This is my method for studying Muslim History
and I Will share all the notes with you and if you have any question regarding Muslim History period I , You can ask in the thread given below.

http://www.cssforum.com.pk/sindh-pub...-period-i.html

Every Question will be thoroughly answered.

now come on the topic , when i study any topic then i choose 5 to 6 main points and then to make story on and around. I think it is a little easy and time saving . here is an example on the topic

Election of Abu Bakr as Caliph
main points: Political situation in Medina,Othodox Muslims ,Alides , Ansar , Umayyads , Aus and Khazraj , Meeting at Saqifa banu Saida , Confirmation of Election, Inaugural speech of Abu Bakr

Prophet (PBUH) died on 8th june 632 without nominating his successor , at this stage there was needed to resolve this question but before it is necessary to elaborate the political situation at Medina at that time . there were two main parties in madina one first Muhajireen 313 in number who migrated in madina after the persecutions of the Quraish and other the Ansar who not only gave them refuge but also much more . now in this situation it was the question to choose the successor of prophet (PBUH).
Orthodox Muslims who were the closest of the prophet (PBUH) and earliest converts. Among them were Abu Bakr, Abu Ubaida, Abdul Rahamn bin Auf , Sa'ad bin Abi waqas , Umar etc . they knew the urgency and want to resolve it as soon as possible .
Second Group were Alides who were claiming for the right of Ali as he was kin of prophet (Ahly e bait) , son in law and cousin of Prophet (PBUH) and belonged to Quraish and he was brought up and trained by him . this claim was supported by Muhajireen of Madinah and they were little in number and also he was only 33 at that time and age is also considered a factor while choosing chieftainship . Ali himself was not a candidate for caliphate but claimed by others.
Third was Umayyads as headed by Abu sufyan who also thinking for his claim on the basis of Qurashite , Aristocratic but his prolong enmity with Prophet (PBUH) and Muslims was one of the reason to not choose him and also there were more popular and closest of prophet (PBUH) were there so he could not put forward his cliam .
Fourth Important group was of Ansars (HELPERS) were claiming on the basis of the their past services to Islam when prophet (PBUH) migarted to Medina .
Aus and Khazraj hostile to each other , another important group in deciding the successor of prophet . Aus sided with election of Abu Bakr because they feared that if sa'ad bin Ubaida the chief oh Khazraj selected as caliph will come to power and take revenge.

when people of Medina were doing the services for the burial of prophet (PBUH) , some one brought news to Umar that some Ansars are assembling at Saqifa Bani Sai'da for choosing the successor of Prophet (PBUH) , umar took Abu Bakr with him and on the way they met Abu Ubaida and took him also and reached at meeting place . These three saw that Ansar are claiming for successor of prophet (PBUH) for their past services to islam . Umar tried to speak but ABu Bakr make him quite and quietly heard them. Abu Bakr said what you are saying is all truth but people will not accept any other
than quraish because they are sign of noble birth and prestige .There some hot words exchanged between Umar and hubab bin Manzar then Abu Ubaida controlled the situation and said all you are saying is more than true but you were the one who uphold unity of Islam when it was in perils and now donot be the one to sow the seed of dissension for unity of Islam . then Abu Bkar rose and said here are two companions of prophet choose one of them as caliph but at once both cried "stretch your hands" you are the chief and both took the oath of allegiance .
sai'd bin Ubaida claimant of successor was ail all that time and lying there covered under a blanket and also died after some time in same ail condition.Aus and Khazraj take oath of allegiance and after these three companions came back to mosque and busied in burial of prophet (PBUH)
Next day people after funeral people take the oath of allegiance at the hands of caliph called bait.

Inaugural Speech of caliph
o people you have choosen me i am not the best among you i need your help and advice , if i do well support me if not set me right , the weakest among you is stronger and stronger is weaker , fight in the way of lord and who give up fighting in the way of Allah , Allah abases him . Obey me until i obey God and His Prophet where i disobey not obey me

importance of Election of Abu Bakr
Main points:
Urgency of Moment , elective principle , universally accepted by Muslims , belonged to prophet's tribe , Religious reasons , arabain custom and character of choosing chieftainship , Prophet's will of Election

1.Urgency of Moment to uphold the islamic unity
It was the need of hour at that time for choosing someone as successor of the prophet (PBUH) because there were so many claimant for the chieftainship of islam and can lead to quarrels and dissensions among Muslims and to the nascent state of medina as there is always hovering the danger of foreign attack so there must be someone to hold that unity of Muslims.

