NY STORY. “Vy nave i» Aba Talb, the unde of the Prophet Mi ; my oon after fis mether died. As he grew wp rebod nite ay of Mach Arabia, 0 ferrble placa ful of garbing sin and Wal wordp. Fr pte of this [ris Fem to be Fonest, far, erie ie resaved meny wre. dung one very spac one from the angel Gabriel, Alba Nrhonrrad ‘eld me be was aftad ct fist, he came to beleve that i was ht re to spread the rrenage of Alch. So he bogan preaching about Mam arcund 613 ard gained ery followers svc is message was one. of Kindness and chery. Sik not ol people agreed wth Hs Yeoching, Soon the faders of Mah begon to ry fo cst tim by perseosting his fallowers. When things became. urbsorcl he told his foloners 10 leave for the_city of Madnch There they cot to spread thee nai Tah The people Fr Madinoh Feoracd The Muti and their teachings and were ondous for Muhammed to come there Feeee ein Madinah on tha 2 of Sofiroftes runing any from the eadere of Makkah who were plotng to H him After a yor. a feat bate tock place betwaon the wo oes Mharnmd wih coy 313 men was cble to defeat the 1000-mon army of Makkah. Itock eght years Yo achive sYctory, but Muhanad finaly took control of Makkh. Fo that doy Fath Mach wos ro longer 0 pase of ida worship bt ot bel ay of arn where ely Alch wes wordhpped, By the time cay dear raphow died in 632, Var lover the atten Penal othe way to the mouth of the Euphrates River Hi resage.was very poplar “Gwar ony Givers wih Fis message of qeotrss and Gewesiy. Even ot be spread Fis Fath Tene ood Jenth areca he lowed the people there to proctes ther own relgors Muherrnad ccled them ‘People of the Back’ sce they baleved in ere Coe ‘rd hed holy wating “— — — \— To Ni pints lon ot rghit lan Wh ny hfs bad i sn GU wos cate te laf cil on sci oe Prope, Daing elie of te Pot |) ( pont neck tne wi in avd led al is taching nent es cl fn ind } ee anf das tot ban at nl thn st | 4 “Ge Poop aan eed Mab and tla ero s fllanin wr te a in when fe i vcaad in Madina. Tene, {tne tt for tke to surat bir dusty f was sacetny [or Malis to ton tin Lv Lgl rm Medan to le Hla | tad te ate "Wonce wert Mebane bn that Makan i esd, Bot wha writs Mich, | to hm now at Ga sera iso” fo a eel jr am igi | ee Mosler buona one commen of Uses ender one rling clipe ant ot ng amit | ‘CinspirBa Educators, ine 3My name is Omar and | became caliph after Abu Bakr died. It was under. ‘my rule that Islam spread beyond Arabia, Alehough we did not have huge armies, advanced weapons or brilliant strategy, we did have a passion for our religion and the knowledge that Allah was with us in batele Iewas with these advantages cha we conquered many new lands. In 636 we tumed eo the northy where the Eastem Christians held territory. We easi defeated cher amy and took over Byrn and Palestine by Sg Then in se-ae Seed he Persians im what is now Iraq. After other victories we ‘spread our empire all the way to the auicasis Mountains to the north and the borders of what is eoday Afghanistan and India Te theeast. We also moved souch and west and aeezcked Esypy where our message Was vahy well Feceived. ‘There were many reasons why many of the people we took over welcomed our presence Besides spreading Islam, we also brought peace and included all new Lands ineo our vast large trading networks. This in itself improved the economy throughout the lands, and we buile seaports and markets to help all have bustling trade Islam brought noc only faieh, bue wealth to desert dwellers who had spent most of their lives poor and struggling. The many different caltures thar came cogether led to a wonderful environment for che growth of learning, We taughe what we knew of science and mathematics, and in cum, leamed much from accomplishmenss of others. For example, Persia had are; philosophy, lierature and medicine, and the Egyptians housed the great works of Greece and Rome in cher libraries, We spread all of these ideas throughout our empire. s]Tam Muawyah, the frst calph of the Umayyad Dynasty, a famty of riers who governed the im Emprre for over 100 yeors. By the time I took over In 661, there were problems that Plagued the Muss, lading how to sdect naw leaders. The sue in Fact coused a great spit among the Muslims, forever dvdng ther into two main groups Sunt and Sha Regardless of those problems however I-vas able to spread the empire even further shan the caliphs befere me. Under my leadership, we moved west_of Eqypt ond conquered the Noth African coast ol the way in cur arias rade thelr way ‘Asa but were tumed irks beginning in 715. When we failed to tote the Eastern Chistion copie of lad into what We My famly ard those who come before ond after us were responsible for spreadng our fath al over the ancient world, We set up a system of gavernors fo rue the far reaches and taxed corly morMusirs. We amassed great wedth which we used for bulding projects such as many mosques and palaces. Even though we taxed nomMushm, we did not persecute people of other faths. but dlowad them to lve in pooce. It was also because of us that Arabic bacame the languages widely spoken in the Middle East. In ordar to read the Gke‘on which al Musis must doa Mush must be oble to read