After Muhammad died, in
632, the Muslims needed a new leader for their country and for Islam, their
religion. It was not clear who should take over from Muhammad as leader of the
Muslims. A group of Muhammad’s closest friends chose Abu Bakr to be their new
leader. The Muslims gave him the title of caliph, which means successor or
deputy. As caliph, Abu Bakr was ruler of the new Muslim territories and
defender of the Islamic religion. Abu Bakr was succeeded by three other caliphs
– Umar, Uthman, and Ali. The first four leaders followed Muhammad’s example
closely. Like him, they used the rules of Islam to govern the Muslims. They
lived simple lives and tried to rule fairly. But their rule was also a time
when the Muslims were constantly fighting to make Islam stronger. They encouraged
was and battles against other Arabs and against outsiders, saying they were
necessary to remove injustice and the enemies of Islam.
During the 30 years
after 632, the Muslims were governed by four caliphs, who were outstanding men
chosen for their good character. They were unselfish and tolerant, knew the
Koran, and had been Muhammad’s dearest friends. The word caliph means
successor. These first four caliph were known as the “rightly-guided” caliphs
because they followed Muhammad’s example closely.
Abu
Bakr
ruled for only two years. He was followed by Umar, a giant of a man, from 634-644. When he went to Jerusalem, he
set out with only one servant and a camel, which he and the servant took turns
to ride. Umar lived all his life without luxuries.
Uthman
then became the leader. He was a simple and kind-hearted man. But the angered
the people of Egypt by replacing the governor with his own cousin, who set
higher taxes. A group of Egyptians killed Uthman in 656.
Ali,
the next caliph, was opposed by many Muslims, including Uthman’s cousin
Muawiya. There was constant argument. In 661 Ali was also struck down while at
prayer in the mosque. He did not die for three days, during which time he
protected and fed his assassin.
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