Alabama Social Studies SS24.8.3b
The Standard
- SS24.8.3
- Trace and analyze the spread of Islam through the Mediterranean region under the caliphs from 632 to 1258, including the consolidation of the Qur’an.
Differentiate among the Islamic sects that developed after the death of Muhammad.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students trace the dispute over who should lead the Muslim community after Muhammad died. They compare early Sunni and Shia views, then explain how the Kharijites emerged later.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain why early Sunnis accepted Abu Bakr as leader and why Shia Muslims supported Ali and his family. They can connect the Kharijite split to a later dispute over arbitration during Ali’s rule.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think all three groups formed on the day Muhammad died. Some think Sunni and Shia Muslims disagree about whether Muhammad was a prophet, rather than about who should lead after him.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Who did early Sunnis accept as leader after Muhammad, who did Shia Muslims support, and what later dispute led to the Kharijite split?
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cards for Muhammad’s death, Abu Bakr, Ali, and the 657 arbitration; have them order the events and add leadership notes.
Ask students to write two sentences explaining why a disagreement over leadership could continue after a new leader took office.
Read aloud three short leadership claims and have teams hold up Sunni, Shia, or Kharijite cards, then explain each choice.
Show a present-day map of Sunni and Shia communities; ask students why the map cannot tell them what every Muslim believes.
Free download
Printable SS24.8.3b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to SS24.8.3b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- SS24.8.3a
Outline the founding and development of Islam under Muhammad.
- SS24.8.3c
Analyze the influence of Islamic cultural, economic, and political systems in Africa, Arabia, and Europe.
- SS24.8.3
Trace and analyze the spread of Islam through the Mediterranean region under the caliphs from 632 to 1258, including the consolidation of the Qur’an.
- SS24.HG.7a
Identify major religions, their places of origin, and areas of expansion.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson