The Rightly Guided - A Rashidun Timeline

Part 1

It was twilight in Medina, several days before the Hajj seasons, and prominent Muslims from all around the empire would be returning to Medina for the annual pilgrimage. It was also a time, when Medina was under siege. From Muslims themselves who had not been pleased with Uthman and were intent on creating chaos. The rebels knew that in a few weeks the hajj would come, and they would be hopelessly outnumbered. Even now they were outnumbered, but the Caliph forbade any action against fellow Muslims. The men of Medina took no action, and went about their lives as if nothing had happened. Though several prominent members such as Abdullah bin Zubayr, Aisha binte Abu Bakr, Hasan bin Ali, Marwan bin Hakam incited the populace to attack the rebels. Though Uthman forbade any violence. The rebels timidity in part played the biggest role in their downfall. After several weeks of besieging Uthman’s house, the Islamic forces in Mecca for the Hajj attacked Medinah, relieving their Caliph. Every rebel was killed in cold blood as the city was surrounded, and the citizens of Medinah joined the fray. The leaders, Abdullah ibn Saba, Muhamad bin Abu Bakr, Muhammad ibn Hudhaifa and others were hung, and their bodies carried on the backs of donkeys through out the empire. Uthman frowned upon the violence, though he knew they had saved his life. There were still cells throughout the empire that sought to bring down chaos, but they were all defeated by Uthman’s trusty governers.

Part II

With the rebellion crushed, the Caliph Uthman sent out armies and bands of trusted warriors to defeat cells of rebellion in different cities mainly Kufa, Fustat and Basra. Within several weeks the whole of the Rashidun Empire was once again in the hands of Uthman. His trusted kinsmen and close companions of the prophet were sent to replace the governors who were seen as weak, or couldn' stop the rebellion.

While these disturbing times came to pass, the Byzantine Empire seeing a chance to retake the prized provinces of Syria and Egypt ammased an army of 50 000 Byzantine Imperial Troops and enlisted the help of Christian Bedouin Tribes in the region who threw their lot in with Constans II. With banners flying proud and dissent from the Bedouins, the Greeks attacked a surprised garrison at Antioch, and the Muslim garrison was forced to retreat back towards Emessa. Emir Muawiyah sent his full force of 60 000 men to attack the Byzantine Army, and the governor of Mosul the newly appointed Muhammad ibn Maslamah sent 15 000 men, with himself at the head. Carrying the sword of the Prophet Muhammad himself (Prophet gave him his sword) he routed the Bedouin tribes so thoroughly they never thought to rise in arms again. With the Arabs defeated Ibn Maslamah marched west towards the gates of Antioch. The army of Muawiyah commanded by his son Yazid attacked the Byzantine Army from the front, engaging in pitched battle, and Muhammad ibn Maslamah surprised the Byzantines by attacking the camp, taking much loot. When the Byzantines realised their women and possessions were in danger, they retreated and the Muslims pursued them towards Anatolia. Once again the hilly range of Asia Minor was once again in Muslim hands.

After the astounding victories by Muawiyah he asked permission from Caliph Uthman to attack Constantinople, the big prize. He asked for several thousand more men, and the fleet from Alexandria, but Uthman was passive. "Many armies have knocked upon the gates of Konstantinnye, but none have managed to enter. It will be futile to attempt to attack such a stronhold" Uthman said But Muawiyah was relentless. Soon he would get his wish...
 
Part III

While Muawiya made his preparations to attack the jugular of the Roman Empire, Uthman ordered his general Abdullah bin Nafi to retake the coastal areas of Spain that had been lost during the general disorder in the empire. Along with a force of 12 000 Berbers and Arab under Abdullah bin Zubayr and Abdullah bin Saad bin Abi Sahr, the three generals. Following centuries of pre-Islamic tradition where Berbers raided the Iberian coasts, an army of 20 000 crossed the straits of Gibraltar and made large scale raids onto the penisuala. King Roderic mustered 12 000 men and went to meet the Islamic forces. The battle was fierce, but overwhelming Islamic arms overtook the Visgoths and most of the ruling elite were killed. The resulting power vacuum surprised the Muslims. A letter sent to ask for re-inforcement was met with 15 000 more soldiers. The remaining royalty fled to the capital at Toledo, and Abdullah bin Zubayr, given control of the entire army went to besiege it. After several weeks, the city seemed impregnable. Though a meeting with the Jews of the city who had been under intense opression from the Visgoths agreed to open the city gates in exchange for freedom of religion. A Jewish contingent inside the city slew the guards and opened the gates. Al of Andalus had fallen into Islamic hands. In a famous letter from Caliph Uthman I to his generals in Andalus said

