The
Rashidun Caliphate (), comprising the first four
caliphs in
Islam's history, was founded after
Muhammad's death in
632, Year 10
A.H.. At its height, the
Caliphate extended from the
Arabian Peninsula, to the
Levant,
Caucasus and
North Africa in the west, to the
Iranian highlands and
Central Asia in the east. It was the
largest empire in history up until that time.Rein Taagepera (1979), "Size and Duration of Empires: Growth-Decline Curves, 600 B.C. to 600 A.D.",
Social Science History, Vol. 3, 115-138 It is also known as the
Patriarchal Caliphate.
Origin
After Muhammad's death in 632, the
Medinan Ansar debated which of them should succeed the Prophet in running the affairs of the
Muslims while the household of the Prophet was busy in his burial. Umar (who is from the Quraysh) and
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah pledged their loyalty to
Abu Bakr, with the Ansar and the
Quraish soon following suit. Abu Bakr thus became the first
Khalifa Rasul Allah (
Successor of the Messenger of God), and embarked on campaigns to propagate the Muslim Religion and Deliver the Message of God. First, though, he would have to subdue the Arabian tribes which had gone back on their oaths of allegiance to Islam and the Islamic community. As a Khalifa or Caliph he was not a monarch and never claimed such a title nor did his three successors do so.
History
Succession of Abu Bakr
Troubles emerged soon after
Abu Bakr's succession, threatening the unity and...
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