What evolution did the Islamic civilization go through from Muhammad to the end of the caliphate?

Question

I know that Muhammad had not designated a sucessor to the Umma (religious community) and the Sunnis didn't believe that he did. Shiites believed that at Ghadir Qumm he designated Ali ibn Abi Talib (wasn't that his cousin?) The Khalifa Rasul Allah: The Successor to the Apostle of God. The Rashidun: The rightly guided caliphs Abu Bakr, Ummar, Uthman, and Ali. I know that caliphs were to be nominated by the elders of the community and confirmed by bay'a (the community at large).

Please clear this stuff up...I'm very confused...I know it was chaotic. Thanks (btw, my connection sucks...I've been trying to google stuff but it won't go through).

Answer 1

There was no change. They couldn't find someone as into pedophilia as Mohammed.

Answer 2

Right after the death of Muhammad, things started getting messy, and some ppl even beleived tht death of Muhammad = dead of Islam. So, right away Abu Bakir out himself as khalefa to lead and organize them. and he could've been changed if people objected or disagreed. but no one saw anyone more appropiate than the one who shared almost every event with Muhammad. After the death of Abu Baker, came Omar, then Othman and then Ali, each was choosen by majority of people. Even Ali didn't disagree with any of them being chosen and did the bayaá (contract-like) to agree of the stated khalefa. tht's Sunnis point of view
Shiites believe that before the death of Muhammad, Muhammad talked to Ali and asked him to be khalef and lead the way after him. and when Abu Baker announced himself as khalefa, Ali was upset and perhaps angry. some ppl believed tht Ali should've been the khalef because he is Muhammad's cousin after all. but Islam cannot be inhereted, and tht's what most ppl seem to forget.
After the death of Omar, the picking of the 4th khalef, both Ali and Othman were nominated with two other ones. Then, each door was knocked and every person in every house was asked for his opinion to make a pick between them, the majority chose Othman. The choice isn't made by elders.

Answer 3

The Prophet had given the sign that he desired Abu Bakr to be the next in rule after his death.

He would have chosen Ali, but the majority of the arabian tribes, who were united with Islam, were not on Alis side politically. He knew that chosing him would put doubt in the hearts of his people.

This is akin to a politician who prefers his relative to another man who might be able to do the job just as well.

When you hear of such news in the media..the immediate response is...hes protecting his own people.

Thats not a good thing. Especially when most of the tribes tried to go back to their previous pagan ways after the Prophets death. God had informed him about this.