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570
Birth of the prophet Muhammad
The birth of the prophet Muhammad is very important because he would go on to create the new faith of Islam. -
Period: 597 to 626
Wars between the Byzantine and Sassanian (Persian) empires
These wars marked the final conflict between these two empires. Before these wars, there had been a time of peace, but after the death of Emperor Maurice, his ally invaded the Byzantine Empire, starting up the war once again. -
610
Muhammad’s first revelations
Muhammad had his first revelation which is significant because all of the revelations he would come to have would be put into the Qur’an which is the holy book of Islam. His followers believed that his revelations came from Allah through the angel Gabriel. -
613
Muhammad begins to preach the new faith
When Muhammad first began preaching his following was very small, but this was still important because over time his following grew and thousands of people wanted to hear him preach. His preaching led to the formation of the Islamic religion. -
622
Muhammad’s flight (Hijra) from Mecca to Medina
While being the target of assassins, Muhammad was able to get to Medina from Mecca safely, with the help of a clansman taking his place to trick the assassins. This is important because his presence in Medina led to multiple battles and he gained many converts. -
Period: 624 to 627
War between the followers of Muhammad and the Quraysh of Mecca
Muhammad and is followers were a threat to the Umayyad, and so the Quraysh attacked Muhammad which set of a series of battles. This is important because through the war Muhammad continued to be a good leader, and won even more allies by the time he claimed victory at the end of the war. -
628
Muslim-Meccan Truce
The Muslim-Meccan Truce was a great victory for Muhammad and his followers, and he returned to his home city and destroyed the idols of the shrine in Mecca and proclaimed Allah as the one god. -
630
Muhammad enters Mecca in triumph
After a treaty with the Quraysh, Muhammad is able to return home to Mecca triumphantly with over 10,000 converts by his side. He proved the power of the one god Allah and destroyed the idols of the shrine. -
632
Death of Muhammad
The death of Muhammad was significant because it left the Islamic community without a leader. Muhammad had not appointed a successor so the comminuted had to find the best person to take his place. -
Period: 632 to 634
Rule of caliph Abu Bakr
The rule of Abu Bakr is significant because he was the very first caliph of the Muslim faithful after Muhammed died. Abu was very knowledgeable and close to Muhammed which were some of the reasons why he was elected for this role. -
Period: 633 to 634
Ridda Wars in Arabia
The Ridda Wars were wars that occurred after Muhammed died. These conflicts often resulted in rival prophets being defeated along with their clans. These wars were important because they brought Arabian tribes to the Islamic faith. -
Period: 634 to 643
Early Muslim conquests in the Byzantine Empire
The assaults on Byzantine from the Muslims did not go through as intended as the Arabs were eventually defeated. However, these conquests were significant because they would leave the Byzantine Empire in a weakened state, and would be under attack from there on out. -
Period: 634 to 644
Rule of Caliph Umar
Umar was the second caliph, he was named as Abu's successor and was able to continue to advance in Syria and Iraq in the teachings of the Islamic faith. -
637
Arab Invasion and destruction of Sasanian Empire
The Sasanian empire sent ill-prepared forces to go against the Arab Invaders, and this gave that Muslim warriors victory over the Sasanians. They soon devastated the rest of their armies, took their capital, and completely wiped out people of power, destroying the Sasanian Empire which is significant because it allowed the Muslims to grow and spread across the continent. -
Period: 644 to 656
Rule of Caliph Uthman
Uthman was the third caliph and a part of the Umayyad clan. For the most part, Uthman was unpopular, but he was significant as his murder would set off a conflict between his clan, and the followers of Ali, also known as the first civil war. -
Period: 656 to 661
Rule of Caliph Ali; first civil war
The first civil war began with the murder of Caliph Uthman. This is significant because it would divide the Muslims into groups that still remain to this day. (Sunnis supported the Umayyads and the Shia followed Ali) -
Period: 661 to 680
Mu’awiya
Mu'awiya was one of the Umayyad leaders and the first caliph after the civil war, and directly challenged the position of Ali which was significant. -
Period: 661 to 750
Umayyad caliphate
The Umayyads created a large empire rapidly with its capital in the city of Damascus. This caliphate had Arab Muslims as first-class people and their warriors were very important. This group of people was significant because their empire would last almost 100 years and they would make some social changes as well and spread Islam. -
680
Death of Ali’s son Husayn at Karbala
Husayn and a few others were killed at Karbala after getting outnumbered by the Umayyad. This is significant because from his death and onward the Shi'a began to resist the Umayyad caliphate. -
Period: 680 to 692
Second civil war
Ali's second son, Husayn, was killed at Karbala, and this began the second civil war as the Shi'a, who followed Ali, resisted the Umayyad caliphate. -
Period: 744 to 750
Third civil war; Abbasid revolt
The Abbasid party challenged the armies fo the Uymayyad and utterly defeated the with the help of every other group who had opposed the Umayyads, especially the mawali people. This was important because is basically destroyed the entire Uymayyad people, with only a few survivors. -
750
Abbasid caliphate begins
The Abbasid defeated the Umayyads with the help of those who opposed the Umayyads along with the non-Arab Islamic converts. Under the leadership of Abu al-Abbas, this group of people had countless victories over the Umayyads until they were finally defeated and the Abbasids came to power with is important because the Abbasids would make Islam a universal religion.