Spread and Decline of Islam

First Shi'a Imam asassinated and Christians persecuted

Sep 28, 661

Ali ibn Abi-Talib,first Shi'a Imam and the fourth caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate,is assassinated while praying at a shrine at Kufa. In Shia Islam, his son Hasan ibn Ali succeeds him as the second Imam. In Sunni Islam,he is succeeded by Muawiyah I, who moves his seat of government to Damascus and founds the Umayyad Caliphate.
Muawiyah I imprisons patriarch Giwargis I after his refusal to pay tribute. The Christians are persecuted and their churches are destroyed.

The Battle of Tours in France

Oct 5, 732

The Battle of Tours was fought between Poitiers and Tours, cities in north-central France. It was near the village of Moussais-la-Bataille.

Battle of Zab. Fall of Damascus. End of the Umayyads.

Oct 5, 750

The Battle of the Zab occurred on the banks of the Great Zab river, which is now Iraq, on January 25, 750. It defines the end of the Umayyad Caliphate and the rise of the Abbasids, which become a major dynasty and go on to last until the 13th century.

Abbassid Control Over Arab Empire Breaks

Oct 5, 850

Independent dynasties ruled separate Muslim states in Spain, Egypt, and other regions. Civil wars started appearing and Shiite rulers starting taking over parts of the empire.

Seljuk Turks Migrate to Middle East

Oct 5, 900

The Seljuk Turks migrate from Central Asia to the Middle East and adopt Islam. They built a large empire across the The Fertile Crescent, a region in the Middle East which curves, hence "crescent."

Seljuk Turks capture Baghdad

Oct 5, 1055

Abbasid Caliphate is losing power but retains spiritual control. The Seljuk Turks capture Baghdad and take rule from them.

First Crusade attempts to capture the Holy Land

Oct 5, 1095

Starting as Christian pilgrimage and ending in military expedition by the Roman Catholic Europe to recapture the Holy Land back from the Muslims.

Christian crusaders capture Jerusalem

Oct 5, 1099

Alongside other sieges and captures, the Crusaders marched upon Jerusalem. The Crusaders suffered from a lack of food and water but they kept at the siege until finally taking control.

Siege of Jerusalem

Oct 5, 1187

A siege on the city of Jerusalam that lasted from September 20 to October 2, 1187. If people wanted to leave, they had to pay ransom. Europe responded in 1189 by launching the Third Crusade led by Richard the Lionheart, Philip Augustus, and Frederick Barbarossa separately.

The Marinids occupy north eastern part of Morocco.

Oct 5, 1216

The Marinidis take over north eastern Morocco

Mongols capture Baghdad and the end of Abbasid caliphate.

Oct 5, 1258

Mongols capture Baghdad and take rule in Iran and Iraq. Supposed end of Islamic Golden Age.

Mongol Leader Lead into Middle East

Oct 5, 1300

Timur the Lame, or Tamerlane, a mongol leader, led armies into the Middle East. Tamerlane was a Muslim but strived to take Muslim and non-Muslims regions. They succeeded through Persia and Mesopotamia before invading India and Russia.

Granada is captured by Castile and Aragon

Oct 5, 1492

Castile and Aragon capture Granada in Spain. This end the 800 year Muslim rule in Spain.

Selim I dies and the reign of Suleiman I begins

Oct 5, 1520

The Ottoman empire is reaching its peak. Selim I dies and is followed by " Suleiman the Magnificent." The Ottomans have control in Southeast Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.