The first four caliphs of the Islamic empire – Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali are referred to as Rashidun (rightly guided) Caliphs (632-661 CE) by mainstream Sunni Muslims. Their tenure started with the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, when Abu Bakr took the title of Caliph – the successor of the Prophet, although not a continuation of prophethood itself (according to the Muslims, it had ended with Muhammad), and ended with the assassination of Caliph Ali in 661 CE.
More about: Rashidun CaliphateCelebrate Our Anniversary with Trivia!
Join us on August 23 for a free virtual trivia party featuring questions about ancient civilizations, U.S. history, unusual historical facts, pop culture, and more.
$543 / $5000
Definition
Timeline
-
632 - 634Abu Bakr becomes the first caliph (successor to Muhammad) of the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
634 - 644Umar ibn al-Khattab succeeds Abu Bakr, becoming the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
634Battle of Ajnadayn; a decisive victory for the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
634Damascus falls to the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
635Battle of Fahl; the forces of the Rashidun Caliphate defeat the Palestinean garrison of the Byzantine Empire.
-
15 Aug 636 - 20 Aug 636Battle of Yarmuk is fought between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire.
-
20 Aug 636Rashidun forces defeat the Byzantines in the Battle of Yarmouk.
-
637Muslim invasion of the Levant. The Byzantines are driven out.
-
640 - 650The Rashidun Caliphate conquers Armenia.
-
6 Jul 640The Battle Heliopolis is fought in the region of modern-day Cairo, Egypt between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire for control of Egypt, ending in a Rashidun victory and opening up Egypt for conquest by the Muslim Arabs.
-
642Byzantine Alexandria falls to the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
644 - 656Uthman ibn 'Affan succeeds Umar to become the third caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
649The Rashidun Caliphate attacks Byzantine Cyprus.
-
651Arab Rashidun Caliphate conquers the Sasanian Empire.
-
654Byzantine Crete, Kos and Rhodes fall to the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
656 - 661Ali ibn Abi Talib succeeds Uthman to become the fourth and final caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
-
659A peace treaty is signed between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate.
