Table of Contents

Preface
I. Introduction
II. The Crisis of Succession
a. The Safiqah debate and its aftermath
III. Abu Bakr’s Regrets and ‘Umar’s Uncertainties
a. Abu Bakr: Khalifat Rasul Allah
b. Umar: Amir al-Muminin
IV. The Second Crisis: The Shura Council and its Failure
a. The Shura deliberations
V. ‘Uthman: Khalifat Allah
a. ‘Uthman’s caliphate: Umayyad power and the beginning of Shi’i opposition
b. ‘Uthman’s critics: ‘Ammar b. Yasir and Abu Dharr al-Ghifari
c. ‘Uthman and the clash between religious authority and political power
d. The siege and ‘Uthman’s violent death
VI. Ali Wasi Rasul Allah: The Clash of Religion and Politics
a. The Battle of the Camel
b. Mu’awiyah’s opposition
c. The Battle of Siffin
d. ‘Amr’s scheme and its consequences
VII. Conclusion
Appendix I
Appendix II
Bibliography