UMAYYADS

UMAYYADS

• Took power after death of Ali
• Set up hereditary dynasty
• Moved capital from Medina to Damascus

PROBLEMS WITH UMAYYADS

• Too concerned with wealth
• Damascus too far away from Arabia

REASONS FOR SUCCESSFUL EXPANSION

REASONS FOR SUCCESSFUL EXPANSION

• Byzantine and Persian Empires weak
• Muslims saw victories as signs of God's support
• Armies disciplined and skilled
• Many peoples converted to Islam

THE SHI'A

SHI'A

• Resisted Umayyad rule
• Caliph should always be relative of Muhammad
• They are minority
• Called Shiites

THE SUNNI

SUNNI

• Wanted peace so accepted Umayyads
• Caliph only need follow Muhammad's example
• Called Sunnis
• Means followers of Muhammad's example