Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib was born on 17 March 599 CE in Mecca. A cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, Ali was married to Muhammad's daughter Fatima and was among the first to accept Islam. Sunni Muslims honour him as the fourth of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, while Shia Muslims regard him as the first Imam and the rightful successor to Muhammad. He became caliph in 656 after the assassination of Uthman, and his reign was marked by civil war, including the Battle of the Camel and the Battle of Siffin against Mu'awiya, the governor of Syria. He was struck down by a Kharijite assassin in Kufa in 661. He is revered for his piety, learning and eloquence, and his shrine in Najaf is a major pilgrimage site.
Before and after
- 593 CEConstruction of Itsukushima Shrine
- 597 CEConstruction of Canterbury Cathedral
- 598 CEBirth of Brahmagupta
- from 598 CE to 1538Origins of St Augustine's Abbey
- 17 March 599 CEBirth of Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib
- from 600 CE to 900 CEWari
- 6th centuryOrigins of Danevirke
- from 7th century to 13th centuryVolga Bulgaria
- 7th centuryOrigins of chess
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The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 6th century.