Islam Timeline

632

Muhammad dies
661

Ali is murdered; Mu'awiya becomes caliph. Beginning of Umayyad Caliphate.
711

Muslims cross the Saint of Gibraltar into Spain and push north into France
732

Defeated at the battle of Tours. Advances into Western Europe halted. Muslims rule parts of Spain for centuries.
750

Abu al-Abbas establishes the Abbassid dynasty. Over the next several centuries Muslim merchant ships travel around the Abbassid empire and beyond.
850

Abbassid control over Arab empire fragmented. In Spain, Egypt, and elsewhere, independent dynasties ruled separate Muslim states.
900

The Seljuk Turks migrate into the Middle East from Central Asia. Adopted Islam and built a large empire across the Fertile Crescent.
1055

a Seljuk sultan controlled Baghdad, but left the Abbassid caliph as a figurehead.
1095

Reports of Seljuk interference with Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem led Pope Urban II to call for the first crusade.
1099

European Crusaders take Jerusalem from the Muslims. Eventually Muslims defeat the Crusaders and regain control of the holy land.
1120

Islam continues to spread throughout Asia. Malaysian traders interact with Muslims who teach them about Islam.
1258

Mongols capture Baghdad; city is sacked and caliph is killed. End of Abbasid caliphate.
1300

Ottomans capture Bursa and Iznik and move into Europe.
1453

Ottomans conquer the Byzantine seat of Constantinople and change its name to Istanbul.
1492

Castile and Aragon capture Granada. All Muslims (and Jews) expelled from Spain.
1520

Suleiman becomes ruler of the Ottoman empire. During his reign, the empire grows and enjoys a golden age.

Muhammad dies

Ali is murdered; Mu'awiya becomes caliph. Beginning of Umayyad Caliphate.

Muslims cross the Saint of Gibraltar into Spain and push north into France

Defeated at the battle of Tours. Advances into Western Europe halted. Muslims rule parts of Spain for centuries.

Abu al-Abbas establishes the Abbassid dynasty. Over the next several centuries Muslim merchant ships travel around the Abbassid empire and beyond.

Abbassid control over Arab empire fragmented. In Spain, Egypt, and elsewhere, independent dynasties ruled separate Muslim states.

The Seljuk Turks migrate into the Middle East from Central Asia. Adopted Islam and built a large empire across the Fertile Crescent.

a Seljuk sultan controlled Baghdad, but left the Abbassid caliph as a figurehead.

Reports of Seljuk interference with Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem led Pope Urban II to call for the first crusade.

European Crusaders take Jerusalem from the Muslims. Eventually Muslims defeat the Crusaders and regain control of the holy land.

Islam continues to spread throughout Asia. Malaysian traders interact with Muslims who teach them about Islam.

Mongols capture Baghdad; city is sacked and caliph is killed. End of Abbasid caliphate.

Ottomans capture Bursa and Iznik and move into Europe.

Ottomans conquer the Byzantine seat of Constantinople and change its name to Istanbul.

Castile and Aragon capture Granada. All Muslims (and Jews) expelled from Spain.

Suleiman becomes ruler of the Ottoman empire. During his reign, the empire grows and enjoys a golden age.