The Rightly guided Caliphs

Upon the death of the Prophet, Abu Bakr, the friend of the Prophet and the first adult

male to embrace Islam, became caliph. Abu Bakr ruled for two years to be succeeded by

'Umar who was caliph for a decade and duringwhose rule Islam spread extensively east

and west conquering the Persian empire, Syria and Egypt. Itwas 'Umar who marched on

foot at the end of the Muslim army into Jerusalem and ordered the protection of Christian

sites. 'Umar also established the first public treasury and a sophisticated financial

administration. He established many of the basic practices of Islamic government.

'Umar was succeeded by 'Uthman who ruled for some twelve years during which time the

Islamic expansion continued. He is also known as the caliph who had the definitive text

of the Noble Quran copied and sent to the four corners of the Islamic world. He was in

turn succeeded by 'Ali who isknown to this day for his eloquent sermons and letters, andalso for his bravery. With hisdeath the rule of the "rightly guided" caliphs, who hold aspecial place of respect in the he

arts of Muslims, came to an end.

Umayyad

The Umayyad caliphate established in 661 was to last for about a century. During

this time Damascus became the capital ofan Islamic world which stretched from thewestern borders of China to southern France.Not only did the Islamic conquests continue during this period through North Africa

to Spain and France in the West and toSind, Central Asia and Transoxiana in theEast, but the basic social and legal institutions of the newly founded Islamic worldawere established.