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632
Prophet Muhammad's Death
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632
Abu Bakr becomes First Caliph
Rashidun Caliphate. Imposed taxes to fund wars against the Byzantine & Sasanian Empires. Identified his successor -
Period: 632 to 700
Early Years of The Caliphate
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634
Umar ibn al-Khattab
Second of Rashidun Caliphate. Major expansion of Islamic empire. Continued high taxes and wars against Byzantine & Sasanian empires. Institutionalized Arabic countries. Created shura to select subsequent caliphs. Assassinated by angry exiled woman -
644
Uthman ibn Affan
Third Rashidun caliph. Most nepotistic. Related to The Umayyads. Defeated Sasanian empire. Revised & standardized the Qu'ran. A mutiny arose which led to his assassination -
656
Ali ibn Abi Talib
Last of Rashidun-Sunni Caliphate. First Sha'i Imam. Muhammad's cousin & son-in-law. The first Fitnas broke out: Aisha & The Battle of the Camels, Muawiya of The Umayyads & Battle of Siffin and Battle with The Kharjites. Assassinated by a Kharjite radical. Defining moment in the split between Sunnis-Shiites -
661
Husan ibn Ali
Husan, the oldest son of Ali & Fatimah (Muhammad's oldest daughter) succeeded his father but was forced by Muawiyah to abdicate the caliphate. Was assassinated by one of his wives poisoning his drink -
661
Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan
After killing both Ali & his son, Hasan, Muawiyah became caliph. The first of the Umayyad clan. He was upset by the lack of response by Imam Ali in punishing his uncle Uthman's death. Muawiyah moved the capital to Damascus and ruled as a monarchy. Later appointed his son, Yazid as his successor -
680
Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan
Second Umayyad caliph who is said to have been the personification of evil and oppression for the Shiite people. He sent forces against Husayn ibn Ali at The Battle of Karbala killing the entire family marking the indefinite split between Sunni - Sha'i Muslims. After this reign, The Caliphate was ruled by dynasties, The Umayyad Dynasty was the first -
680
Husayn ibn Ali
Third Shii Imam/caliph. Second son of Imam Ali & Fatimah. Brother of Imam Hasan. Was begged by the Shiite people to reclaim The Caliphate from Yazid due to gross mistreatment. Was killed at The Battle of Karbala along with all his male relatives and sainted a martyr for the Shiites.