The Spread of Islam in the 7th Century

Muhammad's First Revelation

610

Reported to take place in Cave Hira when Gabriel approached Muhammad and asked him to read. Not knowing how, Muhammad replied, "I do not know how to read." Gabriel then grabbed and released Muhammad on three occasions before revealing the first three verses from the Quran. Image: https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/facts-about-cave-hira/

Hijrah

622

Muhammad completed his hijrah to Medina, or Yathrib as it was known before Muhammad's hijra, to avoid prosecution. The people of Medina welcomed Muhammad with open arms and allowed him to preach Islam there. They became known as the Ansar. Image: https://afosa.org/hijrah-birth-of-prophet-muhammad/

Battle of Badr

624

After missing a potential caravan, Muhammad and his men settled in the city of Badr. Muhammad was alerted that the Meccan army was coming. They had just 313 men with only 2 horses and 70 camels, while the Makkans had over 1000 men, 100 horses, and 170 camels. The symbolic end of the battle came when Abu Jahl's head was brought before the Prophet. The Muslim victory strengthened Muhammad's position as his first major victory. Image: https://medium.com/@pathofallah789/battle-of-badr-b9b3b7703291

Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

628

Muhammad and his companions wanting to go to Makkah for pilgrimage led to the signing of this treaty. The treaty allowed Muhammad and his companions to make pilgrimage and called for peace between the Muslims and the Quraysh for ten years.

Conquest of Makkah

630

The treaty was violated when an ally of the Quraysh attacked an ally of the Muslims. This angered Muhammad and he gathered an army to march to Makkah. Muhammad was able to take back Makkah with minimal violence.

Death of Muhammad

632

After his final pilgrimage and sermon, Muhammad fell ill. After a few days, he eventually passed away completing his message.

Abu Bakr Named the First Caliph

632

Abu Bakr being named successor to Muhamad was a controversial decision that led to the Shia-Sunni Split. As caliph, Abu Bakr unified the Arabian Peninsula and gave it stability. This allowed him to send campaigns against the Sassanid and Byzantine Empires who were threatening Arabia's borders.

Death of Abu Bakr / Umar Becomes Caliph

634

After the death of the First Caliph, Abu Bakr, Umar assumes the position as the Second Caliph. Under Umar, the Muslims were able to conquer Damascus, Jerusalem, Persia, and Egypt.

Umar is Assassinated

644

Umar was attacked during prayer in the mosque of Muhammad, Masjid an-Nawabi, and passed away three days later.

Uthman is Elected the Third Caliph

644

Uthman was elected as Caliph over Ali, and due to his lack of leadership experience, he allowed his army to have autonomy. Uthman was able to optimize trade and expansions continued to happen under his rule.

Uthman is Assassinated

656

Uthman's lack of experience began to show. Rebellions in Egypt and other places ousted their governors and sent men to kill Uthman. Because Uthman spread all his power across the empire, he did not have enough protection, and Uthman was assassinated in his home.

Ali Becomes the Fourth Caliph

656

Reluctant at first, Ali became the fourth caliph after being convinced from the people of Medina.

First Fitnah

Period: 656 to 661

The First Fitnah was the first civil war in the Islamic Empire. Disagreements began when Muawiyah and Ali had different opinions on how to seek justice for Uthmans death. It ended after rebels assassinated Ali, and his son, Hasan, succeeded him. He eventually surrendered the caliphate to Muawiyah which ended the First Fitnah.

Death of Muawiyah

680

Muawiyah ruled more like an emperor than the previous caliphs and made it clear that he would not follow them in their simplicity. He led the first Muslim engagement on the sea and laid siege on Constantinople, which failed quickly. He appointed his son Yazid as his successor before his death.

Abdullah ibn Zubayr Establishes Rival Caliphate

684

Abdullah ibn Zubayr was the leader of a caliphate based in Mecca that rivaled the Umayyads until his death.

Abdul Malik Becomes Fifth Ummayad Caliph

685

After the death of Yazid, his son Muawiyah II succeeded him. After his surrender, Marwan was the caliph for just a year before Abdul Malik became caliph at Damascus.

Abdul Malik Becomes the Sole Caliph

692

After sending an attack and killing Abdullah ibn Zubaid in Makkah, Abdul Malik secured the Arabian empire and established himself as the sole caliph.