Timeline of the Islamic Civilization

Birth of Muhammed

570

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Muhammed was born into a merchant family in Mecca and became known for his honesty and upright character. Muhammed was orphaned at the age of six and when grown, he became a caravan manager and married Khadija, both a wealthy widow and his employer.

Muhammed's First Vision

Jan 1, 610

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According to Muslim belief, Muhammad was on a retreat in a cave near Mecca and was visited by the angel, Gabriel. Gabriel recited to him the first few revelations of the Quran and told him that he was a prophet of God. Then, Muhammad was told to call his people to the worship of the one God, but they were hostile which led to religious persecution.

Establishment of Medina

Jan 1, 622

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As a result of the Meccans not supporting Muhammed's message to them and persecuting some of his followers, Muhammed and his supporters left Mecca and traveled north to the rival city, Yahthrib, which was later renamed Medina. The voyage to Mecca was known as the Hijrah, which marked the first date on the Islamic calendar.

Muhammed's visit to the Ka'aba

Jan 1, 630

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In 630 CE, Muhammed made a historical visit to the Ka'aba where he ordered destruction of the idols of traditional faith and declared the Ka'aba a sacred shrine of Islam.

The death of Muhammed

Jun 8, 632

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Muhammed died from a long suffered illness. After he died, Abu Bakr, his father-in-law, was chosen as the caliph after many disputes, making him the first successor of Muhammed.

The Qur'an was written down

Jan 1, 650

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The writing down of the Qur'an was very important to the spread of the Muslim/Islamic religion and culture. Under the caliph, Uthman, was when the Qur'an began to get written down so that people would no longer have to memorize passages; so that the message of the Qur'an could no longer get changed.

Rule of the Umayyad Dynasty

Period: Jan 1, 661 to Jan 1, 750

The Umayyad rule was marked by the death of Imam Ali, which brought an end to the rule of the four righteous caliphs; Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Imam Ali. The Umayyad rule was important to the rules of succession for Islam. After the first successor, Abu Bakr, died, Umar took the office, and his successor, Uthman, was assassinated. Ali, Muhammed's cousin and son-in-law, was in Medina at the time and was selected as Uthman's successor.

Overthrow of the Umayyad Dynasty

Jan 1, 750

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In 750 CE, the Umayyad Dynasty was overthrown after a revolt led by a descendant of Muhammed's uncle, Abu al-Abbas. After the overthrow, the Abbasid dynasty was established in what is now modern-day Iraq.

Rule of the Abbasid Empire

Period: Jan 1, 750 to Jan 1, 1258

The Abbasid caliphs brought many cultural, political, and economic changes to the Islamic world. They broke down the distinctions between Arab and non-Arab Muslims. During the Abbasid Empire, Muslims gained the right to hold civil and military offices, also, many Arabs began to intermarry with people they conquered. The Abbasid Empire played a large role in the spread of Islamic culture.

Building of the new capital Baghdad

Jan 1, 762

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In 762 CE, near the Tigris River, far to east of the Umayyad capital at Damascus, the Abbasids built their new capital city at Baghdad. baghdad later became the center of a large commercial market which added to the wealth of the Islamic world and promoted culture, ideas, and technology when it expanded to Europe, Central Asia, and Africa.

Capture of Baghdad by Seljuk Turks

Jan 1, 1055

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In 1055, the Seljuk Turks captured Baghdad and won command of the empire with the title of sultan, meaning, "holder of power". The real military and political power of the state became under the authority of the Seljuk Turks. Once Baghdad reached a period of decline, the Seljuk Turks decided not to make it their territory.

Byzantine challenges the Turks

Jan 1, 1071

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In 1701 CE, after the Byzantines challenged the Turks, their army traveled to Manzikert and took most of the Anatolian peninsula. later, the Byzantine Empire seeked help from the west and set papal pleas in motion which led to the beginning of the Crusades.

Bibliography

Apr 3, 2014

Faithology, The. "Islam Timeline." Faithology.com. Faithology, 31 May 2013. Web. 3 April 2014.
"Chronology of Islamic Civilization." Chronological Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
Hirst, Kris K. "Islamic Civilization." About.com Archaeology. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
of Islam." - ReligionFacts. N.p., 17 Mar. 2004. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
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