Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) - 570-632 CE
The final prophet who received the Quran and established the first Islamic state in Medina.
The Rightly Guided Caliphs (632-661 CE)
- Abu Bakr (632-634) - First caliph, compiled the Quran
- Umar ibn al-Khattab (634-644) - Expanded Islamic empire, established Islamic calendar
- Uthman ibn Affan (644-656) - Standardized Quran text
- Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661) - Last rightly guided caliph
The Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE)
Expanded Islam to Spain, North Africa, and Central Asia. Built the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.
The Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE)
Golden Age of Islam - advancements in science, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy. Established House of Wisdom in Baghdad.
Great Islamic Scholars
- Imam Abu Hanifa (699-767) - Founder of Hanafi school
- Imam Malik ibn Anas (711-795) - Founder of Maliki school
- Imam Al-Shafi'i (767-820) - Founder of Shafi'i school
- Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (780-855) - Founder of Hanbali school
- Al-Ghazali (1058-1111) - Reviver of Islamic sciences
- Ibn Taymiyyah (1263-1328) - Great Hanbali scholar
The Ottoman Empire (1299-1922)
Longest-lasting Islamic caliphate, conquered Constantinople, reached Vienna.