The development of Islam under the leadership of the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs
The Prophet Muhammad died at 63 years of age in 632 CE. The two main sectors that divide the traditions in Islam are the Sunni and Shia, who claim different teachings, practices and power. After the death of Muhammad there were so doubts about the future leadership of Islam, Abu Bakr Muhammad’s close and trusted friend too control. For the next 30 years four leaders known as caliphs (successor) governed the Muslim world. All four of these men where very close to Muhammad and they were known as the leaders who followed Muslim orthodoxy "Rashidun" which means rightly guided.
The names of these four in order are Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-khattab, Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
The two main groups of Islam today are known as Sunni and Shi'ia. The Sunni groups are about 90% of the Muslims in the world today. The Shi'ia group is the 10% remaining. The Shi'ia group believes that the leader should be a descendent from the prophet in this case Ali ibn Abi Talib is, because he was Muhammad’s son in law.
The Sunni school of thought believes that the leader should be chosen from among all the descendants of the tribe of Muhammad, the Quaraish tribe but not necessarily from the family of Muhammad. And until this day there is controversy between the two sects in Islam.
The names of these four in order are Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-khattab, Uthman ibn Affan and Ali ibn Abi Talib.
The two main groups of Islam today are known as Sunni and Shi'ia. The Sunni groups are about 90% of the Muslims in the world today. The Shi'ia group is the 10% remaining. The Shi'ia group believes that the leader should be a descendent from the prophet in this case Ali ibn Abi Talib is, because he was Muhammad’s son in law.
The Sunni school of thought believes that the leader should be chosen from among all the descendants of the tribe of Muhammad, the Quaraish tribe but not necessarily from the family of Muhammad. And until this day there is controversy between the two sects in Islam.