Spread of Islam

Muhammad

Oct 4, 610

Muhammad was a well-respected trader. He once meditated in a cave and learned from Gabriel the angel that there's only 1 god. Set out to spread the new religion Islam. Hated by the Umayyads, the ruling power, Muhammad fled from Mecca to Medina for his safety. He later won the battle against the Umayyads and created a pact that allows Muslims to return to Mecca and worship the holy plae of Ka'baa. More on the Life of Muhammad

Khadija

Oct 4, 610

Khadija was Muhammad's wife who encourged him to announce his relevation to the public. She is an example of how influential wealthy women were in the pre-Islamic era. Deeper into the life of Khadija

Ali

Oct 4, 622

Ali was the expected succesor of Muhammad. But he missed it for he was to young and was not supported by the Umayyads to become the first caliph of Islam. However, he had his supporters and would later extablish his own branch of Islam called Shi'a. The Shi'a

Hijara

Oct 4, 622

The year when Muhammd fled from Mecca to Medina because his new religion upset the Umayyad's polytheism was marked as year 0 of the Islamic calendar. The Islamic year as well as the flight itself were called 'Hijara.' The story of Hijara

Abu Bakr

Oct 4, 632

Abu Bakr was Muhammad's father in law. He was supported by the Umayyads to be the first caliph of Islam, after Muhammad's death. He won thr Ridda War against large clans and expanded the power of the Islamic empire to the North part of Arabia (Iraq and Syria) and Egypt. The expansion pointed out the vulnerability of the Byzantine and Persian empires and led to Arab conquests. Story of Abu Bakr

Return to Mecca

Oct 4, 650

Muhammd won the war against the Quraysh and created a pact, which allows his followers to visit Mecca every year to worship the meteor (the Stone of Mecca) in the shrine of Ka'baa. The journey back to Mecca

Fall of Sasanian Empire

Oct 6, 651

The Aristocrats controled most of the power in the Sasanian empire of Persia. They exploited from the peasants, who were the mojaority. Also, the offciall religion Zoroastrianism was not very popular. Sasanian warriors set out to prevent the Arab invaders but lost. Finally, the Muslim conquerors took over the capital adn assasinted the last Sasanian rulers Sasanian Empire

Uthman's murder

Jun 16, 656

Uthman was the third caliph of Islam. He was assanated. This sparked the conflict between the Muslim supporters on who would be more suitable to success him, And it was Ali, Muhammad's, back then, young son-in-law. How was he murdered?

Umayyad Empire

Period: Oct 6, 661 to Oct 6, 750

After Islam gained ground, however, the Umayyad empire turned to support the new religion. As it wanted to remain the power-holder, the empire only pushed forwards their own caliph candidates and refused to let Ali be the successor after Muhammad or Uthman, creating a lot of resentment among the Shi'a supporters. This sparked conflict that continues to burn even in the present days.the Umayyad dynasty

Charles Martel at Poitiers

Oct 7, 732

The Arab expansion towards Europe was blocked by Charles Martel and the Franks at Poitiers. However, the conquerors remianed in Europe and continued to dominate Spain.More about Charles Martel

Abu al-Abbas

Oct 6, 747

Learn about Abu al-AbbasAbu al-Abbas led the Abbasid party to challenge the Umayyads as the party wanted to feel accepted as the real believers of Islam. The rebel took Persia and Iraq. The party won the Battle of the River Zab against the Umayyads. then it moved towards Syria and took the Umayyad capital. Abu al-Abbas poisoned the last Umayyad rulers to eliminate any rislk for good.

Abbasid Emipe

Period: Oct 6, 750 to Oct 6, 1258

Wth the Umayyad dynasty out of the way, the Abbasid empire built itself in Baghdad. Soonafter, however, the caliphs began to shift towards extravagant lifestyle. They created fancy buildings and harems full of slaved, foreign concubines. Women were much less free; elite women were housebound, freeborns were veiled and robed. Most peasants worked for wealthy landlords.The Abbasid caliphate

The First Crusade

Oct 6, 1096

The crusaders journeyed from Western Europe to seize the Holy Land of Jerusalem and made several areas Christian kingdoms. They massaccred the Muslims, the Jews, as well as the Christians in Jerusalem for the sake of having different beliefs (the two formers) and different appearance (the latter; the arabian Christian). The first crusade

Muhammad of Ghur

Oct 6, 1173

Muhammd of Ghur established the first Muslim empire in Northern India (from Punjab to Bengal). He later aimed to take over several Indian territories but suffered multiple defeats. However, he finally gained control over India and his rule left behind the sultanate system in India. Islam to India

Saladin

Oct 6, 1190

Saladin rose up against the crusaders and took back several outposts. He was made into a Muslim hero. After the death of Saladin, the Muslims continued to conquer back taken areas until the last crusade kingdomn fell in 1291. Saladin, the hero of Islam

Hulegu

Oct 6, 1257

Hulegu was Chinggis Khan's grandson, who followed his grandfather's horse-shoe impressions. His empire named 'Il-Khan' spread furthur than that of his grandfather. He established the Mongol rule over the Abbasid empire. Hulegu the Destroyer

Mansa Kankan Musa

Oct 7, 1324

Mansa Kankan Musa, Sundiata's successor, made his pilgrimege to Mecca, bringing the attention of the Muslim world's towards Mali. He was extremely wealthy due to the fact that Mali was extremely rich in gold. He brought back from Meeca, a poet and an architect who influenced a lot of important mosques with distinctive Sudanic style. Mansa Musa, the richest man of all times

Bhaktic Cults

Oct 6, 1400

Hinduism felt threatened by the spread of Islam into India. Hindu religious leaders turned Hinduism into something more of cult than a realigion, emphasizng on worshipping gods and goddesses to ensure that believers remain believers. For the first time in Hindu history that saints came form the low castes, completely breaking the century-old traditional mindset. The Buyid dynasty

Buyid's Rule

Period: Mar 2, 2022 to Oct 6, 1055

The Buyids of Persia invaded Bagdad and turned the Abbasid caliphs into puppets. The Buyid rulers established themselves to be the 'sultan', a term later used to call Muslim rulers. However, the Buyid dynasty could not prevent the Abbasid empire from starting to fall apart. The Buyid dynasty