Rashidun Empire

Rashidun Caliphate الخلافة الراشدة‎
632–661
The Rashidun Caliphate reached its greatest extent under Caliph Uthman, in 654.
Capital	Medina (632–656) Kufa (656–661)
Common languages	Classical Arabic
Religion	Islam
Government	Caliphate
Caliph
• 632–634	Abu Bakr (first)
• 634–644	Umar
• 644–656	Uthman
• 656–661	Ali
• 661–661	Hasan (last)
History
• Established	8 June 632
• First Fitna (internal conflict) ends	28 July 661
Area
655	6,400,000 km2 (2,500,000 sq mi)
Currency	Dinar Dirham
Preceded by Succeeded by Muhammad in Medina Byzantine Empire Sasanian Empire Exarchate of Africa Pre-Islamic Arabia Ghassanids Umayyad Caliphate
Amir al-Mu'minin (أمير المؤمنين‎), Caliph (خليفة‎)

Rashidun Empire or the Islamic Empire (Arabic: الامبراطورية الاسلامية) or Rashidun Caliphate (Arabic: الخلافة الراشدية) are the terms used to describe the empire that was controlled by the first four successors of Muhammad (the "Rightly Guided" caliphs). The empire was founded after Muhammad's death in 632 and lasted until 'Ali's death in 661. At its height, the power of the Rashidun Caliphs extended throughout North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Iranian highlands.

Origin

After Muhammad's death in 632, the Medinan Ansar were debating who -among them- should succeed prophet Muhammad in running the affairs of the Muslims. They chose Abu Bakr. So he became the first Khalifa Rasul Allah (Successor of the Messenger of God), and started a campaigns to for the Muslim Religion. At first he subdued the Arabian tribes which had left the Islamic community. As a Khalifa or Caliph he was not a monarch and never claimed such a title. His three successors also never claimed a title as monarch.

The first general of the empire was Khalid ibn Walid. During his campaign against the Persian Empire(Iraq 633 - 634) and Byzantine Empire (Syria 634 - 638) Khalid developed brilliant tactics. The Caliph Abu Bakr's way was to give his generals their mission, the geographical area in which that mission would be carried out, and the resources that, could be made available for that purpose. He would then leave it to his generals to accomplish their mission in whatever manner they chose, on the other hand Caliph Umar in later part of his Caliphate used to direct his generals as to where they would stay and when to move to the next target and who will be commanding the left and right wing of the army in the particular battle, this made the phase of conquest comparatively slower but provided well organized campaigns. Caliph Uthman used the same method as of Abu Bakr, he would give missions to his generals and then leave it to them how they accomplish it. Caliph Ali also followed the same method.

Religion

The state religion was Islam. The non-Muslim people were allowed to practice any religion they want to follow. But the Sharia Law was practiced in the state. Islam was the guiding force of the Caliphate. Any act of state was first to be approved by the Qur’an and the Traditions of the Prophet Muhammed. If there were no such guide lines available then wisdom or Hikmat was used, after which if the act would go against the established principals, norms,system etc. it was not carried on with.

References

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