Rashidun Caliphate

Definition

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 Caliphate

Timeline

  • 632 - 634
    Abu Bakr becomes the first caliph (successor to Muhammad) of the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 634
    Battle of Ajnadayn; a decisive victory for the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 634
    Damascus falls to the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 634 - 644
    Umar ibn al-Khattab succeeds Abu Bakr, becoming the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 635
    Battle of Fahl; the forces of the Rashidun Caliphate defeat the Palestinean garrison of the Byzantine Empire.
  • 15 Aug 636 - 20 Aug 636
    Battle of Yarmuk is fought between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire.
  • 20 Aug 636
    Rashidun forces defeat the Byzantines in the Battle of Yarmouk.
  • 637
    Muslim invasion of the Levant. The Byzantines are driven out.
  • 640 - 650
    The Rashidun Caliphate conquers Armenia.
  • 642
    Byzantine Alexandria falls to the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 644 - 656
    Uthman ibn 'Affan succeeds Umar to become the third caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 649
    The Rashidun Caliphate attacks Byzantine Cyprus.
  • 651
    Arab Rashidun Caliphate conquers the Sasanian Empire.
  • 654
    Byzantine Crete, Kos and Rhodes fall to the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 656 - 661
    Ali ibn Abi Talib succeeds Uthman to become the fourth and final caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
  • 659
    A peace treaty is signed between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate.
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