Islam
These four are known as al
khulaf' arrshidn ("Rightly Guided Caliphs"). Under them, the territory under Muslim rule
expanded deeply into Persian and Byzantine territories.
When Umar was assassinated in 644, the election of Uthman as successor was met with
increasing opposition. In 656, Uthman was also killed, and Ali assumed the position of caliph.
After fighting off opposition in the first civil war (the "First Fitna"), Ali was assassinated by
Kharijites in 661. Following this, Mu'awiyah, who was governor of Levant, seized power and
began the Umayyad dynasty.
These disputes over religious and political leadership would give rise to schism in the Muslim
community. The majority accepted the legitimacy of the three rulers prior to Ali, and became
known as Sunnis. A minority disagreed, and believed that Ali was the only rightful successor;
they became known as the Shi'a. After Mu'awiyah's death in 680, conflict over succession
annaabi.ee 
