Early challenges to islam
Muslim faced a problem when Muhammad died because he had not named a successor to lead the community. Eventually, they agreed that Abu Bakr, Muhammad's father-in-law and an early convert to Islam, should be the first caliph, or successor to Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. If you worship God, God is alive.
Arabs unite under islam
Abu Bakr faced an immediate crisis. The loyalty of some Arab tribal leaders had been dependent on Muhammad's personal command. They refused to follow Abu Bakr and withdrew their loyalty to Islam. After several battles with the wavering tribes, Abu Bakr succeeded in reuniting the Muslims, based on their allegiance to Islam. Once reunited, the Muslims set out on a remarkable serious of Military campaigns. They began by converting the remaining Arab tribes to Islam, which ended warfare between Arabs and united them under one leader.
Divisions emerge within islam
When Muhammad died, Muslims disagreed about who should be chosen to be the leader of the community. The split between Sunni and Shiite Muslims had been profound impact on later Islamic history.
The dome of the rock
The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is the oldest surviving Islamic building. Construction began soon after Muslims captured Jerusalem. According to Muslim teaching, Muhammad ascended to heaven from the rock inside this building.
Expanding the muslim empire
From Egypt, Arab Muslim armies moved west, defeating Byzantine forces across North Africa. In 711, Muslim forces crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and conquered Spain. In 731, a Muslim army moved north into France to settle new areas. There, Frankish forces defeated the Muslims at the battle of Tours. Muslims ruled parts of Spain for centuries, but advanced no farther into Europe. Elsewhere, Muslim forces besieged the Byzantine capital of Constantinople, but failed to take the well-defended city.
Rise of the abbasids
Discontented Muslims found a leader in Abu al-abbas, descended from Muhammad's uncle. With strong support from Shiite and non-Abrab Muslims, he captured Damascus in 750. Soon after, he had members of the defeated Umayyad family killed. Only one survived, escaping to Spain. Abu al-Abbas then founded the Abbasid dynasty, which lasted until 1258.
The muslim empire declines
The Abbasids never ruled Spain, and starting about 850, their control over the rest of the Muslim empire fragmented. In Egypt and elsewhere, independent dynasties ruled states that had been part of a unified empire. As the caliph's power faded in some regions, Shiite rulers came to power. Between 900 and 1400, a series of invasions added to the chaos.
Seljuk turks take control
IN the 900s, Seljuk Turks migrated into the Middle East from central Asia. They adopted Islam and built a large empire across the Fertile Crescent. By 1055, a Seljuk sultan, or ruler controlled Baghdad, but he kept the Abbasid caliph as a figurehead. As the Seljuks pushed into Asia Minor, they threatened the Byzantine empire. The conflict prevented Christian pilgrims from traveling to Jerusalem, leading Pope Urban II to call for the First Crusade in 1095.