the language. So, evan theugh many Musi might use their everyday language in speaking. most would also read and write in Arabic. Once we captured Semarkand in Central Asia, we learned the Chinese art of making paper and began to buld our Faery cores Over tim, our wonderful stones and pastry ware wdely read and’ cal over. | 5 ©InspirEd Educetors, In,© wh Fork in the Road Characters: Narrator Al Usama AL-Zubaye Abu Baler Umar Fatima Talha ‘Aishah Uehman, ‘Abdul Rahman Rebel #1 Crowd (audience) Bilal Sead Rebel #2 SCENE E Inthe apartment of he Prophet Muharonad ans wif Ai anravor Our ony begins in 632 AD. sharty er the death of her husband “Abu Bak (rss) Aisha, ang Teme as oon a5 Tear What happens? ‘Aisha - lowly nds) My beloved husband died in my arms, Thani’ he left in egret i mow insightful place Paradise, Many followers hv githered outside, Pea ould hear che new rom ou, is dearest end. (mows of) “aba Bae (ods nd sts forard s ifaenog « daot)"O penple, who, worshipped Abou Bae (Malad i indeed dead. Bue whoever worships Allsh ‘behold! ‘Allah salve and will never die” crowd - (wag end commenting ul Abu Bakr spats) No! This esse! canna crown de without the Prophet He was our most beloved leader ‘Ans Bae - (rcerpts te coma) Yes... sll you say au, poe We US Be STS a fe onward Our faith in slam wil continue aad we the followers <3 ‘bring many sie Bt ope o Allah and His Prophet, Peace Be unto Him. SCENE Ul: Atamectingoffllowersafier Muhanad’ feral “Narrator -This meesng st decide who should be our new leader, the firstealiph ‘AN Toda asad day forall of ws however we mast be strong 04 GOA the work, A Tose ce, my most dear cousin and father inlaw. The task fills upon OS his cee re epreadl che Faith ands infence to ateas beyond Arabia ‘Uimar- This 0. The Propher saw Islam grow under his leadership. fie created a mation ee cups of warring Arabian tribes. A stuong leaders needed to aloe is. “Gehman Indeed To that end, I eink we should cast ores for our Est ca iph, Does yore havea strong view asco wi the new leader should be? ial - Irs my opinion that Abu Bakr should be named as eucoessen, Ses hhe was the Peaicotr eowst fiend and one of Tslnis east convers. HE ws always at Muhammae's side and best knows his wil. Ueama._You, of ll peopl, know the wisdom fhe Prophet Ie wate wp chose you, 8 Usama NF yes of Aras, serve Aah in the Great Mess calling the tise prayer respect you and your opinion, yet woul Rave suggested All, a close fics Pepe adr be igh, Abu Bake would asobe fie leader chovghs ‘Uchman And you, Usnma, served the Prophet as well alding hm Wis TSO OS Uehiman «od Poezfor both you aor Dial eas eto agree with your bois: ‘AML I, too, aggee that Abu Bale would prove « worthy Index, Aad 99, Sm she ae gins ben made (rns to Abu Bakr) Abs Bakr, May Allah be with You ‘CinspirEd Educators, Ine 39‘Abu Bak - Peace be unto ll of you “Obey me as Lobey Allah and His Messenger. When sicobey Him and His Prophet then obey me not” Narrator - Abu Bales leadership lasted only a litle more chan two yeats, In that time ‘Abu Baler defended Arabia from outside attacks and resolved problems of celoyalty ‘within. Ou his deathbed Abu Bakr chose Umar as the next caliph ‘SCENE MI: shah and Fatima are inthe midst ofc comversation. Narrator - As Abu Bakr expected, Umar proved to be a good and caring caliph, well liked and respected by most Muslims inching the Prophets family Aishah - Tt has been two years now since Umar became caliph. He seems to be doing very well. He has srcady begun ruling new Muslim lands by appointing governors. He ‘has also been able to collect enough texcs to pay forthe building of new roals and cities, Fatima - Its my understanding, too, that his taxation is most fit. Though non-Muslims are taxed, the poor and those who aid inthe defense ofthe empire need not pay. Aisha - Thave heard the same, and charity is used to help non-Muslims inthe same way ‘poor, sie and omphaned Muslims are provided for All- (eters) Good afternoon, Ladies. Lhope Iam not interrupting a private conversation. Fatima - No, Husband, we have been speaking of Caliph Umar. We were saying how impressed we are with his rule, You know hi well what do you think Ali- Umaris a fine leader and a most humble man, He insists governors and others who help him rule live imple lives in keeping with the Quan, keeping no guards at thelr «doors so all may gret people who come to them about matters of concern. Fatima - Is i true, Htisband, that some say they cannot tell » poor Muslim from the caliph or one ofhis generals? Ali - This Tcannot say for certain, though I have heard this same story. I do know that (Caliph Umar believes he must ive his ie as an example to other. ‘Narrator - Despite the many people who respected Umar, the caliph made some enemies during his ten years as caliph. He was stabbed by a man who held a gridge against him, and as he lay dying he named six trusted followers to decide his sacessor. SCENE IV: Thesifollowers met, All As you all know, our beloved Umar asked that we decide upon one of us tobe caliph ‘Abul Rahman Iss you say but before we begin I should like towithdtaw my name asa possible choice. | tralydo not desire to seve in sucha high position. Sa’ad - [shall be as you wish, Abdul Rahman. The successor will be one the other five. Al-Zubayr~ Mighe I suggest, then, that Abdul Raman choose the candidate and then we can discuss and vore upon his choice? ‘wad | think i is time we turn to Ali, and I can tll you many Muslims fel as Ido, Noc only was Ali one ofthe Btst converts to Islam, he i ale a close relative ofthe Prophet 1 ‘think Muhazmad himself would have wanted the leadership to stayin his family. 