Spread of Islam

Rashidun Rise

632

The first caliphate was a 29 year period after Muhammad had died. This was the first time Islam had been without Muhammad since the establishment of the Islamic religion. The rise began after the wars of Ridda, which were political uprisings.

Abu Bakr's Rule

634

This was the rule of Muhammad's father-in-law, Abu Bakr, and a very trusted friend, he fought the Ridda wars in order to maintain control over the Arabian peninsula, allowing many of these dynasties to come about. When he died in 634, he was succeeded by Umar.

Umar's Death

644

After Umar's death, he ordered that a son-in-law of the prophet would be the next caliph. Uthman rose and expanded the caliphate, this became much harder with the constant fear of revolution from the conquered lands and the instability of a growing empire.

First Muslim Civil War

656

The first Muslim civil war, known as the fitnah, was between the Sunnites and the Shi’ites which not only divided the caliphate but the religion as well

Rashidun Fall

Jan 1, 661

The caliph, Ali, was assassinated, Arabic was changed to the official language of the government and all of those who do not descent from arabic were lower class and referred to as “Malawi”. The unrest within the Malawi population led to the end of this empire. The leaders became very corrupt and were often taking money from the government to pay for entertainment purposes, leading to the destruction of the caliphate.

Umayyad Rise

Jan 2, 661

The Umayyad family reasserted their authority over Mecca by defeating the first caliphate, becoming the 2nd caliphate

Siege of Constantinople

717

The Siege of Constantinople proved to be difficult with the Byzantines, while surrounding the capital, the Byzantines issued a new battle tactic called “Greek Fire” where they burned down the Umayyad Navy

Battle of Tours

732

In the Battle of Tours, the Carolingians fought the Muslims. The Umayyad forces lost and were held in France in order to stop the spread of the empire. This victory for the French is credited to Charles “The Hammer” Martel.

Umayyad Fall

Jan 1, 750

The end of the Umayyad caliphate resulted from many civil wars against the corrupt government, but it was at the battle of the Great Zab river where the last of the house of Umayyad were hunted down and murdered. Throughout this caliphate, a very successful and influential ruler would be Mu’awiyah I, who centralized the caliphate and expanding the empire (661-680)

Abbasids Rise

Jan 2, 750

The 3rd caliphate, Abbasids, took advantage of the decline of the Umayyad caliphate and took over most of Persia, Mesopotamia, and the Levant, finally defeating the Umayyads in the end

Execution of Umayyads

751

Once establishing the capital in Baghdad, the Abbasids invited the remaining Umayyads to reconcile at dinner, where they were massacred except one remaining prince who fled to Spain, leaving it as the only Umayyad stronghold left

Harun al-Rashid's Rule

786

Harun al-Rashid was the 5th caliph and brought vast amounts of wealth into the caliphate. In a thousand and one nights, his court and his reign are romanticized and note him as a famous leader. His reign would end in 809 CE.

Fatimid's Rise

909

Fatimids were all about revolting against the Sunni order and Abbasid state, finally succeeding in Northern Africa and presenting their hidden leader as caliph. Leaders were not only caliphs, they were Imams who are religious heads much alike Egyptians except they aren’t actual Gods

Buyid Dynasty

944

Iranian Buyid forces entered Baghdad demanding recognition as the single rulers of their territories; this sparked a century long period of local dynasties

Fatimid's Expansion

969

Under the caliph al-Mu’izz who ruled (953-957), Fatimids conquered the Nile and crossed over Sinai into Palestine and syria. The Fatimids then built Cairo, the capital of Egypt today

Badr Al-Jamali Takes Control

1073

Upon invitation to dinner, Badr al-Jamali managed to seize power and take over the caliphate, ruling as a military state. Badr and his successors did not even celebrate the Fatimid religion, although politically and religiously fatimids had lost, their state was still recognized

Fatimid's Fall

1171

Under caliph al-Mustansir, factions divided Egypt and caused tyranny and riots. This started the decline of the Fatimid empire. These provinces were then lost to local dynasties, ending the caliphate

Abbasid's Fall

1258

The Abbasids had a struggle for power, there was a dispute of who was the rightful caliph resulting in the neglect of the empire. Borders and government were corrupt and failing, military generals took over areas and refused to pay taxes to Baghdad, and the Turks (Barbaric but great warriors) would eventually invade and take over. Once they were pushed out of the area, they were left in Egypt where they lost their empire to the Mongols.