The Caliphates period and the prophet

Summary

In order to locate the leader of the Muslim empire the elections are initiated with two potential candidates namely Ali and Uthman.

Arguments

After Ali declined the plans to take the leadership, then Uthman was appointed to head the Muslim community is faced with lots of criticisms. In order to ensure that the Quraysh remain in power he centralized the power and placed powers on himself to fire and hire governors in addition to his efforts of changing the Quran.

Reflection

The expansion of the Muslim empire in the early days was done through conquering Islamic regions and countries. Uthman wanted to expand the empire to Nubia and along with Northern Africa. He also wanted to extend the Muslim naval power along the Mediterranean, which was to be effected by Syria and Egypt governors (Kennedy 73). Uthman’s reign extended to Iran and Cyprus and who were required to pay tribute to him. In Umar’s time, the early comers who originated from small tribes dominated Kufa and due to their participation in battles, they were awarded high salaries and lots of wealth. The dictatorship involved in the Muslim leadership was manifested when Uthman got into power. He challenged the privileges formerly awarded by Umar and additionally appointed new governors in Kufa (Kennedy 78). He also required that revenue originating from the province be directed to Medina. Any protesting his demands, for instance, Ibn Masud was caned in Medina inside a mosque, and irrespective of the fact that he was he was an esteemed Prophet’s friend. Uthman also fired Amr the Egypt’s governor in order to implement his rules and appointed a loyal governor; Ibn Sarh, who was to increase revenue to be transferred to Medina (Kennedy 80). He also expanded the interests of the caliph. The governor faced numerous protests by the locals coupled with violence. Uthman death saw the introduction of Ali as the new caliph and though he never participated in Uthman’s murder, his reign faced major opposition especially from Quraysh. Clearly, the Muslim empire expansion and rule faced a lot of opposition and dictatorship.

Works Cited

Kennedy, Hugh. The Prophet and the Age of Caliphates. Pearson Education UK, 2004. Print.