CITE SOURCES ITERATIONS Islam Timeline ARTICLE RELATED Print Note: The following chronology follows the most widely accepted accounts of Islamic history. Because Islam islam has often functioned as a religio-political entity, its history is not limited to the development of its scriptures, doctrines, and religious practices but also includes important facts regarding political leadership, geographic boundaries and expansion, and military actions. Date (CE) Event c. 570 Birth of Muhammad Muhammad Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam, is born into the Quraysh tribe1 in Mecca. 610 First Revelations of the Quran The Quran Muhammad is believed to have received his first revelations and his calling as God’s2 messenger in a cave near Mecca. These revelations would continue throughout his life and eventually be recorded in the Quran, Islam’s sacred scripture. 613-622 Muhammads Public Ministry Muhammad begins to preach monotheism 3 and gains a few followers. However, he is largely rejected by the polytheistic culture of Mecca. 619 Deaths of Khadijah Khadijah and Abu Talib Khadijah, Muhammads first wife, and his uncle Abu Talib die the same year. Both were significant figures in Muhammads life and sources of protection from hostile Meccans. 622 The Hijra As persecution in Mecca intensifies, Muhammad moves to Yathrib (modern-day Medina ) with his followers. This move, referred to as Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar Islamic Calendar and of Islam’s establishment as a major religious and political force in Medina. 622 Marriage of Muhammad and Aisha Muhammad marries Aisha, daughter of Abu Bakr Abu Bakr .4 622 Prophets Mosque Construction begins for a mosque at Muhammads home in Medina. This mosque expands throughout the years, eventually holds the tomb of Muhammad, and becomes one of Islams most sacred sites. c. 622 Constitution of Medina Shortly after Muhammads move to Medina, he drafted a charter that established Islam as a political entity as well as a religious body. This charter and various agreements made with surrounding tribes and existing religious groups become the Constitution of Medina, the foundation of Islam as a powerful religio-political body. 624 Battle of Badr Muslims gain a significant military victory over a larger Meccan army, attributing their success to divine intervention. 628 Treaty of Hudaybiyah A truce between Muslims and the Quraysh of Mecca grants permission for Muslims to visit the Kabah, a shrine located in Mecca and Islams holiest site. 630 Mecca Conquered After breaches in the Treaty of Hudaybiyah, Muslims conquer Mecca. They clear the Kabah, a religious shrine from pre-Islamic times, of the polytheistic idols held there and dedicate the site for the worship of the one God. 632 Death of Muhammad Muhammad dies at his home in Medina and is buried there. 632 Abu Bakr Becomes First Caliph of Islam After Muhammads death, uncertainty and disagreement regarding his successor ends with the appointment of his close adviser Abu Bakr as caliph, the leader of the religio-political body of Islam. 632-661 The Rashidun Caliphate caliphate The four caliphs to succeed Muhammad as the leader of the Islamic community were all important companions of the Prophet, and they are known as the Rightly Guided Caliphs, making up the Rashidun Caliphate. This time is considered the golden age of Islam, when its leaders adhered closely to the practices established by Muhammad. 634 Umar Becomes Second Caliph After the death of Abu Bakr, Umar (c. 591-644) succeeds him as caliph of Islam. During his reign, the Islamic empire undergoes an enormous military expansion. 635-641 Significant Expansion of Islamic Empire Muslim armies conquer Syria, Persia, Alexandria, and Jerusalem. 644 Uthman Becomes Third Caliph Umar is assassinated by a Persian slave. Uthman succeeds him as Islams leader. c. 650 Compilation of the Quran Muhammad’s orally transmitted revelations are collected and recorded in a single authorized version of the Quran. 656 Ali Becomes Fourth Caliph Uthman is assassinated by dissenting Muslims and succeeded by ‘Ali, Muhammads cousin and son-in-law. 656-661 First Civil War Ali encounters opposition to his rule. He defeats opposing armies, but the factions involved in the conflict later split into two distinct sects, Sunni Muslims and shii Muslims. 656 The Battle of Camel Ali faces an opposing army led by Aisha, widow of Muhammad and daughter of the first caliph Abu Bakr. Aishas army is defeated, and she is allowed to return home. The battle is supposedly named for the camel upon which Aisha rode. 657 Battle of Siffin Ali faces an army led by Muawiyah, a relative of Uthman who felt that Ali had not made sufficient attempts to find and punish those responsible for the death of the previous caliph. Alis army was on the point of victory when Muawiyah instructed his army to fasten pages of the Quran to the points of their spears. Unwilling to attack under such circumstances, Ali agreed to have the conflict settled by arbitration, a decision that angered many of his followers and ultimately led to his death and the end of the Rashudin Caliphate. 