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This timeline shows the emergence of the Rashidun Caliphate and the Arabization of the countries surrounding the Arabian peninsula. The spread of Islam and the Arabs in the 7th century is an extremely important event in Middle Eastern and world history, shaping the world we live in today
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Upon Abu Bakr's ascension to Caliph of the Muslims, many Arab tribes rebelled, some taking advantage of the controversial transition of power, some believing he was not fit to rule. Regardless, after a year of fighting Abu Bakr was able to control the Arabian peninsula, and was now able to focus his efforts outside.
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The death of Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam and leader of the Arabs marked the beginning of the Rashidun caliphate. Following his death, his successors, starting with Abu Bakr would come to conquer much of what we consider today as the Arab world. -
Abu Bakr was Caliph of the Muslims for 2 years, and died securing control of the Arabian peninsula, as well as seizing territory in Syria and Iraq. Much of the success of this period was due to genius but controversial general Khalid ibn-al-Waleed, whose tactics led to many Arab victories against the Byzantines and Sassanids.
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Best friend of Abu Bakr, Umar ibn al-Khattab would reign as caliph for 10 years, conquering much of the Middle East.
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The Muslim's victory over Byzantine Ajnadayn marked the beginning of a series of conquests across the Levant, Mesopotamia and Persia which would solidify Muslim rule over the Middle East -
After Abu Bakr's death, Umar defeats the Byzantines at the Battle of Yarmuk, bringing Syria into the Caliphate, along with great wealth and fortune. -
By the year 637, the Arabs had defeated most of the Byzantines in the Levantine region, which would rapidly become Arabized and Muslim. -
By 638, much of Mesopotamia was conquered by the Arabs from the Persians, allowing the Arabs to further invade into Persia's heartland.
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By 646, Egypt and parts of North Africa were conquered by the Muslims, led by Amr ibn al-As. Egypt would soon become the breadbasket of the Islamic world, and once Arabized, the heart of Arab culture. -
By 650, most of Persia, from Ctesiphon to Khorasan was conquered by the Arabs, and would soon become a hub of Islamic culture and knowledge
