Page 7 - World Religions I - Islam

Muhammad. Muslim historian Ibn Ishaq lists Abu Bakr as the third male to embrace Islam
(after Zayd the freedman). 28 Muslim historian Al- Tabari claimed that "more than fifty
people embraced Islam before Abu Bakr."29
• He is regarded to be the first person outside of Muhammad's family to
embrace Islam.4
• He was the closest personal friend to Muhammad. Because of his loyal support and
unshakable belief in Muhammad's mission, he was known as As-Siddiq ("the faithful").5
• He is one of two of Muhammad's contemporaries indirectly mentioned in the Qur'an.6 He
is mentioned as "the second of the two who lay in the cave," (9:40) in reference to the cave
in Mount Thawr where he and Muhammad hid from the Meccan search party on the
Hijra, the flight to Medina.
• According to tradition, Abu Bakr was responsible for the original compilation of the Qur'an.7
• Died in AD 634 due to complications with sickness at age 61.
• Buried alongside Muhammad's grave in Medina, Arabia.
 Umar
• Ruled AD 634-44.
• He was, at first, a fierce enemy of Islam. He converted to Islam in the 6th year of
Muhammad's ministry and spent 17 years as a companion of Muhammad.8
• He was appointed by Abu Bakr for succession of the caliphate rather than elected
by the people.9
• After Muhammad, Umar was the most influential in expanding and molding the
Islamic state, and in determining its nature.
• Under his rule the Islamic empire expanded at an unprecedented rate, conquering Syrian
and Jerusalem; also, the whole territory of the former Sassanic (Persian) Empire and more
than two-thirds of the Byzantine Empire. Umar has been called "the St. Paul of Islam" due
to his drive to rapidly spread the religion. The comparison is misfounded, however, as
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Umar's methods were undeniably violent whereas Paul's were characterized by peace.
• He determined that the year of Hijra should be the first year of the Islamic era.10
• Assassinated in AD 644 by a Persian slave while leading morning prayers.
• On his deathbed, Umar appointed a council to elect a new Caliph from a list of
candidates.11
• Buried alongside Muhammad and Abu Bakr in Medina.
 Uthman
• Ruled AD 644-56.
• One of the earliest converts to Islam.12
• He had, at different times, married two daughters of Muhammad, Umm
Kulthum, and Ruqayyah.13
• Uthman expanded the Islamic empire into present-day Iran, some areas of
present-day Afghanistan, and began a conquest of Armenia.
• His most notable achievement is the compilation of the Qur'an into a unified,
authoritative text.14
• Uthman grew out of favor with the caliphate due to a reign marred by nepotism in favor
of his clan, the Umayyads. This resulted in a revolt which led to his assassination in AD
656 at the hands of rebels.15
• Buried under protest in the Jewish cemetery behind the Muslim cemetery in Medina.
Ummayyad rulers later demolished the wall separating the two cemeteries, merging
the Jewish cemetery into the Muslim cemetery to enclose the tomb of Uthman. A

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