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After the death of Muhammad the Ummah (community of Muslims) were transitioned into chaos ans his most trusted advisers came together to choose the next caliph (Arabic word meaning "successor"). The four contenders that stood out were Ali his cousin, son-in-law, and father to his grandsons, the other three contenders were trusted advisers and respected companions Umar, Uthman, and Abu Bakr his father-in-law. As they finally choose the first caliph it was Abu Bakr.

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As Abu Bakr became the first caliph his first job was to reunite the/ put down the revolts of the tribes who renounced Islam after the death of Muhammad all at the . So he convinced these tribes that the state was still strong. Thus because of this the Arabs were once again united under the leadership of Abu Backr. After the Ummah once again extended it's rule east into Mesopotamia and north into Syria. Although he was the first caliph he only was in power for two years, before his death in 634 he appointed Umar as the next caliph

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Umar was appointed by Abu Backr at the age of 61 before his death.  Umar, a spirited, and energetic leader he motivated his armies to conquer more lands. As they conquered more lands the were very tolerant towards people of the book. These Jews and Christians were allowed to keep their churches and synagogues and also promised them security, because of this many of the people who were persecuted by Persian and Byzantine conquerors, such as Christians in Egypt and Jews in Syria, and even welcomed Muslim rule. They favored them so much that they even aided them in their take -overs. Another thing that made people under his rule unite as even people who are non-Muslim and non-Judeo-Christian groups were granted status of those people of the book. On his deathbed in 644 he created a council/ assembly to choose the next Caliph. The next caliph they choose was Uthman .

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Like the former Caliph he in turn conquered other lands to expand their empire. The Muslim forces pushed into North Africa and completed the conquest for Persia.

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As Uthman was assassinated his cousin Muawiya who had developed followers in Syria where he was governor

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After the death of Ali the Sunni and the Shia tribes were created after the death of Ali. The Shia tribe were Ali's followers. They believed that the first three caliphs should have been blood relatives of Muhammad Shia scholars denied the legitimacy of the first three caliphs. Then when Ali became the fourth caliph they gave him the title of the first Imam, meaning divinely guided successor of Muhammad. This concept of the Imam took on a strong sense of spiritual authority. The Sunnis are those who claim to follow the Sunna, or example of the prophet Muhammad, are know as Sunni Muslims. They accept the election for the first four caliphs, called the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. They do not believe in the belief of Imam as the Shias. The sunnis believe that every individual has a direct relationship with Allah/God.

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Map of the Umayyad Empire at its Height - Patrick

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Map of the Umayyad Empire at its Height - Patrick

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Topography of the Arabian Peninsula - Alejandro

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Topography of the Arabian Peninsula - Alejandro

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The Arabian Peninsula is the  largest peninsula in the world, which consists of Yemen, Oman Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arabia Emirates. It also consists parts of Jordan and Iraq. Did you know before this era that the Arabian Peninsula was divided into four regions? The first region was Hejaz. The second region was Najd. These regions both made up most of Saudi Arabia. The third region was Eastern Arabia, which consisted of the entire coastal strip of the Persian Gulf. The last region is Southern Arabia, which consists Yemen, Najran, Jizan, Asir and Oman.

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Umayyad dynasty, also spelled Omayyad, was the first great Muslim dynasty.  The Umayyads were largely merchants that initially resisted Islam. They were ruled by Abu Sufyan. They did not convert to Islam until 627 and quickly served as important administrators of Muhammad. The first Muslim civil war brought changes in the leadership and Muawiyah, the governor of Syria, established himself as the first Umayyad caliph.

Umayyad was divided into two branches by family: the Sufyanids ruled from 661-684 and the Marwanids ruled from 684-750. The Sufyanids, under Muawiyah, centralized authority in Damascus making it a united empire with control over other lands with the support of the Syrian army.

Although traditionally, caliphs were chosen by peers and received advice of a shura, or a tribal council, Muawiyah changed this practice. With his son, Yazid, Muawiyah began the practice of succession through a hereditary line. The civil war led to the deaths of Yazid and Muawiyah, and Sufyanid rule also came to an end. Marwan took over in 684.

The Umayyad caliphate reached its peak under the rule of Abd ad-Malik. Muslim armies invaded in all directions and conquered many lands. Arabic became the official language, the financial administration reorganized, and a Arabic coin system replaced the previous system, and communication was improved through the postal service.

Umayyad began its decline when the Syrian army was defeated by Leo III of the Byzantine emperor. A financial crisis erupted and feuds between the southern and northern Arabic tribes weakened military forces.

