Spread of Islam & Decline By: Zoe Cecil-Kempski & Alaina Hurley

Death of Muhammad

Oct 4, 632

Muhammad died in 632. His death confused many of his followers and plunged them into grief. His death also caused a rift to form between two parties of the religion, the Shiites and the Sunni.

Umayyad Caliphate

Oct 4, 661

The Sunni and the Shiites argued over who should lead the Islamic faith once Muhammad died. The Shiites believed that the only true successors to Muhammad were his son in law, Ali, and his daughter, Fatima. Ali became the fourth caliph. ALthough he was assassinated in 661 in a struggle for leadership.

Muslims enter Spain and begin Islamic rule.

Oct 4, 711

Under the first four caliphs, Arab armies fought and took control of land. They conquered areas such as the Byzantine empire, Syria, and Palestine. In 711, the armies crossed over the Strait of Gibraltar into Spain.

The Battle of Poitiers

Oct 4, 732

The Battle of Poitiers, also called the Battle of Tours, is when the Islamic army marched north into France. There, they were defeated by the French armies and the Muslim advance into Western Europe was halted. This battle took place close to the French city of Tours, which is where the historical fight gets its name.

The Seat of Power Shifts to Baghdad

Oct 4, 750

The last Umayyad, Marwān II (reigned 744–750), was defeated at the Battle of the Great Zāb River, The Abbasids take over rule from the Umayyads, shifting the seat of power to Baghdad

Abbassid control over the Arab empire fragmented

Oct 4, 850

In 850, Abbassid’s control over its empire decreased. Independent dynasties ruled separate Muslim states. As the caliph’s power faded, civil wars began, and the Shiite rulers conquered some of the parts of the empire.

The Seljuk Turks migrated into the Middle East from Central Asia

Oct 4, 900

In the 900s, the Seljuk Turks roamed into the Middle East where they adopted Islam and built large empires.

A Seljuk sultan controlled Baghdad, but he left the Abbassid caliph as a figurehead

Oct 4, 1055

In 1055, a Seljuk sultan controlled Baghdad and left the Abbassid caliph.

First Crusade

Oct 4, 1095

Reports of Seljuk interference with Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem led Pope Urban II to call for the First Crusade.

Christian crusaders captured Jerusalem

Oct 4, 1099

The city of Jerusalem was passed back and forth between Muslims and Christians for 150 years.

Saladin

Oct 4, 1187

The Muslim general Salah al-Din, or Saladin, ousted Christians from Jerusalem

Genghiz led the Mongols out of Central Asia

Oct 4, 1216

Genghiz Khan led the Mongols out of Central Asia across Persia and Mesopotamia. The Mongol armies kept returning again and again.

Hulagu Burned Baghdad

Oct 4, 1258

Hulagu, grandson of Genghiz, burned and looted Baghdad, killing the last Abbassid caliph. The Mongols later adopted Islam.

1300's

Oct 4, 1300

Another Mongol leader, Timur the Lame, or Tamerlane, led his armies into the Middle East. Tamerlane was Muslim, and his determination led him to conquer Muslim & non-Muslim lands. His triumphant armies overran Persia & Mesopotamia before invading Russia & India.

The Muslims finally lost all power in Spain

Oct 4, 1492

Christian forces fought to reconquer Spain for centuries after the battle of Tours. In 1492, the Christian forces finally seized the last Muslim stronghold.

The Ottoman Empire

Oct 4, 1520

The Ottoman Empire includes South-East Europe, the Middle East and North Africa