2.Elective Principle
Selection of Abu Bakr was an elective principle .first Umar and Abu Ubaida elected Abu Bakr then Aus sided with this Election and then it was accepted by all muslims in mosque of Medina.

3.universally accepted by Muslims
Election of Abu Bakr was accepted by all the Muslims in the mosque of Medina by taking oach of allegiance on the hands of the new caliph called Popular and which later become a tradition for accepting new caliph. Not
only the people of Medina but also other muslims took the oath of allegiance , a sign for accepting the new chief.

4.belonged to prophet's tribe
Abu Bakr belonged to the tribe of the prophet (PBUH) and this was also a reason which rejected the nomination of Khazraj chief sa'ad bin Ubaida as successor of prophet , Because Quraish and other tribes would not accept other than that of Quraish . An important think to bear in mind that Islam was not completely inoculated in Arabs , if it was so then relapse in heresy , apostasy , refuse of zakat , rebellion of Bedouins had not been occurred there. so being Qureshi was also a distinction for Abu Bakr.

5.Religious reasons
It was necessary after the demise of prophet that someone to head the state of Medina and to supervise the Muslims. If this is not done earlier this will lead in schism which later seen in Muslim Ummah after the death of Usman third pious caliph . State of Medina was in perils after the death of prophet. so Election of Abu Bakr was just at that time.

6. Arabian custom and character of choosing chieftainship
Abu Bakr fulfill the criteria which is needed to be a chief in Arabs such as age and experience is considered a great factor while choosing someone as Chief so Abu bakr was 61 at that time . Election held and as per Arabian customs it was accepted by all Muslims through oath of allegiance. Tribe affiliation also matter which Abu Bakr also fulfilled . Affiliation with the prophet was also had lot with Abu Bakr.

7.Prophet's will of Election
prophet did not nominate anyone in his life though he appointed Abu Bakr as prayer leader in his instead . Prayer leader at that time was considered as leader but caliph did not nominate any one , it showed his will of election and he left this on Muslims to choose and abu Bakr was elected as caliph.


Criticism on Election of Abu Bakr

There are three main thoughts of Schools which criticize the election of Abu Bakr as caliph . These are
1. Shiite
2. Western Historians
3. Modern Historians

1. Shiite
Shiite favors the claims of Ahly e Bait (Ali) as he was son in law , cousin and belonged to family of prophet and he brought up under the prophet . so he was to be chosen as caliph . They regard the election of ABu Bakr unjust as he deprived Ali from becoming caliph.

2. Western Historians
Western historians criticizes the election of Abu bakr totally undemocratic because there were no define electoral board , no rules of election and it was mere selection of two person . they argue that this would have been held later as well defined .

3. Modern Historians
Modern Historians calls it triumvirate and selective dictatorship as they say Abu Bakr was a choice of three persons i.e. Umar , Abu Ubaida and Abu Bakr itself .

all these critique is well answered by Mazhar ul Haque in his book as described in topic above as importance of Abu Bakr Election.

main points:
usama bin zaid's expedition to borders of syria , Beduoins attack on Medina (Exemption from Zakat) , Battle of Dhul Qassa, Banu Abs , zubaiyn , Sulaim and tulayha , Battle of Rabbadah

usama bin zaid's expedition to borders of syria
Next day after the death of prophet (PBUH) Caliph Abu BaKr ordered the Muslim Army to advance towards the syria in the command of Usama bin Zaid , a young commander . news were also coming that Bedouins have refuted to pay zakat and attacking medina , apostates also have claimed for prophethood so muslims asked the caliph to not launch such an expedition and sent umar to caliph for make him persuade to not to do so or instead appoint an experienced general on Usama's place . Abu Bakr replied that Muslim Army will go at once for this expedition because i can not stop or postpone a work which is assigned and set by prophet (PBUH) and how can i change the commander who is appointed by himself.if no one will go for fight
in the way of Allah Abu Bakr alone will go for it.By this Army Under usama went towards syria , Umar stayed Behind for the advice and help of caliph.
This Expedition sided with Muslims and tension relieved for the time being for Medina at syrian Borders.

