Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib died in 661 CE in Kufa, aged about 61. 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
- from 650 CE to 1377Srivijaya
- from 653 CE to 954 CEKingdom of Northumbria
- c. 653 CEEruption of Dakataua
- from 656 CE to 661 CEFirst Fitna
- 661 CEDeath of Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib
- from 661 CE to 750 CEUmayyad Caliphate
- 26 January 661 CEAssassination of Ali
- 670 CEConstruction of Great Mosque of Kairouan
- 670 CEConstruction of Kairouan
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- 30 March 1282Sicilian Vespers
- 8 May 1429Joan of Arc relieves Orleans
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 7th century.