Within two generations of followers of Islam, Mohammad death became extinct throughout the Persian empire, and half of the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. This safeguards against Islam in history, because it allows a large area exposed to a large extent, the Caliph. Islamic tradition has never had the Hijaz weak state was overwhelmed by superior forces, the abolition of faith together. This was not the case, the growth rate and a common respect for the eloquence of the Arabic language and a strong sense of Arab identity is the basis for the acquisition of major Islamic territories. In the words of Ibn Khaldun after a tribal solidarity in connection with religious fervor almost invincible force. This is certainly the case with much of the Islamic area over many years after the death of Muhammad.
The second important factor in the development of Islam, is a question of who would succeed Muhammad, and what is their role. Two points of view have begun to form and for centuries after the death of Muhammad.
The first of these views is the Sunni faith. They believe that religious authority lies not with the individual, but for the whole community. Sunnis believe that God did not appoint a successor, Muhammad is not a religion. Rather, we agree with the community is the norm, because they believe that if the panel finds that the majority is correct that a person can take the lead and are not part of the whole society in mind. However, Sunni politician is a need to relax after the affairs of State in connection with other political bodies.
On the contrary, according to Shiites. Muhammad claimed that Ali's successor and the person. Mohammed was in the house and can not appoint a successor, and in the center of the faith. Shiites believe that the successor not only political power, but religious authority. These two fundamentally different views of evolution has changed the formation of Islamic identity after the death of Muhammad.
Another force in the face of Islam from 661 to 750 CE, in the Umayyads decision. They were successful in managing an empire, because they are tribal and family ties between the ruling classes in which they pointed to the common interests. In the Umayyads in the government and has the possibility of establishing a political framework for the foundation of Islam more closely with the political system. In the Arab Umayyad belief of ethnic domination. She was a preconceived idea that the caliphate should be similar, and wished to remain separate from all the conquered peoples. This made the Umayyads conquered in the second-class citizens, and not at the same level as the master of the Umayyads. A great disappointment at the outcome because Omayyad There is no reference to the Koran and Islam, Mohammad should be only one religion of the Arabs. Koran allows Umayyads were equal.
Disappointment with the Umayyads Abbasid led to the acquisition of control in the year 750 to 1258 CE. In the Abbasid like cosmopolitan Islam. This will allow much more religious, and has many non-Arab scholars appearance. During this time some of the various institutions, Islam began to develop. Law Schools, the principle of sustainable relations between Muslims and non-Muslim communities and the transfer of scientific literature and Arabic pieces found during the Abbasid period.
In the year 850 CE the Islamic tradition is so strong that they are not better political system. Was in a public space and in all political directions. Abbasid leaders of the moment when the political power, and virtually no power over the Islamic faith. This division, when the state became weaker and weaker, although Islam is a thriving independent. This can be explained by the fact that there are many "local" Islam to the needs of people in certain areas. Tenants and the faith of Islam has remained unchanged, as the belief in the Koran and Muhammad, but it remains markedly different from region to region, as Islam continues to grow.
I would rank Umayyads previously questioned in connection with the expansion, and political structures, as the most important factor for the development of Islam. Although their philosophies are not fair to the success of political Islam have time to grow, and in a structured environment, until he was able to get about 850 CE. I think that if it was not for the Umayyads' performance of political Islam, which is very different from today.