Why did some Arabian tribes try to break away after Muhammad died?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
history of Arabia
The Khazneh (“Treasury”), Nabataean ruins at Petra, Jordan.
Following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, various Arabian tribes engaged in a series of uprisings known as the riddah. These revolts were driven by several key factors:
- Reassertion of Independence: Many Bedouin tribes had historically resisted central authority. They viewed their adherence to Islam and their agreements with Muhammad as a personal contract that terminated upon his death, prompting them to seek a return to their previous autonomy.1
- Refusal of Taxation: A primary motivation for the dissent was the desire to stop paying the zakāt, a mandatory tax levied on Muslims to support the poor.1
- Rejection of New Leadership: The tribes refused to recognize the authority of Abū Bakr, who had been chosen as the first caliph to succeed Muhammad.1
- Alternative Allegiances: In their efforts to break away from the Medinan government, some tribes rallied around rival prophets who emerged during this period of instability.1
These uprisings were eventually suppressed by the forces of Abū Bakr, effectively reuniting Arabia under the caliphate.12