6 ‘GlnspitEd Educators, Ine.v Talha I am not certain itis right to second-guess the wishes of the Propher. We all know he leet to us, without guidelines to follow, to choose his successors, ‘Al-Zubayr- Abdul Rabman, which of our names would you wish to place before us? ‘Abdul Rahman - When you suggested I select the candidate, I thought right away that ‘Uthman would be an excellent choice. Not only was he a faithful servant 10 the Prophet, Duchis military salls could prove most useful in bringing more lands to Islam's empite. ‘Talha - Why don't we cast votes for either Ali or Uchman? I ink it would be wise, however, to take time to speale with others inthe community to learn their views, [Abdul Rehman - I, for one, am interested to lean if Sad i corset chat many Muslins ‘went leaders co be irom the famaly ofthe Prophet. (have not heard such comments bue if thisisthe wish of mose Muslims, Ai would bea fine choice ‘Ali Then let us go forth and spesk with others before casting votes. Allah's will be done! [Narrator After wo days of discussions, Uthman was selected as the next caliph. SCENE V: Twelve years later, some rebels are talicing, Rebel #1- Ido not understand why Utaman was ever selected to lead. He is said to be a good man, which may be so, yet he isa weak leader Rebel # 2 No doubt. I think the only reason he was chosen over Ali was that he is from. the wealthy Quraysh family of Maklcah. That family has grown wealthier with Uchman ascaliph, and they hold most of the important government positions, Rebel # 1 It seems Uthman does exactly what his family wants him todo, [eis time we Ina ral leader, one the Propher himself would have chosen forus. We need Ali Rebel #2 All's time to lead will come, We shall see toi. Narrator - A group of rebels iin fact break into Uthinan's home in 656 CE, and ‘auydered him as he prayed. Although concerned that many of his supporters belonged to therebel group chat mutdered Uthman, Al accepted ce call to become the next caliph SCENE VE: Alta peahing to acrowd offellowers [Ali T want to thank each of you for your support in selecting me as caliph. I know conditions in our land are difficulé now, but l promise I will do my best to bring order. I feel some of the empire's problems are de to comrupt govemots, chosen mainly because they are family metabers of Uehman. I will move these men and appoint qualified leaders in ther places Crowd -Longllive Caliph Ali! Peace be unto htm. [Narrator -All dismissed the governor, but one named M'swiys, a nephew of Uthman, reftsed to obey Ali He claimed instead that he was che rightful caliph, and civil war ‘broke out between his supporters and Al's, who called themselves Sha Al in the end All was klled and Murawiya became the new caliph, bue she bittemess remained. The split between the Shia, who supported Ali and his descendants, and the Sunni, who believe Muslim leaders should be chosen based upon cheir worthiness to serve has never healed SCENE VIE: Morethan 300 years tater, [Narrator -The United States and other nations fought a war in 2003 to oust cruel Sunn fltator from Iraq, Soon, though, widespread violence broke out between the majority Shand che Sumas. lnspirkd Educators, Ine. 6Difference? + Thengjy alesse mir cuore reese Shi'a Muslims are only about 10-15% of Islamic followers worldwide Shia roots lie in their support of Ali, ‘Muhammae's cousin and son-in-law. “They believe Ali was chasen by Allah to ‘be Muhammad's succestor, ‘Sunni roots lie in their support of Abu Bakr and other leaders who were not close relatives of Muhammad, * Sunnis believe their sect began in 632 AD. with th election of Abu Baler afver Muhammad died, ‘This ect developed overtime after ‘Muhammad's death. Major events include the murders of Ali and his son, They believe Muslim rulers should be Shia believe all Muslim leaders should deserving of their postion ‘bein the direct family line of, Muhammad through Ab. + Their holy cities are Maldkah and Madinah, ‘The Shi'a holy cities are Mella, ‘Madinah, Nafaf, and Karbala + Sunni leaders are, on the whale, less powerful than Shiite leaders Leaders, or “imams,” are revered as being inspired by Allah, + Shit Muslims think religious and state leaders should be one and the same. + Sunnis usually have separste religions ‘and government leaders in most oftheir DIRECTIONS: Answer the questions, supporting your ideas with lesson information. 1. Why do you think the division between Sunni and Shi'ais so bitter? 2, Why do you think MOST Muslims today are Sunni? 3. Explain the violence that erupted in iraq after the USS, and others fought a wa in 2003 a to oust the nation’s cruel, Sunni dictator.