The history of islam
Timeline of Islam's History
570 CE
Birth of Prophet Muhammad
Birth of Prophet Muhammad
610 CE
Muhammad receives first vision in a cave near Mecca.
Muhammad receives first vision in a cave near Mecca.
610-22 CE
Muhammad preaches in Mecca.
Muhammad preaches in Mecca.
622 CE
Hijira - Muhammad and followers flee to Madinah.
Islamic calendar (AH, Anno Hegirae) begins.
Hijira - Muhammad and followers flee to Madinah.
Islamic calendar (AH, Anno Hegirae) begins.
624 CE
Muslims successfully attack Meccan caravans at Badr.
Muslims successfully attack Meccan caravans at Badr.
625 CE
Muslims are defeated by Meccans at Uhud.
Muslims are defeated by Meccans at Uhud.
630 CE
Muslims capture Mecca. Ka'ba is cleansed, pilgrimage rites are Islamicized, tribes of Arabia vow allegiance to Muhammad
Muslims capture Mecca. Ka'ba is cleansed, pilgrimage rites are Islamicized, tribes of Arabia vow allegiance to Muhammad
632 CE
Death of Muhammad. Abu Bakr chosen as caliph.
Death of Muhammad. Abu Bakr chosen as caliph.
632-33 CE
Wars of ridda (apostasy) restore allegiance to Islam
Wars of ridda (apostasy) restore allegiance to Islam
633 CE
Muslim conquests (Futuhat) begin.
Muslim conquests (Futuhat) begin.
633-42 CE
Muslim armies take the Fertile Crescent (Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia), North African coast, parts of Persian and Byzantine Empires
Muslim armies take the Fertile Crescent (Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia), North African coast, parts of Persian and Byzantine Empires
c. 650 CE
Caliph Uthman has the Qur'an written down.
Caliph Uthman has the Qur'an written down.
656 CE
Uthman is murdered; Ali becomes fourth caliph.
Uthman is murdered; Ali becomes fourth caliph.
657 CE
Battle of Siffin. Mu'awiya, governor of Syria, claims the caliphate.
Battle of Siffin. Mu'awiya, governor of Syria, claims the caliphate.
659 CE
Arbitration at Adruh is opposed by Ali's supporters.
Arbitration at Adruh is opposed by Ali's supporters.
661 CE
Ali is murdered; Mu'awiya becomes caliph. Beginning of Umayyad Caliphate (661-750).
Ali is murdered; Mu'awiya becomes caliph. Beginning of Umayyad Caliphate (661-750).
680 CE CE
Death of Husayn marks beginning of the Shi'at Ali ("party of Ali") or Shi'a sect. CE >
Death of Husayn marks beginning of the Shi'at Ali ("party of Ali") or Shi'a sect. CE >
685-705 CE
Reign of Abd al-Malik. Centralization of administration - Arabic becomes official written language (instead of Greek and Persian) and Arab coinage is established.
Reign of Abd al-Malik. Centralization of administration - Arabic becomes official written language (instead of Greek and Persian) and Arab coinage is established.
late 600s CE
Ruling classes in East and West Africa convert to Islam.
Ruling classes in East and West Africa convert to Islam.
700-800s CE
Groups of ascetics and mystics begin to form
Groups of ascetics and mystics begin to form
710 CE
Arab armies enter Spain from North Africa.
Arab armies enter Spain from North Africa.
732 CE
Muslim empire reaches its furthes extent. Battle of Tours prevents further advance northwards. CE
Muslim empire reaches its furthes extent. Battle of Tours prevents further advance northwards. CE
747 CE
Revolt defeats the Umayyads.
Revolt defeats the Umayyads.
750 CE
Abu l'Abbas becomes caliph in Iraq
Abu l'Abbas becomes caliph in Iraq
754 CE
Baghdad (Madinat al-Salam, "city of peace") becomes the new capital of the Abbasid empire.
Baghdad (Madinat al-Salam, "city of peace") becomes the new capital of the Abbasid empire.
755 CE
Abd ar-Rahman founds an Umayyad Dynasty in Cordoba, Spain.
Abd ar-Rahman founds an Umayyad Dynasty in Cordoba, Spain.
