610
Muhammad (pbuh) is told by the angel Gabriel or Jibril that
God has chosen him as his prophet. God's word is dictated
to him and is collated in the Qur'an.
Muhammad (pbuh) preaches the pure monotheistic faith of
Islam in opposition to the established polytheistic
religion of the country.
620
Death of Abu Talib, the uncle who brought up Muhammad (pbuh)
after the death of his parents and grandfather.
622
YEAR ZERO OF THE
ISLAMIC CALENDAR
Hijra: Muhammad (pbuh) and his followers
move to Yathrib (later called "Medina") and build a
community based on Islamic principles.
624
Muhammad (pbuh) defeats the Quraysh tribe at the battle of
Badr.
630
Muhammad (pbuh) leads his followers to the conquest of
Mecca.
632
Muhammad (pbuh) dies
THE CALIPHATE
Abu Bakr (573-634), father in law of the
Prophet (pbuh), becomes leader of the Muslim community, and
expands Islam through Arabia and into Iraq and Syria.
The riddah wars: local uprisings. Putting
these down not only re-united Islam, but won many converts.
634
Abu Bakr dies
Umar 1 (586-644) becomes the Second
Caliph, calls himself "commander of the faithful" and
consolidates Islam in Syria and Mesopotamia and expands it
into Iran and Egypt.
Under Umar Islam becomes a major power and the structure
of the Islamic Empire takes shape.
635
Capture of Damascus.
Islamic forces defeat the Sasanid empire of ancient
Persia at al-Qadisiyah. They begin a programme of
converting the people from their state religion of
Zoroastrianism, and this ancient religion only survives in
small communities in Iran.
638/640
Capture of Jerusalem.
641
Capture of "Cairo".
642
Capture of Alexandria.
643
Capture of Isfahan.
644
Umar is assassinated.
'Uthman ibn 'Affan (?-656) becomes the
Third Caliph as a compromise when the more obvious
contenders cancel each other out.
'Uthman centralises the administration of the Islamic
world.
651
Possible Islamic expedition to China.
656
'Uthman is assassinated by rebellious soldiers.
'Ali Ibn Abu Talib (600-661), cousin and
son-in-law of the Prophet, reluctantly becomes the Fourth
Caliph.
'Ali was one of the first converts to Islam,and a
devoted follower of Muhammad (pbuh). He was responsible for
the first chronological version of the Qur'an, and noted
for his holiness.
Opposition to 'Ali's right to be Fourth Caliph causes
the Islamic World to split into the Sunni and Shi'ite
factions.
The Battle of the Camel (December):
Beginning of Islam's civil war.
Islamic capital moves to Kufa
657
The Battle of Siffin (May-July): This
indecisive battle and the following negotiations lead to
the establishment of a rival caliphate, under
Mu'awiya (602-680).
The Kharijite Islamic sect breaks away
and opposes both Ali and Mu'awiya. They carry out a series
of uprisings. The sect survives in a mild form today.
661
'Ali is assassinated and the Caliphate ends.
THE SPLITTING OF ISLAM
START OF THE UMMAYYAD DYNASTY
The majority group of Muslims follow the Ummayyad
leadership, and later become known as the "Sunni" Muslims.
Shi'a Muslims remain loyal to 'Ali's descendants, and form
a separate religious community.
Mu'awiya is first Ummayyad Caliph
Damascus becomes capital of Islam, and Syria becomes its
power-base.
Islam continues to expand.
670
Occupation of Tunisia, control of Kabul in Afghanistan.
691
Dome of the Rock completed in Jerusalem.
698
Capture of Carthage by Ibn an-Nu'man .
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