Spread and Decline of Islam

Muhammad dies

Jan 1, 632

His death lead his followers to grief, but Abu Bakr tried to keep the faith by telling people that "If you worship Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If you worship God, God is alive. Abu Bakr was the first caliph/successor to Muhammad. What he said, helped people strengthen and reassure their religious beliefs. This event actually helped with the spread of Islam by making people feel responsible for the spread of their population.

Ali is Assasinated

Jan 1, 661

Ali became the fourth caliph following his father-in-law's death (Muhammad). He was killed 29 years after Muhammad in a struggle for worship. Ali was supported by the Shiites who thought that only a decedent of Muhammad should be a caliph which the Sunnis disagreed with. Later, Ali's son and many other Shiites were killed too.

Umayyad conquests slowed

Jan 1, 700

As the Umayyad conquered lands, they would rely on local officials to govern their empire. Economic tension increased between wealthy Arabs and those not as wealthy. Many Muslims drew angry at the court in Damascus because the early simple ways of the caliphs were being abandoned.

Muslims crossed the strait of Gibraltar

Jan 1, 711

They ran after the conquering of Egypt and North Africa. After crossing the strait, they went into Spain, and pushed into northern France. This definitely helped the spread of Islam because Abu Bakr lead them united to conquer lands on a military conquest.

Defeated at the Battle of Tours

Jan 1, 732

The Muslims ruled parts of Spain for hundreds of years but they did not continue their advancement into Western Europe. This did not help with the growth and spread of Islam. They also failed to take the capital of Constantinople.

The Umayyad family dynasty and the capture of a leader

Jan 1, 750

The Umayyad family had set up a dynasty until 750 that ruled the Islamic World. They directed conquests from their capital at Damascus in Syria. These conquests carried Islam from the Atlantic to the Indus Valley and highly spread Islam. Muslims found a leader captured and one general invited members of the Umayyad family to a dinner. There, the general killed all of them. Abu Al-Abbas then founded the Abbassid dynasty.

Abbissid control fragments

Jan 1, 850

Towards the beginning of 850, the Abbissid control over Arab empire starts to fail. Independent dynasties ruled separate Muslim states in Spain, Egypt and more. Caliph's power started to fail and this had an impact on the decline of Islam.

Invasions and Migrations

Jan 1, 900

Between 900 and 1400, some invasions added to the chaos. In 900, the Seljuk Turks migrated from central Asia to the middle eastern area. They adopted Islam which helped expand it, and built a huge empire along the Fertile Crescent. This assisted in the spread of Islam.

Sultan ruled Baghdad

Jan 1, 1055

A Seljuk Sultan controlled the Baghdad, and left the Abbassid as a figurehead so it didn't have much real power. The Byzantine empire was threatened by the Seljuk's pushing into Asia.

First Crusade

Jan 1, 1095

In 1095, there were reports of Seljuk interference. This reported interference was with Christian Pilgrims that were traveling to Jerusalem. Pope Urban II was led by this to call for the first Crusade.

Christian Crusaders Capture Jerusalem

Jan 1, 1099

After a long time of bloody siege, the Christians finally captured Jerusalem. The city passed back and forth between Muslim and Christian Religion for 150 years. This was both bad and good for the spread of Islam.

Christians are ousted

Jan 1, 1187

A big growth for the spread of Islam is in 1187. The Muslim general (Salah al-Din) finally overcame the Christians from Jerusalem. This was a significant spread of Islam.

Mongols led out of Asia

Jan 1, 1216

Genghiz Khan led mongols from central Asia across Persia and Mesopotamia. The armies returned over and over again. This had a decent affect on Islam.

Abbassid dynasty ends

Jan 1, 1258

The dynasty ended all Arab dominance and lead to making Islam a truly universal religion, which is a very significant achievement. The Muslim civilization was in a golden age with the caliphs reaching its greatest wealth and power under the early Abbassids. This was very good in the spread of Islam.

Mongol leader led into the middle east

Jan 1, 1300

Toward the end of the 1300's, the mongol leader Tamerlane led armies into the middle east. Tamerlane himself was a Muslim but, his ambitions led him to conquer lands both Muslim and non-Muslim, and the armies had a negative effect on the spread of Islam.

Christians fought to conquer Spain.

Jan 1, 1492

Finally in 1492, Christians seized the last Muslim strong hold, reconquering Spain. There were still many Muslim rulers in Spain. The arts thrives and they were more tolerant of other religions.
Overall, the reconquering over Spain was a major decline for Islam.

The final crumble of the empire

Jan 1, 1520

Arab empire has fragmented and fallen. Independent Muslims were now scattered all over the world. Even with this failing empire, Islam managed to link enormous areas of diverse people all all over the world.