"Constantinople
will be conquered from the side of Al-Andalus Thus if you conquer it you will have the honour of taking the first step towards the conquest of Constantinople. You will have your reward in this behalf both in this world and the next."
 
Part IV

The affairs of the empire several years after the conquest of Al-Andalus remained quiet. Aside from a few scandals involving luxury from the part of governors, the Caliphate enjoyed the peace and prosperity. The people of the empire were happy. Their Caliph Uthman ibn Affan, who had ruled for 16 strong years, had fallen sick. Many said it was the same sickness that took the life of the Prophet and Abu Bakr. Sadly they were right. The benevolent reign of Uthman had ended.

Before his death, many senior members said that he should elect a succesor. He made a list of potential Caliphs, and gave them to the Shura before his death. This list included, Ali, Saad bin Abi Waqqas, Talha, Zubayr, Muawiyah and Abi Sahr the admiral of the Islamic Navy. The seven met in council and Talha, Zubayr and Abi Sahr dropped their claims. Talha and Zubayr would rather prefer the private life than the Caliphate. Saad bin Abi Waqqas held onto his claim steadfast, and used his victory at Qadissiyah and the destruction of Persia as a campaigning front. Ali and Muawiyahh also campaigned throughout the Empire, raising support for themselves. Abi Sahr decided to be the umpire, and went around the empire asking for opinions.

Each candidate haf its own stronghold. Muawiyah, the Emir of Syria was revered their, and the chiefs and leaders supported him. Saad had his base in Kufa and Basra, while Ali had the support of much of Egypt and Medinah. After a month, the leaders and chiefs gathered for the Hajj and decided. Just before the election, Saad dropped his claim stating that the others had more of a claim than him, and decided to become an umpire as well. Afterwards, the overall majority voted for Ali on the basis of his relation with Muhammad and his virtue. The reign of Ali was to begin.
 
Part V

The reign of Uthman was characterized by economic prosperity, but Ali's reign was to be characterized by war and expansion.

The first thing that Ali did was to attack Constantinople, the jugular of the Byzantine Empire, and the largest city in the known world. Ali ordered each governor of his domain to send as many men as they could. The resulting army was massive. 150 000 Men from each part of the empire. And more than 3000 ships were gathered in the Mediterranean. Ali himself was to be supreme commander. Muawiya was to command the center, Hasan and Husayn commanded the flanks, and Abdullah ibn Zubayr commanded the rear. Abi Sahr was in command of the fleet.

The plan was, for the army to make a quick strike against the walls of Cosntantinople, and attack with seige weaponry, while the navy would bombard from the sea, and land men on the shore to attack from another side. The army was able to trek across Byzantine lands easily, as the army was in the Balkans, fighting the tribes in the north. After a week or so, Constantinople was under full attack from the Arab armies. Thr fleet attacked the walls several days later.

For 8 long months, the army kept up a relentless assault, but the Byzantnine will held. Several branches of heretics inside the city who were under heavy persecution held talks with Caliph Ali. In exchange for religious freedom, they would secretly open the gates for the Muslims, just like Toledo, where the Jews opened the gates.

In the dead of the night, the heretics opened the gates, and the Muslims swarmed in. Ali forbade any looting and pillaging, so the city was safe, though it was now in Muslim hands.
 

Nikephoros

Banned
In the dead of the night, the heretics opened the gates, and the Muslims swarmed in. Ali forbade any looting and pillaging, so the city was safe, though it was now in Muslim hands.

You do know that the forums Byzantinists are going to proverbally crucify you or something?;)

Anyways, I say go for it. Although I think you overestimate the amount of heretics inside the city. But what do I know, I'm not an expert in this area of history.
 
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