661 Muawiyah Becomes Caliph Ali is assassinated by dissenting Muslims, and Muawiyah seizes power, ending the Rashidun Caliphate and establishing a family dynasty. 661-750 The Umayyad Caliphate The Umayyad dynasty established by Muawiyah rules for nearly a century from their capital at Damascus. The Islamic Empire continues to expand through military conquests during their reign. 680 Death of Husayn Husayn, Alis son and Muhammads grandson, challenges the rule of Yazid I, accusing the caliph of corruption and insisting that proper leadership of Islam belongs to the descendents of Muhammad. He and his small band of followers are massacred near Karbala (present-day Iraq), further dividing the factions that would later become Sunni Muslims and Shii Muslims. 691 The Dome of the Rock Dome of the Rock The Dome of the Rock is built in Jerusalem. It is the oldest Islamic monument, one of Jerusalems and Islams most recognizable structures. c. 700 Rise of Sufism Sufism Muslim ascetics lay the foundations of Sufism, a mystical movement within Islam that focuses on personal experience with God. 705-715 Umayyad Mosque The Umayyads convert the Christian Cathedral of St. John in Damascus into a Muslim mosque. Today the mosque is one of Islams oldest and most sacred sites. 711 Conquest of Hispania Muslims cross the Strait of Gibraltar and invade the Iberian Peninsula. They control large portions of the peninsula for centuries, living with Jews and Christians and shaping Spanish history.. 732 Battle of Tours The Muslim advance into present-day France via the Iberian Peninsula is halted by the armies of Frankish leader Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours. 744-750 Third Civil War Dissenting Muslims claiming familial ties to Muhammad challenge the ruling Umayyads. Skirmishes lead to a full military rebellion and the eventual defeat of the Umayyad Caliphate. 750-1258 Abbasid Caliphate The family of Abbasids, who take their name from Muhammad’s uncle al-‘Abbas, establish Baghdad as their capital after the overthrow of the Umayyads and appoint Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah as first caliph of the Abbasid Caliphate. They rule for over five centuries, bringing Islam to the height of its civilization. 750-850 Four Schools of Islamic Religious Law Four major schools of Islamic law are established: Hanafi , Maliki , Sāfi’ī, and Hanbali These four schools are established by Muslim religious scholars rather than the caliphs. They become the most widely accepted interpretations of Islam by Sunni Muslims. 756-1031 The Umayyad Emirate Rises The Umayyad Emirate takes power in Cordova, Spain. Trade and Muslim culture prospered in the Iberian peninsula during this period. 765 Death of Jafar Jafar al-Sadiq , sixth imam of Shii Islam and influential religious teacher, dies. Disputes over his proper successor lead to a split among Shiah—Ismaili and Twelvers. c. 765 Jafari School of Religious Law After the death of Jafar, his theological followers develop a school of religious law based on his teachings. The Jafari school becomes the most widely accepted school of Islamic law for Shi’i Muslims. c. 768 First Written Biography of Muhammad The first written biography of Muhammad is recorded by Muhammad Ibn Ishaq. This first written record of the Prophets life was followed by numerous biographical accounts. 786 Great Mosque of Cordova The Umayyad Emirate constructs the Great Mosque of Cordova (in present-day Spain) under the direction of Abd al-Rahman I. 850-875 Collection of Hadith Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari Muhammad Ibn Ismail al-Bukhari and Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, important scholars of the accounts of Muhammads sayings and actions, collect, authenticate, and compile hadith7 into the first two authentic collections. 899 Rise of Qarmatians A split among Ismaili Shiah leads to the rise of the Qarmatian faction. Qarmatians actively revolt against the ruling Abbasids. 920-1171 The Fatimid Dynasty Ismaili Shiah take control over parts of northern Africa and establish a community independent from Sunn? caliphs. After founding Cairo and establishing the city as its capital, the Fatimid Dynasty rules for over two centuries. 929 The Black Stone is Stolen The Qarmatians, members of a Shi’ite sect, sack Mecca. During this time, they take the sacred Black Stone from the Ka’bah. 945 Islamic Rule Decentralized A Shi’ite band invades Baghdad undermining the Abbasid caliphs, who have become little more than figureheads. Until the 16th century, the rule of Islam is decentralized with different sects, regions, and rulers. 