who was this leader maintained by the sunnis?
A father-in-law and companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was the first of the Rashidun Caliphs.
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman (; 573 CE23 August 634 CE) was a companion and, through his daughter Aisha, a father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as the first of the Rashidun Caliphs.
who took over the islamic empire after the caliphs UNANSWERABLE what is this succession issue? The succession to Muhammad is the central issue that split the Muslim community into several divisions in the first century of Islamic history. Shia Islam holds that Ali ibn Abi Talib was the appointed successor to the prophet Muhammad. Sunni Islam maintains Abu Bakr to be the first leader after Muhammad.
wiki:1539440
Abu Bakr [SEP] Introduction
Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Uthman (; 573 CE23 August 634 CE) was a companion and, through his daughter Aisha, a father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, as well as the first of the Rashidun Caliphs. Initially a rich and respected businessman, Abu Bakr later became one of the first converts to Islam and extensively contributed his wealth in support of Muhammad's work. He was among Muhammad's closest companions, accompanying him on his migration to Medina and being present at a number of his military conflicts, such as the battles of Badr and Uhud. Following Muhammad's death in 632, Abu Bakr succeeded in the leadership of the Muslim community as the first Rashidun Caliph.