Rashidun Caliphate
First Islamic empire
The Rashidun Caliphate was the first Islamic state to follow the Prophet Muhammad's death, lasting from 632 to 661 CE.
Rashidun means "rightly guided" in Arabic, referring to the four caliphs—Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali—whom Sunni Muslims consider legitimate successors.
Under their rule, Arab armies conquered vast territories from Persia to North Africa.
The era remains central to debates between Sunni and Shia Islam over rightful succession.
Second Rashidun caliph
- AliArabic name, "sublime"
- successionFollowing in order
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- governanceHow authority is exercised
Medina · political authority · religious authority · head of state · Muslim community · assassination · companions
Largest Islamic denomination
Of Constantinople's civilization
- PersiaIran's former name
- LevantEastern Mediterranean coastal region
- EgyptNortheastern African nation
- DamascusSyrian seat of government
Jerusalem · Syria · Iraq · campaigns · armies · territory · siege · garrison
Muslim canonical jurisprudence
- diwanEastern council or sofa
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- provincesAdministrative regions within nations
- governorsState or provincial leaders
taxation · fay · public treasury · judicial system · qadi · consultation · accountability · stipends
Umar
Second Rashidun caliph
- AliArabic name, "sublime"
- successionFollowing in order
- leadershipAbility to direct others
governance · Medina · political authority · religious authority · head of state · Muslim community · assassination · companions
Sunni Islam
Largest Islamic denomination
Byzantine
Of Constantinople's civilization
Damascus · Jerusalem · Syria · Iraq · campaigns · armies · territory · siege · garrison · victory
sharia
Muslim canonical jurisprudence
- diwanEastern council or sofa
- administrationOrganizational oversight and control
- provincesAdministrative regions within nations
governors · taxation · fay · public treasury · judicial system · qadi · consultation · accountability · stipends · census
- Islamic EmpiresAbbasids, Ottoman Empire, Mughal Empire, Mughals, Safavid Empire
- CaliphatesUmar, Omar, Ali, Harun al-Rashid
- Rashidun CaliphateUmar, Ali, Medina, Basra, companions
- Umayyad CaliphateUmayyad dynasty, Damascus, emirs, emir, diwan
- empiresBritish Empire, Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, Persian Empire, Mongol Empire
- DynastiesHabsburgs, Ming Dynasty, Bourbons, Tang Dynasty, Tudors
Rashidun CaliphateUmayyad Caliphate
Early Islamic dynastic empire
hereditary monarchy · dynastic succession · Fatimid Caliphate · absolute monarchy · Imamate