Bedouins attack on Medina
Bedouins tribes relapsed in their earlier habits and renounced to pay zakat . They laid condition that they will be loyal to Islam on the condition of exemption of Zakat. These Bedouins include the tribe of Banu Abs , Banu Zubaiyr , Banu Sulaim and instigated by the false prophet Tulayha .Caliph at once rejected the offer and these unruly Bedouins attacked Medina ,This was a very critical stage for the newly founded state of Medina , if there were any other than Abu Bakr he would have compromised with the situation but it was Abu Bakr who was determinant as he was learned by his Master (PBUH).
Fight Between Muslims and these unruly Bedouins met at Dhull Qassa near Rabbadah . This battle ended in Muslim Victory and madina heaved a sigh of relief.

Battle of Rabbadah
now again these Bedouin tribes became unrestive , Caliph gave the army rest of few days after Dhull Qassa and sent again Usama to suppress these Bedouin which are still hanging around again in Rabbadah . Usama suppressed and crushed them for a later time.

Main Points:
Arabia not wholly united Under Islam , Submitted to political Authority of Prophet not Islam , Arabian Nomadism/The Bedouin ,Islamic Morality and Zakat, less education and awareness about Islam , Prophetism , Tribal Spirit of Arabs , Other Differences between Islam and paganism

1.Arabia not wholly united Under Islam
Arab is large peninsula and at the death of prophet islam does not completely reached to all the spheres of the Arab . It was then limited to the Makkah and medina only . so the people beyond the boundries of these cities did not get islam so after the death of prophet they relapsed in their old ways of life and culture . Bedouins and others who challenged the nascent state of Medina were living in hours distance . this depicts that Arabia not wholly submitted to Islam.

2.Submitted to political Authority of Prophet not Islam
The Arabians only submitted to the political authority of islam because it was subtle and inevitable for them to accept , so after the demise of prophet they
opened their enmity against the Madina and Islam as there were no more the political authority of Prophet to whom they submitted . now they are free from every compulsion and no one to control them. There is also an element which is the historical and long lasting in Arabs that they have seen all this in their life and what their forefathers told them. so they thought same it is as old.

3.Arabian Nomadism/The Bedouin
Arabain Nomadism or Bedouin are unruly , fickle to obedience ,loyalty and difficult to control . obedience for them is to only their tribal chief. They never lived an organized life . They like loot , plunder , long lasting fight , no peace . This is their nature so when they asked about leaving all the things which are innate in them they became irritated and discontent and started fighting against the state of Medina and renounced Islam after the death of Prophet . Later periods showed that these were the very danger in early days of Abu bAKR for state of medina and then the same shattered the huge Empires and then same broken the Same Muslim empire.

4.Islamic Morality and Zakat
Islam had forbade them from many things which they like in the past . after the fall of Makkah these people submitted to the prophet but still they are engaged in the same practices hideously which they like but these are all prohibited by Islamic Morality .
some of the tribes offered Abu Bakr if they allowed exemption from Zakat they will be faithful with Islam but caliph rejected their offer and Riddah wars started.

5. less education and awareness about Islam
Although Prophet had appointed teachers for the learning and education of Islam but it was not still sufficient to people to have awareness about the message of Islam . Some of the teachers of Quran were killed and mutilated due to unawareness of people . People thought the demise of prophet as earlier rulers and kings are passed ,now the policies will change an every thing will be as desired by his successor . this unawareness also led to Riddah wars.

6.Prophetism
the personality and life of prophet has transformed the world and given them a new world order so due to this concept After the death of prophet it was the desire of every tribe for their own prophet as to get precedence and prestige of fellow tribes also led to apostasy.

7.Tribal Spirit of Arabs
The Bedouins or tribal arabs had a bond with prophet , they thought that this bond is broken with the death of prophet and they are free now so they brought back their loyalty to their tribal chiefs and relapse in olden days. it was their tribal spirit which had not learned them about the multi tribal nation of islam and central government . so their tribal spirit also a factor of riddah wars.

8.Other Differences between Islam and paganism
There were so many differences between paganism and ISLAM such as fasting , alms giving , meekness , forgiving for injuries , zakat payment , prohibition of wine , lust etc which seduced them to

In the Question and topic above the causes of Riddah wars are given.


