ISLAM - THE EARLY COMMUNITY (c632 - 661 CE)

Much of the early period of Islamic development was spent both in conquest and in consolidating the gains which had been made. During this time there was little internal dissension, for the Prophet had not been long dead, and many who had ridden and fought with him remained to ensure his message continued to be interpreted in the way he had desired. This early period saw the founding of the system of 'Caliphs' or deputies who governed the world of Islam both spiritually and politically and continued the tradition of Mohammed. This state of affairs did not continue for long. The first split within the Muslim community occurred largely for political reasons, not suprising considering the huge size of the Arab Empire. It concerned the sucession of the Caliphs. Upon the death of the 4th Caliph, Ali - the cousin and son-in-law of Mohammed, some within the community recognized only his descendants as 'the rightful heirs'. The majority of the community however (the Sunni) accepted that the Ummayud dynasty were entitled to represent the Prophet. It was these lines that the original unity of the Muslim world first fragmented.