765 CE
Division within Shi'ites - majority are the modern Imamiyya (Twelvers) who co-exist with Abbasid caliphs; minority are more extreme Isma'iliyaa (Seveners).
Division within Shi'ites - majority are the modern Imamiyya (Twelvers) who co-exist with Abbasid caliphs; minority are more extreme Isma'iliyaa (Seveners).
786-809 CE
Reign of Harun ar-Rashid, best known through the stories of The Thousand and One Nights.
Reign of Harun ar-Rashid, best known through the stories of The Thousand and One Nights.
800s CE
Written collections of Hadith (sayings of the Prophet) are compiled. Sicily comes under Muslim rule.
Written collections of Hadith (sayings of the Prophet) are compiled. Sicily comes under Muslim rule.
813-33 CE
Reign of Ma'mun. Theological controversy over whether the Qur'an is created or uncreated and eternal. Center for translation of texts from Greek to Arabic founded in Baghdad.
Reign of Ma'mun. Theological controversy over whether the Qur'an is created or uncreated and eternal. Center for translation of texts from Greek to Arabic founded in Baghdad.
869-883 CE
Uprisings of black slaves (Zanj) are eventually defeated.
Uprisings of black slaves (Zanj) are eventually defeated.
908 CE
First Fatimid caliph in Tunisia.
First Fatimid caliph in Tunisia.
928 CE
Umayyad Abd ar-Rahman III declares himself caliph in Cordoba.
Umayyad Abd ar-Rahman III declares himself caliph in Cordoba.
940 CE
Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth imam, disappears. Twelvers still await the future return of the "Hidden Imam."
Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth imam, disappears. Twelvers still await the future return of the "Hidden Imam."
945 CE
The Buyids (Persian) invade Baghdad and take power from caliph.
The Buyids (Persian) invade Baghdad and take power from caliph.
969 CE
Fatimids gain power in Egypt and attack Palestine, Syria, and Arabia. Cairo (Al-Qahira, "the victorious city") is founded.
Fatimids gain power in Egypt and attack Palestine, Syria, and Arabia. Cairo (Al-Qahira, "the victorious city") is founded.
980-1037 CE
Life of Avicenna, Iranian physician and Aristotelian philosopher.
Life of Avicenna, Iranian physician and Aristotelian philosopher.
996-1021 CE
Reign of Fatimid al-Hakim. Hamza ibn Ali forms basis of esoteric Druze religion.
Reign of Fatimid al-Hakim. Hamza ibn Ali forms basis of esoteric Druze religion.
late 900s CE
West Africa begins to convert to Islam
West Africa begins to convert to Islam
1030 CE
Umayyad caliphate in Cordoba defeated by the Christian Reconquista.
Umayyad caliphate in Cordoba defeated by the Christian Reconquista.
1055 CE
Seljuk Turks take Baghdad; Abbasids now only nominal rulers.
Seljuk Turks take Baghdad; Abbasids now only nominal rulers.
1000s CE
Reconquista takes more of Spain, Sicily falls to the Normans, Crusader kingdoms are briefly established in Palestine and Syria.
Reconquista takes more of Spain, Sicily falls to the Normans, Crusader kingdoms are briefly established in Palestine and Syria.
1071 CE
Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantines at Battle of Manzikert.
Seljuk Turks defeat Byzantines at Battle of Manzikert.
1090 CE
Hasan-i Sabbah takes Alamut in the Persian mountains, the Assassin sect forms around him.
Hasan-i Sabbah takes Alamut in the Persian mountains, the Assassin sect forms around him.
1099 CE
Christian Crusaders take Jerusalem.
Christian Crusaders take Jerusalem.
1100-1200s CE
Sufi orders (turuq) are founded.
Sufi orders (turuq) are founded.
1126-98 CE
Life of Averroës, Muslim philosopher from Cordoba who sought to integrate Islam with Greek thought.
Life of Averroës, Muslim philosopher from Cordoba who sought to integrate Islam with Greek thought.
1171 CE
Fatimid power ends in Egypt with the conquests of Saladin.
Fatimid power ends in Egypt with the conquests of Saladin.
1174 CE
Saladin declares himself sultan of Egypt and Syria.
Saladin declares himself sultan of Egypt and Syria.
