1. The Life of Muhammad and the Early Caliphates

2. Muhammad
At the age of 40 (around 610CE) he had a revelation from God (Angel Gabriel)
- he had a habit of praying in a local cave
In 622CE he and his early followers fled from Mecca to Medina
United the tribes of Medina
Around 630CE he conquered Mecca
- cleared religious idols from the Kaba
Died in 632CE

3. Succession Debate between Abu Bakr and Ali ibn Abu Talib
- Abu Bakr: his greatest general
- Ali: his cousin and son-in-law
Abu Bakr gains popular support
- Ali still has followers because he was a blood relative of Muhammad
Shia: Believe Ali was the rightful heir and do not accept Caliphs or Imams unrelated to Muhammad
Sunni: Believe Muhammad did not name a successor and accept most Caliphs

4. Rashidun Caliphate (632–661)

5. Umayyad Caliphate (661–750)

6. Abbasid Caliphate ( )

7. Fatimid Caliphate (909–1171)