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570
Muhammad: Birth
Muhammad was born in the year 570 in the town of Mecca, a town in the desert of western Arabia. His name derives from the Arabic verb hamada, meaning "to praise, to glorify." -
Dec 2, 606
ELSE WHERE: Harsha rules India
Harsha proved himself a great conqueror and an able administrator. After his struggle to power, Harsha united the two kingdoms of Thanesar and Kannauj and transferred his capital from Thanesar to Kannauj -
Dec 2, 610
Muhammad: First Revelation
He began making long retreats to a mountain cave outside town. There, he fasted and meditated. On one occasion, Muhammad was visited by an overpowering presence and instructed to recite words of such beauty and force that he and others gradually attributed them to God. It was several years before he talkeed about it outside his family. -
Dec 2, 613
Muhammad: takes message to the public
After several similar experiences, Muhammad finally began to reveal the messages he was receiving to his tribe. These were gathered verse by verse and later would become the Qur'an, Islam's sacred scripture -
Dec 2, 617
Muhammad: Banished Muslims
The Quraysh, unable to convince Muhammad to stop preaching, banished the Muslims and their supporters to a dry valley and refused to trade with them. Muhammad’s uncle, Abu Talib, lost his business and the Muslims nearly starved. Abu Bakr, once a wealthy trader, lost everything. In 619, Muhammad’s wife Khadijah died, and then Muhammad also lost his protector, Abu Talib. -
Dec 2, 620
Muhammad: Isra' and Miraj
most remarkable spiritual event of Muhammad’s life occurred – the Night Journey called Isra’ and Miraj--in which Muslims believe Muhammad was transported to Jerusalem and then to Heaven. Muslims believe that God gave Muhammad the order for Muslims to pray the five daily prayers on this night journey. -
Dec 2, 623
Muhammad: Completion of Marriage to 'Aisha (ra)
the Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old, and then she remained with him till his death (hahaah on the picture!) -
Dec 2, 623
ELSE WHERE: Slave State
The Frankish merchant Samo, supporting the Slavs fighting their Avar rulers, becomes the ruler of the first known Slav state in Central Europe. -
Dec 2, 627
ELSE WHERE: Battle of Nineveh
At the battle of Nineveh, the forces of Heraclius (the Byzantine Emperor), defeated the forces of the Sassanid Empire. The Persian forces were led by Khosrau II. The victory saved the Byzantine Empire from further Persian attack. -
Dec 2, 632
Death of Muhammad
Muhammad returned to live in Medina. In March, 632, he returned to Mecca one last time to perform a pilgrimage, and tens of thousands of Muslims joined him. After the pilgrimage, he returned to Medina. Three months later on June 8, 632 he died there, after a brief illness. -
Dec 2, 642
ELSE WHERE: Arabs conquer Egypt
Arab forces under the command of Amir ibn al-As attacked Egypt. In 642, under terms arranged by Cyrus, Patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt surrendered. Terms of the agreement included guaranteed security for people and property, as well as freedom of religion. All this was to be obtained in return for the payment of tribute -
Muhammad: First Marriage
Khadijah, a wealthy widow who employed traders, asked Muhammad to take her goods to Syria and sell them. Khadijah was so impressed by Muhammad’s fine character that she proposed marriage to him. Khadijah and Muhammad had four daughters and two sons, who both died in infancy. -
ELSE WHERE: T'ang Dynasy Founded
The T'ang Dynasty was founded in 618 by Li Yuan and his son Li Shih-min. The T'angs dynasty used Loyang and Ch'ang-an as eastern and western capitals. The basic administrative organization of the Tang dynasty would guide China until the 20th century. -
ELSE WHERE: new pope
Gregory the Great succeeds Pope Pelagius II (who dies of plague) as the 64th pope. -
ELSE WHERE: Visigoth's conquered
Suevi Kingdom conquered by Visigoths in Spain. -
ELSE WHERE: Premits Christian Monasteries
Chinese Emperor Gaozong permits establishment of Christian monasteries in each of 358 prefectures.
