How did the caliphs expand and control the Islamic Empire?
Upon Muhammad’s death, his followers were faced with the decision of who should take his place as the leader of Islam. This leadership position was called the kalifa, which means “deputy” or “successor” in Arabic. The decision over who should be the first caliph (the anglicized form of kalifa) resulted in a division that has endured to this day. One group of followers held that Muhammad himself had chosen ‘Ali, his cousin and son-in-law, as his successor. Others insisted that Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s good friend and father-in-law, be given the caliphate. In the end, Abu Bakr would become the first of four caliphs, each of whom contributed significantly to the development and spread of Islam. Abu Bakr served as caliph from 632 until his death in 634. His first major accomplishment was to deal with the problem of the Bedouins (nomadic Arabs). Although some had converted under Muhammad, after his death they rejected Islam and refused to obey Abu Bakr. In 633, the caliph defeated the Bedouin r
