The Rashidun Caliphate was the early Islamic polity led by the first four successive caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, collectively known as the Rashidun, or "Rightly Guided" caliphs. These ea
Ottoman miniature paintings depicting Muhammad (center) and the Rashidun caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, c. 16th century
Sasanid style coins during the Rashidun period, featuring a crescent-star, fire altar, depictions of Khosrow II, and an Arabic bismillāh in the margin).
Tombs of the caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar (right), in Medina, present-day Saudi Arabia
Muhammad's widow, Aisha, battling the fourth caliph Ali in the Battle of the Camel (16th-century miniature from a copy of the Siyer-i Nebi)
Abu Bakr, born Abd Allah ibn Abi Quhafa, was a senior companion, the closest friend, and father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad who served as the first Rashidun caliph, ruling from 632 until hi
Rashidun Caliphate
…Arabic: الخلافة الرّاشدة, romanized: al-Khilāfat ar-Rāshidah) was the early Islamic polity led by the first four successive caliphs (lit. "successors"): Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali, collectively known as the Rashidun, or "Rightly Guided" caliphs. These early caliphs led the Muslim community (Ummah) from the…
Calligraphic seal featuring Abu Bakr's name, on display in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
A 1595 Ottoman miniature from the Siyer-i Nebi depicting Abu Bakr intervening to stop a Meccan mob, led by Abu Lahab, from killing Muhammad at the Souk of Okaz.
Muhammad (left) and Abu Bakr hiding in the cave in Jabal Thawr from Siyer-i Nebi.
A 19th-century miniature from a manuscript of Hamla-i Haydari, depicting Abu Bakr dying in the presence of Ali.