Islam: summary

Muhamad born around 571 CE
Tribe of Quraysh, town of Mecca, region of Hijaz
"Call of God" around 609 CE
Accepts to move to Yathrib (Medina, "The City") in 622 CE
to become arbiter in conflicts and for protection
This migration is called the Hijra
Migration was set as Year 1, starting arabic calender (622 = Year 1 of Hijra)
City of Yarthrib became known simply as Al-Madina (The City)
Community of Al-Madina was called the Umma (An important concept in Islam)
Will conquer Mecca

Muhammad did, in his lifetime, achieved power , exercised political and prophetic authority (unlike Moses, Jesus):
As apostole of God, brings and teach revelations
As head of Umma: promulgated laws, dispensed justice, conduct diplomacy makes war
Umma, the community, becomes a State
Death of Mohammed: 8 june 632
Restore "true monotheism"
last of the prophets (Abram, Jesus, etc...)

second leader of the Umma chosen amongst close circle of followers of Muhammad: Abu Bakr, takes title of Khalif ("successor")
Institution of the Caliphate, supreme sovereign office of the islamic world

632 to 656: the 4 "rightly guided caliphs"
656 to 661: Ali, prophet's cousin, married to daughter of Prophet (Fatima), is "chosen" as caliph. This "hereditary" succession - kinship between a Caliph and The Prophet - is not seen well by everyone. It is seen as a fundamental cause for the historical split of Islam in two main branches, Sunni and Shi'a.
661, beginning of Umayyad dynasty, following a Coup by governor of Syria.
Will last until 750. Capital established in Syria. Leadership becomes hereditary.
747 beginning of a revolt in Persia.
750, Abbassid caliphate (kinsmen of prophet, descendants of Prophet's through Uncle Al-Abbas - line of heredity contested by Shi'as)
Capital moves from Syria (Umayyad stronghouse) to Bagdad.
House of Abbas will reign for 5 centuries (until fall of Bagdad)

In 908, first Fatimid Caliph, of Shi'a faith, challenging Abbassid dynasty, established in north-africa (it denies the Abbassid Sunni Caliphs any political or religious authority over Islam and Muslims)
Peaks around 1050, brief capture of Bagdad

In Shi'a faith, the Caliph is replaced by an Imam, an absolute monarch who is infaillible, rules by hereditary right of divinely ordained family.
3 branches of gov: religious, civilian and bureaucratic
civil and bureaucracy took in charge by a wazir
religious realm not unlike a party and propaganda organization

11th century: coming of the mongols

February 1258: Bagdad falls to mongols. Abbassid caliph and family put to death. Ends of caliphate institute.