Age of caliphs

Rashidun Caliphate (632–661)

  • 632

    First Caliph

    Muhammad dies and Abu Bakr becomes the first caliph
  • 633

    Rebellion put down

    Abu Bakr suppresses rebellious Arab tribes
  • 633

    Conquering of Sasanian and Byzantine empires

    Abu Bakr sends Khalid al-Walid, his best general, to conquered the Sasanian and Byzantine Empires
  • 634

    Second Caliph

    Abu Bakr dies; Umar succeeds him as the second caliph
  • 636

    Arabs conquer Byzantine Empire

    The Battle of Yarmouk; The Arabs conquer the Byzantine Empire
  • 639

    Muslim Calendar

    Umar establishes the Muslim calendar
  • 644

    Third Caliph

    Umar is assassinated by Piruz Nahavandi, a Persian captive. Uthman becomes the third caliph.
  • 656

    Fourth Caliph

    A rebellion against Uthman is started and they kill him by burning him in his home. Ali becomes the fourth caliph.
  • 656

    Rebellion is Put Down

    Ali is pressured, by Ayesha, to quell the rebellion as revenge for Uthman’s death. The rebellion is put down
  • 656

    First Islamic Civil War

    656 - The first Fitna (Islamic Civil War) Breaks out between Mu’awiya, Uthman’s extended family, and Ali.
  • 657

    Battle of Siffin

    Battle of Siffin
  • 657

    Compromise to Battle of Siffin

    Mu’awiya sends ‘Amr ibn al-’As as an arbiter to reach a compromise
  • 657

    Rebellion Against Ali

    The Kharijites, a portion of his army who felt he shouldn’t have accepted the arbitration, rebel against Ali. Ali loses much territory to Mu’awiya and other forces
  • 661

    Assassination of Ali

    The Kharijites plan assassinations of the Islamic leaders and they fail to kill Mu’awiya, but assassinate Ali.
  • 661

    End of Rashidun Caliphate

    Hasan ibn Ali, Ali’s son, becomes the fifth caliph. He agrees to unify both factions and give leadership to Mu’awiya, beginning the Umayyad caliphate.