946 (or 951) The Black Stone is Returned The Qarmatians restore the Black Stone to the Holy Ka’bah. 970 Al-Azhar Founded. Al-Azhar is founded by Muslims in Cairo, Egypt. It has the designation of being one of the oldest centers for learning in the Middle East. 997 India Raided by Muslims Mahmoud of Ghazni, called the “Sword of Islam,” led a series of raids on northern India. He destroys various temples, statues, and other religious art. This is one of the main roots of anti-Muslim thought among Hindus. 1095-1099 The First Crusade is Launched Christians engage in the first crusade against the Muslims. The Christians eventually accomplish their goal and recapture Jerusalem for Christendom. 1100 The Muslim Population Rises The Muslims are weakened by internal conflicts as well as the crusade. Despite this loss, Muslims now make up roughly 5% of the world’s population. 1145 The Second Crusade is Launched The second crusade is launched. The Muslims win by resisting a Christian siege of Damascus. 1187 The Third Crusade is Launched The Muslims recapture Jerusalem from the Christians. The third crusade is launched. 1229 Jerusalem Returns to Christian Control Jerusalem is restored to Christians by the Kurdish sultan, al-Malik al Kamil. He forges a temporary alliance with the Christians. 1245 Jerusalem Recaptured There was not enough territory near Jerusalem that was controlled by Christians. As it was difficult to defend, Muslims quickly recaptured Jerusalem. 1258 The Mongols Invade the Middle East Mongol armies conquer Baghdad, almost ending the Abbasid Caliphate. Three years later, their rule resumes, now based in Mamluk, Egypt. Abbasid rule lasts until 1519 when the Ottoman Empire formally took over. c. 1300 The Ottoman Empire is Founded Osman I, a Muslim prince, consolidates power in Asia Minor. He establishes the Ottoman Empire, which exists until World War I. 1370-1401 The Timurid Empire is Founded Seeking to restore the great Mongol Empire, Tamerlane establishes an empire in Persia, Iraq, and Syria. Although he was Muslim, it is unclear whether which sect he belonged to. 1501-1723 The Safavid Empire is Established The Safavid Empire is founded in Persia by Shah Ismail I. The Twelver school of Shi’ite Islam is declared its official religion. 1517 Some Unity Restored to Islam The Ottoman Sultan Selim I adopts the title of caliph. This restores a sense of unity to Islam, but not actual unity. 1750 The Wahhabi Movement Begins The Wahhabi movement is founded by Muhammad Ibn Abd-al-Wahhab. It operates as an additional sect of Islam. 1914 Arab Nationalism Secret Arab nationalist societies are formed. 1914 World War I The Ottoman Empire enters World War I. By this point, it controls Anatolia, most of the Arabian peninsula, Egypt, and the Sudan. 1922 The Ottoman Empire Falls The Ottoman Empire officially ends. Two years later, the office of caliph is abolished. Islam has no collective, official political identity, but Muslims dominate many secular states in northern Africa, the Near and Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Central and Southeast Asia. 1928 The Muslim Brotherhood is Founded Hasan al-Banna Hasan al-Banna founds the Muslim Brotherhood. It is a non-violent movement seeking to restore order in the Muslim world through the Quran and Sunni Islam Sunni Islam . 1936 Muslim-Jewish Fighting in Palestine Increased Jewish immigration leads to fighting in Palestine. 1945 Formation of the Arab League The Arab League is formed to foster relations between Arabic countries and to safeguard their independence. 1947 Pakistan is Founded Muslim-majority area in India becomes Pakistan. Riots were caused as millions of Hindus moved to India proper and millions of Muslims moved to the newly established Pakistan. 1948 Israel is Founded Creation of state of Israel leads to hostility between Muslims and Jews in Palestine. The Arab-Israeli War is fought that same year. As a result of the war, the “Green Line” is established to officially separate Israel from neighboring states. 1948-1949 Hasan al-Banna Killed The Muslim Brotherhood is disbanded by the Prime Minister of Egypt. When the Prime Minister is assassinated, Hasan al-Banna, leader and founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, condemned this act, stating that terror is not an acceptable practice for the Brotherhood. Shortly after, al-Banna is also assassinated. 1965 Malcolm X Killed Malcolm X, an African-American Muslim and civil rights activist is assassinated. 1979 The Pahlavi Dynasty Falls The Islamic Revolution ends the Pahlavi dynasty in Iran. This revolution was led by Islamic clergy who were irritated by the socioeconomic reform advocated by the Iranian Shah. c. 2000 Muslim Population Increases The Muslim population grows to 20% of world’s total. Islam thus becomes the second-largest religion in the world.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 23:42:31 +0000
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