Islam and Empires : Introduction To The Region

After the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD (see “Islam” under Religion, below), Bedouin armies, inspired by Islam and the prospect of substantial spoils, ventured outside their traditional strongholds in Central Arabia and, in a series of protracted battles between 639 and 642, conquered Egypt. Tired of the Greek Orthodox Church’s rigidity, many Egyptians resented Byzantine rule and appreciated, if not Islam itself, the arriving armies’ relative tolerance.

The death of Muhammad gave rise to political confusion, as no successor had been designated. Amid vigorous debate as to whether the successor had to be a blood relative, Abu Bakr, confidante of Muhammad and father of his wife A’isha, was chosen as the first successor (khalifa, or caliph). Ruling from 632-34, he was followed by Umar (63444), Uthman (644-56), and finally AH (65661), all based in Medina.