of all laws Justifies murder & assass.
Belief in imam’s miraculous powers Deification
Long pattern of relig rev’s centered around Imam, sometimes called Mahdi, & da’i, who preaches & sometimes fashions imam’s message & leads followers to victory or martyrdom
Best known such group the Assassins in 12th & 13th centuries who targeted Sunni Muslims more than Christian Crusaders
(FC.67)
Basis for present day terrorists in Mid-East who also carried out attacks in Europe and
US on 9/11/2001 (FC.146B)
