Early Islamic History

The Battle of Khandaq (627 CE), also called the Battle of the Trench, was a twenty-seven-day siege of Medina by a coalition of some ten thousand Quraysh and allied tribes. On Salman al-Farsi's advice the Muslims dug a defensive trench, and the coalition withdrew without a decisive battle.

The Battle of Uhud (March 625 CE) was the second major engagement between Medina's Muslims and the Meccan Quraysh. After an early Muslim advantage, archers left their posts, enabling a Qurayshi cavalry attack that wounded the Prophet, killed Hamza, and ended in a strategic draw.

The conquest of Mecca in 630 CE (8 AH) was the decisive event of the Prophetic era. After eight years of exile, Prophet Muhammad led ten thousand Muslims into the city, declared a general amnesty, purified the Kaaba of its idols, and transformed the Arabian political landscape.

The Constitution of Medina (622 CE) was a written agreement between Prophet Muhammad and the communities of Medina — Muslim emigrants, Muslim Medinan tribes, and several Jewish tribes — establishing mutual obligations, collective defense, and a framework for resolving disputes.

Al-Hasan ibn Ali (625–670 CE) was the eldest grandson of Prophet Muhammad, son of Ali and Fatimah, and briefly caliph after his father's assassination in 661 CE. His negotiated settlement with Muawiyah, which ended the first Islamic civil war, was among the era's most consequential acts.

Al-Hussain ibn Ali (626–680 CE) was the younger grandson of Prophet Muhammad, son of Ali and Fatimah, and a central figure in early Islam. His death at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE shaped the development of Shia Islam and left a lasting mark on Islamic memory across traditions.

Khalid ibn al-Walid (592-642 CE) was one of the greatest military commanders in Islamic history, earning the title 'Sword of Allah' from Prophet Muhammad. His tactical genius led Muslim forces to victory in over 100 battles across Arabia, Iraq, and Syria.

The Ridda Wars (632–633 CE / 11–12 AH) were campaigns led by the first caliph Abu Bakr to suppress rebellions across Arabia after the Prophet's death, ranging from refusal of zakat to apostasy. Fought under commanders such as Khalid ibn al-Walid, they reunified Arabia under Medinan authority.