The article deals with the events that followed immediately after the death of Muhammad. A distinctive problem was the dispute over the succession. The meeting in Medina known as Saqīfat Banī Sa’ida brought up the conflict between two important groups - Anṣār and Muhāğirūn. It was closely connected with the foundation of the caliphate and election of Abū Bakr as the caliph. In strongly traditionalist society this act splitted the muslim community into two parties. Important was also the dispute over ‘Alī’s rights and his attitude towards Abū Bakr. Diplomatic abillity of the new leader solved out the relations with the strongest tribe of Quraysh in Mecca. After consolidating his position was Abū Bakr able to deal with the threat of extinction of a unified state.