Marwan II was the last Umayyad to rule until he was defeated at the Battle of the Great Zab River in 750.

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Map of the Ottoman Empire at its Height - Tulsi

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Map of the Ottoman Empire at its Height - Tulsi

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The Abbasid Empire was a major dynasty that ruled over the Islamic Empire over its peak. Like the Umayyad Empire, the leader of the Abbasids was called the caliph. During the time of the Abbasids, the caliph was usually the son (or other closest male relative) of the previous Caliph.

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Map of Abbasid Empire at its Height - Patrick

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Map of Abbasid Empire at its Height - Patrick

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The Abbasid Empire had two major period. The first period lasted from 750-1258 CE. During this period the Abbasid's were strong leaders who controlled a vast territory and created a culture that is often referred to as The Golden Age of Islam. However, in 1258 CE,the capital city of Baghad was sacked by the Mongols, causing the Abbasid's to flee to Egypt. The second period lasted from 1261-1517 CE. During this time the Abbasid Empire was locatedd in Cairo, Egypt. While, the Abbasid's were still considered the religious leaders of the Islamic world, a different group, the Mamlucks held the true military and political power.

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The Abbasid Empire ruled over a large empire that included the Middle East, western Asia, and northeast Africa (including Egypt).

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The early part of the Abbasid rule was a time of peace and prosperity. Great advances were made in many areas of science, mathematics, and medicine. Schools of higher education and libraries were built throughout the empire. The culture flourished as Arabic art and architecture reached new heights. This period lasted from around 790 CE to 1258 CE. It is often referred to as the Golden Age of Islam.

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The early 1200s saw the rise of the Mongol Empire in eastern Asia. The Mongols conquered China and then began their march west to the Middle East. In 1258, the Mongols arrived at Baghdad, the capital city of the Abbasid Caliphate. The Caliph at the time believed that Baghdad could not be conquered and refused to meet the Mongols' demands. The leader of the Mongols, Hulagu Khan, then set siege to the city. In less than two weeks Baghdad had surrendered and the Caliph was put to death.

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In 1261, the Abbasid's reclaimed the Caliphate from Cairo, Egypt. The real power in Egypt was a group of former slave warriors called the Mamluks. The Mamluks ran the government and the armies, while the Abbasid's had authority over the Islam religion. Together they ruled the Caliphate from Cairo until 1517 when they were conquered by the Ottoman Empire.

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The Ottoman Empire was the last of three Islamic Dynasties. It was also one of the largest and longest lasting empires in world history. The Ottoman Empire was founded near the end of the 13th century by Osman Gazi, in what is now Söğüt, Turkey. They ruled from 1299 until they were later dissolved in 1922.

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Important Dates/Events in Early Ottoman History - Patrick

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Important Dates/Events in Early Ottoman History - Patrick

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c. 1299, The Ottoman Empire was founded by Osman I.
July 1302, The Battle Of Bapheus
The first war between the Ottomans and the Byzantine. The battle ended in an Ottoman Victory.
1326, Death of Sultan Osman Gazi
After Osman I death in the August of 1326, his first son Orhan Gazi took his place as the leader of the Ottoman Turks.
1329, Battle of Pelekanon
After successfully conquering the city of Bursa, the Ottomans seized Bythinia and the northwestern corner of Anatolia. They would later on conquer the city of Nicaea in the following year.
March 1362, Death of Orhan Gazi
Murad I succeeded his father's place as the leader of the Ottomans.
1385-87, Battle of Pločnik
The war between the Ottomans and the Moravian Serbians. The war ended in a Serbian Victory.
1389, Battle of Kosovo
Murad I lost his life in this war, fulfilling his conquest of seizing most of Serbia. His son Bayezid I succeeded his place to the throne.
1399, Grand Mosque of Bursa
Bayezid I ordered the production of the Bursa Grand Mosque, for conquering Bulgaria in the Battle of Nicopolis.

1413, Battle of Çamurlu

After Bayezid I death, his two sons Musa Çelebi and Mehmed Çelebi fought for his place in the throne. The battle resulted in Mehemed Çelebi's Victory.
March 1432, Birth of Mehmed the Conquerer
Mehmed II, also known as Mehmed the Conquerer was the 7th Ottoman Sultan. He conquered Constantinople and the Eastern Roman Empire.
1444, Battle of Varna
The Ottoman Empire fought against the Hungarian-Polish and Wallachian Empires. It was the last battle of the Crusade of Varna. The battle resulted in Ottoman Victory.