Islamic History Timeline
Key events from the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through the rise and spread of Islamic civilisation.
Birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant. Orphaned early, raised by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib and then his uncle Abu Talib.
Marriage to Khadijah bint Khuwaylid
The Prophet ﷺ married Khadijah, a successful merchant and the first to embrace Islam. She remained his devoted supporter for 25 years.
First Revelation in Cave Hira
The angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) revealed the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq. This marked the beginning of Quranic revelation over the next 23 years.
Public Preaching Begins
After three years of private da’wah, the Prophet ﷺ began calling the people of Makkah publicly to monotheism (tawḥīd).
First Migration to Abyssinia
A group of early Muslims sought refuge with the Christian king Najāshī (Negus) of Abyssinia to escape Qurayshi persecution.
Year of Sorrow (‘Ām al-Ḥuzn)
Both Khadijah and Abu Talib passed away, leaving the Prophet ﷺ without his chief supporters. Persecution intensified.
Al-Isra’ wa al-Mi‘rāj (Night Journey)
The Prophet ﷺ was taken on a miraculous night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and then ascended through the heavens. The five daily prayers were prescribed.
The Hijrah to Madinah
The Prophet ﷺ and the early Muslims migrated from Makkah to Yathrib (Madinah), establishing the first Islamic community-state. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar.
Constitution of Madinah
A charter establishing the rights and duties of all citizens — Muslim, Jewish and pagan — in the new city-state. One of the earliest known written constitutions.
Battle of Badr
The first major military encounter between 313 Muslims and ~1,000 Qurayshi soldiers. A decisive Muslim victory that established the community's strength.
Battle of Uhud
The Quraysh returned with 3,000 men. Despite early success, Muslim archers left their posts, leading to a tactical setback and the injury of the Prophet ﷺ.
Battle of the Trench (Khandaq)
A coalition of 10,000 besieged Madinah. Salmān al-Fārisī suggested digging a trench — an innovative tactic that held the enemy at bay.
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
A ten-year peace treaty between the Muslims and Quraysh. Though seemingly unfavourable, the Quran called it a "clear victory" (Surah Al-Fath 48:1).
Conquest of Makkah (Fatḥ Makkah)
After Quraysh violated the treaty, 10,000 Muslims entered Makkah almost without bloodshed. The Prophet ﷺ declared a general amnesty and purified the Kaaba.
Farewell Pilgrimage & Sermon
The Prophet ﷺ performed his only Hajj and delivered the Farewell Sermon at Arafat, declaring all humans equal and emphasising rights and justice.
Death of the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ passed away on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal in Madinah. Abu Bakr was chosen as the first Caliph by the community at Saqifah.
Caliphate of Abu Bakr al-Siddīq
United the Arabian Peninsula through the Ridda wars, commissioned the compilation of the Quran, and launched the earliest campaigns into Syria and Iraq.
Caliphate of ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb
The Islamic state expanded dramatically — conquering Persia, Egypt and the Levant. Established the treasury (Bayt al-Māl), the Hijri calendar, and a sophisticated administrative system.
Conquest of Jerusalem
‘Umar personally accepted the city's surrender and guaranteed the safety of all its Christian and Jewish inhabitants in the Pact of ‘Umar.
Caliphate of ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān
Commissioned the standard written muṣḥaf of the Quran (the ‘Uthmānic codex), expanded the Prophet's Mosque, and built the first Muslim navy.
Caliphate of ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib
Period of the first fitnah (civil war). Despite internal conflict, ‘Alī maintained justice and scholarship. Known for his wisdom and eloquence.
Umayyad Caliphate
The caliphate moved to Damascus. The Dome of the Rock was built, Arabic became the official language of administration, and Islam spread to Spain and Central Asia.
Islamic Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula
Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and defeated the Visigothic kingdom, beginning nearly 800 years of Islamic presence in Andalusia (Al-Andalus).
Abbasid Caliphate
The Islamic Golden Age. Baghdad became the world's intellectual capital. Scholars made breakthrough advances in algebra, medicine, optics, chemistry and philosophy.
Founding of Baghdad
Caliph al-Manṣūr built Baghdad as a round city — "Madīnat al-Salām" (City of Peace). It became the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the world.
House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Ḥikmah)
Caliph al-Ma'mūn expanded this great library and translation centre, where scholars of all faiths translated Greek, Persian and Indian works into Arabic.
First Crusade: Fall of Jerusalem
European Crusaders captured Jerusalem after a bloody siege. The city would change hands multiple times over the next two centuries.
Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn Recaptures Jerusalem
Saladin's forces defeated the Crusaders at Hattin and recaptured Jerusalem. He granted safe passage to Christian civilians — a stark contrast to the Crusaders' earlier conduct.
Mongol Sack of Baghdad
Hulagu Khan destroyed Baghdad, ending the Abbasid Caliphate. The city's great libraries were lost, but Islam continued to spread through scholars and traders.
Ottoman Conquest of Constantinople
Sultan Mehmed II (al-Fātiḥ) conquered the Byzantine capital, fulfilling a prophecy mentioned in hadith. The city became Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire.
Founding of the Mughal Empire
Babur, a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, established the Mughal Empire in India. His successors built the Taj Mahal and advanced art, architecture and culture.
This timeline covers major milestones. Dates are approximate; scholars sometimes differ on exact years.