1193 CE
Death of Saladin; most of Crusader states have returned to Islam.
Death of Saladin; most of Crusader states have returned to Islam.
1200s CE
Assassins wipes out by the Mongols. Indian rulers in Delhi take title of Sultan. Spanish mystic Muhyi al-Din ibn al-Arabi (1165-1240) flourishes.
Assassins wipes out by the Mongols. Indian rulers in Delhi take title of Sultan. Spanish mystic Muhyi al-Din ibn al-Arabi (1165-1240) flourishes.
1221 CE
Genghis Khan and the Mongols enter Persia.
Genghis Khan and the Mongols enter Persia.
1241 CE
Mongols take the Punjab.
Mongols take the Punjab.
1258 CE
Mongols capture Baghdad; city is sacked and caliph is killed. End of Abbasid caliphate.
Mongols capture Baghdad; city is sacked and caliph is killed. End of Abbasid caliphate.
1281-1324 CE
Reign of Uthman (Osman), who founds the Ottoman Empire. Muslim merchants and missionary Sufis settle in SE Asia.
Reign of Uthman (Osman), who founds the Ottoman Empire. Muslim merchants and missionary Sufis settle in SE Asia.
mid-1300s CE
Ottomans capture Bursa and Iznik and move into Europe.
Ottomans capture Bursa and Iznik and move into Europe.
1366 CE
Capital of Ottoman Empire moved from Bursa to Adrianople.
Capital of Ottoman Empire moved from Bursa to Adrianople.
late 1300s CE
Ottomans take control of the Balkans.
Ottomans take control of the Balkans.
1400s CE
Islam reaches the Philippines.
Islam reaches the Philippines.
1453 CE CE
Mehmet Fatih (rules 1451-81) conquers Constantinople.
The two halves of the Ottoman Empire are united and the sultan becomes Byzantine emperor.
Mehmet Fatih (rules 1451-81) conquers Constantinople.
The two halves of the Ottoman Empire are united and the sultan becomes Byzantine emperor.
1492 CE
Castile and Aragon capture Granada. All Muslims (and Jews) expelled from Spain.
Castile and Aragon capture Granada. All Muslims (and Jews) expelled from Spain.
1501 CE
Isma'il (1487-1524) claims to be the Hidden Imam and is proclaimed Shah (king) of Persia. Twelver Shi'ism becomes official religion of Persia.
Isma'il (1487-1524) claims to be the Hidden Imam and is proclaimed Shah (king) of Persia. Twelver Shi'ism becomes official religion of Persia.
1516 CE
Ottomans conquer Syria and Egypt.
Ottomans conquer Syria and Egypt.
1517 CE
Ottomans control Mecca and Madinah.
Ottomans control Mecca and Madinah.
1520-66 CE
Reign of Suleyman the Magnificent; Ottoman Empire reaches its zenith. Hungary and coastlands of Algeria and Tunisia come under Ottoman rule.
Reign of Suleyman the Magnificent; Ottoman Empire reaches its zenith. Hungary and coastlands of Algeria and Tunisia come under Ottoman rule.
1526 CE
Babur (Mongolian) seizes the Delhi sultanate and takes control of northern India.
Babur (Mongolian) seizes the Delhi sultanate and takes control of northern India.
1556 CE
Akbar founds the Mughal dynasty in northern India.
Akbar founds the Mughal dynasty in northern India.
1600-1700s CE
Venetians, Habsburgs, and Russians divide European Ottoman lands between them.
Venetians, Habsburgs, and Russians divide European Ottoman lands between them.
1625 CE
Java comes under rule of Muslim kingdom of Mataram.
Java comes under rule of Muslim kingdom of Mataram.
1699 CE
Treaty of Karlowitz confirms first substantial losses of Ottoman Empire in Europe.
Treaty of Karlowitz confirms first substantial losses of Ottoman Empire in Europe.
1700s CE
Muhammad Abd al-Wahhab rejects Sufism and all innovation (bid'a). Founds what becomes the Saudi Arabian kingdom. Hindus regain power from Mughals in northern India.
Muhammad Abd al-Wahhab rejects Sufism and all innovation (bid'a). Founds what becomes the Saudi Arabian kingdom. Hindus regain power from Mughals in northern India.
