Ku qor sii wadida cutubkan - Khaliifkii ugu horreeyay, Khaliifkii Rāshidun, wuxuu si dhakhso leh ugu guulaystay Muxammad dhimashadiisii 632. Afarta khaliif ee Rashidun waxaa lagu soo xulay "shura", habka wada tashiga bulshada oo dadka qaar u arkaan inay tahay qaab hore oo dimoqraadiyad Islaami ah. Khaliifkii afaraad, Cali, oo ka duwan saddexdii hore, wuxuu ka soo jeeday isla qabiilka uu ka yimid Muxammad (Banu Hāshim), waxaa loo arkaa Muslimiinta Shiicada inay yihiin kaliifkii ugu horreeyay ee sharciga ah iyo Imaamka ka dib Muxammad. Cali wuxuu xukumay intii lagu jiray Fitnada Koowaad
(656 <unk> 661), dagaal sokeeye oo u dhexeeya taageerayaasha Ali iyo taageerayaasha khaliifkii hore ee la dilay, Cuthmaan, oo ka yimid Banu Umayya, iyo sidoo kale fallaagada Masar; dagaalka ayaa horseeday aasaaska Khaliifada Umayyad ee Muāwiyah I 661.