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Middle east politics birth of islam

Muslim Rulers Since Muhammad
Muhammad established not only the Muslim religion, but also the first Muslim governmenta tribal association, really, though it was unusual because it was not formed along blood ties. Since Muhammads death, perhaps unsurprisingly, there has been at least some disagreement between Muslims as to who should rule and how they should go about doing it. Sometimes these differences have been grudgingly accepted, but other times they heave led to strife and even all out war. An examination of the way in which different Muslim rulers have led their people since the time of Muhammads death provides some insight into this situation.
Mohammad had been the two-fold leader of his followers; first, he was respected and revered as the mouthpiece of God, speaking Gods words directly as a prophet. He was also the executive and judiciary leader, using his own ideas and logic to rule in many instances. It is not surprising, then, that disagreement broke out after his death. Some of his followers believed that Ali, Mohammads cousin, was the God-chosen ruler of the Muslims, while others turned to Mohammads father-in-law. Alis followers became what are known today as the Shiite Muslims, while those who sided