Muslim Leaders

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Muslim Leaders
The Leaders Role in a Developing Society By
Melissa Snyder
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Prophet Muhammad
570 C.E to 632 C.E.
Born in Mecca to a prominent tribe who was
responsible for protecting the Kaaba. Raised as
an orphan and was married at age 25 to a wealthy
business woman. When he was 40 he experienced
enlightenment from the archangel Gabrielle who
delivered the first of many revelations from
God. As his messages and influences expanded,
Muhammad and his followers were persecuted and
forced to flee Mecca Eventually Muhammad and his
followers were able to return to Mecca where
Muhammad founded Islam
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Prophet Muhammad
Contributions and Effect
Muhammad is seen as the final prophet of God's
prophets (a line which includes Adam, Abraham
and Jesus) Muhammad founded the Islamic faith
Through revelations from God, Muhammad formed
the Quran which was a document used after his
death to guide the people of Islam and people
around the world. Following Muhammad's death,
his work was
continued by others
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Abu Bakr
573 C.E. to 634 C.E
Was born in Mecca and was one of the original
followers and associates of Muhammad Was chosen
to be the first caliph, following Muhammad's
death, by the majority of the population. The
group that selected him came to be known as the
Sunnis He did not claim to be a prophet or to
have received any revelations from God. His
first act as leader was to declare war against
the tribes that had deserted Islam upon
Muhammads death
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Abu Bakr
Contributions and Effect
His contributions were largely of a practical
nature. He strengthened the Islamic faith in
Arabic lands and he extended its influence into
the Byzantine lands. The appointment of Abu
Bakr led to the creation of the two major sects
of Islam Sunnis and Shia. The two major sects
formed continue to cause controversy today in
territories that are trying to find peace between
Sunni and Shia Muslims.
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Ali ibn Abu Talib
599 C.E. to 661 C.E.
Born in the Kaabah, in Mecca Became the last of
the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs in 656 Since he
was Muhammads cousin and son-in-law, he was
viewed by many as the proper successor to
Muhammad after his death. Those who supported
Ali became known as the Shia He opened up Syria
and Iraq as Muslim territories and he used
violence to eliminate non-belief within the Arab
tribes Ali only ruled for 5 years until he was
assassinated
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Ali ibn Abi Talib
Contributions and Effect
Ali maintained the new faith of Islam and
expanded its territory The controversy over
naming Muhammads original successor led to the
Sunnis and Shias This dispute seemed
insignificant at the time but has developed to
hate within some Muslim communities The
importance of the formation of these two sects
continues today and can be seen in daily reports
from Iraq.
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Abu Hamed Mohammad ibn Mohammad al-Ghazzali
1058 to 1128
Born in Persia and became one of the foremost
scholars of his time Remains a significant
figure in the expression of Islamic thought,
particularly regarding the principles of
Sufism He spent his younger years studying
Islamic laws and principles. In Baghdad he
lectured on jurisprudence, religion, and
philosophy He outlines the principles of Sufism
with an emphasis on the importance of seeking God
from within, voluntarily searching for God's love
and returning it.
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Abu Hamed Mohammad ibn Mohammad al-Ghazzali
Contributions and Effect
He has well over 70 literary works verified as
his He is credited with influencing a number of
Western theologians and philosophers His
concepts of inner spirituality are practiced
today in Sufism The principles of Sufism are
commonly practiced by some Muslims both of Shi'a
and Sunni faith Sufism has a significant
presence in the development of Islam in the
United States
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Malcolm X
1925 to 1965
Was born Malcolm Little in Omaha Nebraska In
1946 Malcolm was sentenced to 8 years for grand
larceny and breaking and entering. In prison
Malcolm read about Islam and converted to the
faith when he was released He changed his
surname to X to represent the removal of African
slaves names He was a black rights activist and
proponent of Islamic beliefs He was assassinated
in 1964 by members of the Nation of Islam
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Malcolm X
Contributions and Effect
His realization of the possible reconciliation
of the races while in Mecca inspired him to
spread his message He raised the profile of
Islamic beliefs and inspired African American
converts He brought Islamic thought in the
United States back to mainstream Islamic
principles and away from black supremacist and
separatist movements
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What Makes a Key Leader
Mohammad - founded Islam Abu Bakr - caused the
formation of the Sunni Ali ibn Abi Talib -
caused the formation of the Shia Abu Hamed
Mohammad ibn Mohammad al-Ghazzali - made
important contributions to the evolution of
Sufism Malcolm X- he helped to return the
Islamic faith in the US to a more conciliatory
approach