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Abu Bakr was the First Caliph after the death of Muhammad. During Abu Bakr’s rule he overtook the conquest of the Arabian Peninsula which began while Muhammad was still alive. Abu Bakr was successful in rapidly expanding the Arabian Peninsula and suppressing a series of political uprisings known as the riddah. (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Abu Bakr, Encyclopaedia Britannica, August 19, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abu-Bakr , November 18, 2020)
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Under Abu Bakr’s rule, the Battle of Yamama happened in Al-Yamama, Saudi Arabia. Al-Yamama stood in the way of access to the rebels in North Central Arabia. The last phase of the battle took place in a garden and became known as the “Garden of Death”. Because so many Huffaz Muslims were killed this brought the challenge of being able to carry out the writing of the Qur’an. (Battle of Yamama, October 29, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Yamama, November 18, 2020)
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The rule of Abu Bakr was short lived only lasting two years before his death. His rule was one of the most important, it was imperative that he led Muslims successfully so not to lose everything Muhammad had built. Abu Bakr’s political campaigns were successful in uniting the Arabian Peninsula and launching the conquests into Syria and Iraq. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Abu Bakr, Ancient History Encyclopedia, January 17, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Abu_Bakr/ , November 18, 2020)
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Umar was the Second Caliph and successor to Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr appointed Umar to succeed him because he relied greatly on him during his time as Caliph. Umar was ultimately responsible for an extraordinary expansion as well as bringing the Islamic State to become a world power. (Asma Afsaruddin, Umar I, Encyclopaedia Britannica, October 30, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Umar-I , November 18, 2020)
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The Battle of Yarmouk was a significant battle between the Muslim forces and the Christian Byzantine Empire. Military Commander Khalid strategically planned the six-day battle. On the final day the Byzantine army retreated in panic after a sand storm caused the Byzantine troops to fall to their deaths in a ravine. This battle ended the Byzantine rule in Syria. (Tony Bunting, Battle of Yarmouk, Encyclopaedia Britannica, March 23, 2017, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battle-of-Yarmouk-636 )
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The Muslim forces met the Sassanian Army in Iraq. The Muslim forces did not fair well but the untimely death of the Sassanian's Commander Rustam left the Sassanian Army weak and the Muslim forces defeated them and gained control of Iraq. The Muslim forces held strong in Iraq without forwarding into nearby Iran right away so not to lose their newly defeated territory. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Umar, Ancient History Encyclopedia, January 23, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Umar/ , November 18, 2020)
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After the defeat of the Byzantine Army Jerusalem had no backing force to help them defeat the Muslim forces. Jerusalem surrendered peacefully to Umar and the Muslim Army. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Umar, Ancient History Encyclopedia, January 23, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Umar/ , November 18, 2020)
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Umar died from wounds received during a random attack by a Persian slave. It is debated whether this was for personal or political reasons. Umar was well respected for his authoritative role and fairness for justice. His decade long leadership was fundamental in shaping Islam to what is has become. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Umar, Ancient History Encyclopedia, https://www.ancient.eu/Umar/ , Asma Afsaruddin, Umar I, Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Umar-I)
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Uthman was the Third Caliph appointed by a six-member counsel. Uthman was a less forceful ruler than Umar and was met with rebellion through his time. Uthman concentrated more on domestic policies but did continue the conquests of enlarging the Islamic Empire. (Asma Afsaruddin, Uthman ibn Affan, Encyclopaedia Britannica, June 13, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Uthman-ibn-Affan, and Syed Muhammad Khan, Uthman, Ancient History Encyclopedia,May 21, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Uthman/
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Under Uthman’s rule one of his greatest accomplishments was standardizing the Qur’an. As Islam grew Uthman realized the Qur’an was being read in different dialects and was worried the text may get misinterpreted. Uthman ordered one of Muhammad’s scribes to write a standardized copy, all unauthorized copies thereafter were destroyed. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Uthman, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 21, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Uthman/ , November 18, 2020)
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Uthman created a rebellion mostly because of his poor economic leadership. There were accusations that he redistributed the wealth of the empire back into his own family. He also created rebellion because of his lower military stipends, poor trade oversight, and inflation. During this time period a large rebellion broke out among Muslims in Egypt and Iraq. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Uthman, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 21, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Uthman/ , November 18, 2020)
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Uthman died after being attacked by rebels in his own home. The rebels scaled the walls of his home and found Uthman sitting and reading the Qur’an. The rebels attacked him and beheaded him in front of two of his wives who tried to protect him. There was much rebellion under Uthman’s rule and upon his death a divide was created among the Muslim community. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Uthman, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 21, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Uthman/ , November 18, 2020)
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Ali was the Fourth Caliph and was raised to power by companions of Muhammad. Ali took power with much opposition among the ummah especially after the brutal untimely murder of Uthman. Ali attempted to restore order and dismissed several corrupt figures from power, but the divide within the ummah was strong and a civil war soon started. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 25, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Ali_ibn_Abi_Talib/ , November 18, 2020)
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Muawiya, the governor of Syria, as well as Aisha and others that were Muhammad’s favorites demanded justice for Uthman's murder. Uthman’s enemies felt he had been killed justly. Leaders from both sides met with no luck and a war broke out. A radical group called the Kharijites was established after the long-standing disagreements. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 25, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Ali_ibn_Abi_Talib/, November 18, 2020)
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Ali ordered a successful military operation against the Kharijite. After the Kharijites were overtaken they resorted to concealed methods to obtain retribution against Ali. Ali was attacked with a poisoned sword by the Kharijite while offering prayer. Though his time as Caliph brought some failures he was remembered as being a hero and man of honor. (Syed Muhammad Khan, Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ancient History Encyclopedia, May 25, 2020, https://www.ancient.eu/Ali_ibn_Abi_Talib/ , November 18, 2020)