Islam Timeline

By Unix Code
  • Period: 500 to

    Arabia is a crossroads of trade

  • 570

    Muhammad is born

  • Period: 570 to May 5, 632

    Muhammad

    Muhammad became a merchant, while still concerned with the ethical and moral failures in Arabia.
  • May 5, 610

    Qu'ran Created

    Actually written while the prophet was still alive.
    Order of important Muslim documetns:
    1. Qu'ran
    2. Sunna (actions of Muhammad during his life)
    3. Hadith (sayings of Muhammad and his companions) Combined to create Shari'a (Islamic Law) dealing with personal and family matters. Main goal is not punishment but for forgiveness to those who repent. Any punishment, however, is supposed to be determined based on clear evidence.
  • May 2, 622

    First year of the Islamic Calendar

  • Sep 1, 622

    Muhammad and Abu Bakr depart on the Hijra

  • Jan 1, 624

    First Islamic Military victory

    950 men left from Mecca to escort a caravan from Gaza. Muhammad's followers defeated the Meccans while being outnumbered 3 to 1.
  • May 1, 627

    Defeat of Meccans at Medina

    10,000 Meccans advanced against Medina. Muhammad orders his followers to dig a great ditch to enhance the city's defenses. This allowed tthem to defeat the Meccans along with siegecraft.
  • May 2, 630

    Muhammad breaks the truce.

    2 years later, Muhammad breaks the truce, eventually capturing Mecca as their resistance crumbled.
  • Period: May 2, 630 to May 2, 750

    Arabs/Muslims conquer a huge empire

    The Arabs conquer a huge empire, with the Bedouins as their army's backbone.
  • May 2, 632

    Muhammad dies

    Muhammad dies, leaving no successor. Abu Bakr takes control, not as king or prophet, but as a caliph.
  • Period: May 2, 632 to May 2, 661

    Territories Conquered by the first four caliphs

    The first four caliphs conquered much of the Middle East, Arablia, Persia, and Egypt.
  • Period: May 2, 661 to May 2, 750

    Territories conquered by Umayyad caliphs

    They conquered North Africa, much of Spain, and more territory in the East.
  • May 2, 720

    Arabs/Muslims enter Spain

  • May 2, 732

    European advance halted

    The Arab armies' advance was halted crossing the Pyrenees and in France.

  • Implementation of 10 year truce

    Muhammad took an impressive band of followerst to Mecca to undertake traditional rites of pilgrimage. The Meccans agreed to a 10 year truce.
  • Period: to May 2, 700

    Sensitivity toard human likenesses in religious buiildings

    Beginning of the existence of sensitivity toward human likenesses in religious buildings even though the Quran doesn't directly condemn it.