1738 CE
Mughal empire invaded by the Afghans.
Mughal empire invaded by the Afghans.
1779 CE
Afghans ousted by Qajar dynasty, which rules Persia until 1925.
Afghans ousted by Qajar dynasty, which rules Persia until 1925.
1798 CE
Napoleon's expedition to Egypt.
Napoleon's expedition to Egypt.
1805 CE
Muhammad Ali becomes governor of Egypt, which becomes independent of the Ottomans, gains control of western Arabia and extends into the Sudan.
Muhammad Ali becomes governor of Egypt, which becomes independent of the Ottomans, gains control of western Arabia and extends into the Sudan.
1807-76 CE
Tanzimat period. Ottoman Empire undergoes extensive program of modernization in government, law, and medicine.
Tanzimat period. Ottoman Empire undergoes extensive program of modernization in government, law, and medicine.
1830 CE
Greece regains independence from Ottomans.
Greece regains independence from Ottomans.
1850s CE
Non-Muslim Ottoman citizens granted equality with Muslims.
Non-Muslim Ottoman citizens granted equality with Muslims.
1858 CE
Last Mughal in India is deposed and India comes under British rule.
Last Mughal in India is deposed and India comes under British rule.
1876-1908 CE
Reign of Abd al-Hamid II; autocratic and religiously conservative period in Ottoman rule.
Reign of Abd al-Hamid II; autocratic and religiously conservative period in Ottoman rule.
1878 CE
Congress of Berlin recognizes independence of Balkan states previously under Muslim rule.
Congress of Berlin recognizes independence of Balkan states previously under Muslim rule.
1882-1952 CE
Egypt occupied by the British.
Egypt occupied by the British.
1908-18 CE
Last decade of Ottoman rule. Rise of nationalistic "Young Turks." More liberal policies develop.
Last decade of Ottoman rule. Rise of nationalistic "Young Turks." More liberal policies develop.
1912 CE
Founding of Islamic Union (Sareket Islam), a modernizing movement in SE Asia.
Founding of Islamic Union (Sareket Islam), a modernizing movement in SE Asia.
1918 CE
Fall of Ottoman Empire. League of Nations grants Britain mandatory status over Palestine and Iraq, and France over Lebanon and Syria.
Fall of Ottoman Empire. League of Nations grants Britain mandatory status over Palestine and Iraq, and France over Lebanon and Syria.
1923 CE
Republic of Turkey established. Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) is first president.
Republic of Turkey established. Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) is first president.
1927 CE
Tablighi Jamaat reform movement founded in India.
Tablighi Jamaat reform movement founded in India.
1928 CE
Ikhwan al-Muslimun (Muslim Brothers) founded in Egypt.
Ikhwan al-Muslimun (Muslim Brothers) founded in Egypt.
1941 CE
Jamaat-i Islami reform movement founded in Lahore, India.
Jamaat-i Islami reform movement founded in Lahore, India.
1945 CE
Indonesia becomes independent republic.
Indonesia becomes independent republic.
1945-60s CE
Islam spreads to the West with mass migrations from Asia, Africa, and India.
Islam spreads to the West with mass migrations from Asia, Africa, and India.
1947 CE
Pakistan founded as an Islamic nation. Islam becomes a minority religion in India.
Pakistan founded as an Islamic nation. Islam becomes a minority religion in India.
1957 CE
Independent Malayan state established with Islam as the official religion but guaranteed tolerance.
Independent Malayan state established with Islam as the official religion but guaranteed tolerance.
1960s CE
Familes from SE Asia and North Africa emigrate to Europe and the Americas.
Familes from SE Asia and North Africa emigrate to Europe and the Americas.
1979 CE
Shah of Iran is overthrown by Ayatullah Ruhullah Khumayni, who establishes strict fundamentalist rule of Shi'a principles.
Shah of Iran is overthrown by Ayatullah Ruhullah Khumayni, who establishes strict fundamentalist rule of Shi'a principles.
late 1990s CE
Taliban come to power in Afghanistan.
Taliban come to power in Afghanistan.
2001 CE
Muslim extremists attack the United States.
Muslim extremists attack the United States.
2003 CE
Saddam Hussein ousted by Western forces.
Saddam Hussein ousted by Western forces.