False Prophets and Riddah Wars

1. Tulahya

He was the Chief of Banu Asad tribe and belonged to Najd . Once he forgot way in desert with his party and found a water spring in desert and this was sufficeint for his followers to accept him as prophet , so he claimed for prophethood.
Caliph sent Khalid bin Walid to suppress his apostasy , fierce battle at a plain Buzakha so called battle of Buzakha enusued , both sides fought with great valour where as Tulayha was standing aloof at top and looks like mediating . His followers were waiting for him as he was receiving the help from Most High but all in vain . His followers left fighting and fled away .He also fled with his wife to syria and later in the reign of Umar I submitted to Islam and pardoned by Caliph and he fought for Islam in period Of Umar I.

2.Aswad Al Ansi
He belonged to yemen and revolted in last days of prophet. He was killed by Dailimi and his party who stole into his bedroom and cut his throat . His guards tried to enter his bedroom but his wife stopped them at the door and said he is receiving revelation from Most High . so Aswad al ansi died by this.His wife did so because she hated her due to his ill treatment with her.

3.Sajah
Sajah was a Woman claimed for prophetess and belonged to Christian tribe banu Taghlib branch of Banu Tamim . She came from Mesopotamia. She married with Musalima the liar for half of state revenue as mehar . Due to this she was discredited herself in the eyes of her followers and after all these happenings she went away .

Malik Bin Nuwaira the chief of banu Yerbu branch of banu Tamim was about to submit to khalid but entry of sajah bound him not to do this but Sajah returned after her discredition on her marriage with Muslima, now Malik was alone to bear the burnt of Khalid. Most his man turned with khalid and he was captured by khalid and put to death and married Nuwaira's wife. Calpih recalled khalid for he has murdered Malik but he was peacefully arrested
khalid told all this happened in confusion , caliph convinced and khalid back to Muslim Army.

4 . Musalima The Liar
Muslima was the stronger of all the false prophet with largest army and many followers , belonged to Banu Hanifa in Yamama. He has also fabricated some clumsy verses which he mention has received from Most High. His power lies not in prophet hood but his military proves with 40000 men. here also comes Sajah . He decided not to fight with sajah but to guile him . he invited to meet with her and then she agreed to marry with him on the condition of half revenue to Muslima's State , three days she lived with Muslima and after collecting her share departed .
Ikrima Fought with Muslima Army and retreated , khalid bin walid came to rescue Ikrima a hot battle ensued at Yamama . Muslims have upper hand and the Army of Muslima went into a garden of Muslima to take refuge but soon after Muslims got into the garden and slaughtered the Army of Muslims so the garden came to be known as Garden of Death. Muslima also lay dead.

After the Muslim Victory in Riddah wars it left many things which can not be removed from the World History , It provided an outset for the history to be written in golden words; let us we analyze it.

FOR ISLAM
for islam it was the dire need of the time to get these victories and over come the apostatized peninsula because the nascent state of Medina and islam itself was in perils at that time . the meaning of defeat would shatter the Islam as it was no more and there would relapse of heresy in the whole Arabia. The State of Medina beside this has confronted many other issues like as revolts of Bedouin tribes . These Victories saved the state of Medina and deepened the faith of Muslims in the Lord and Islam. It provided an insight for widening the dominion of Islam, it also provided an starting point for the reach of Islam at distant parts of Arabia.

FOR ARABIA
If these wars have resulted in the victory of apostates Arabia as a whole would have relapsed in the olden days of Heresy and Anarchy. The Jahiliaya period which was set in the days of prophet had once again risen.
it also resulted in the unification of Arabs as they were always fighting with one another , they are tied in the rope of Islam and unified . After their unification they not only ended the olden practices of ignorance but became the sons of Islam and participated in widening the dominion of Islam in the whole peninsula and shattered the Mighty Byzantine and Sassanian Empires.

FOR WORLD
The results of these wars proved in the extension of dominion of Islam over the world and these were the wars of the all later conquests of Islam. Before this islam was confined to the Arabia , Islam was local but now it made its standard as International Islam which proved later.
It also proved a powerful starting point for conquesting world countries.

1.Inner necessity to keep the discontented tribes in check , The result of Riddah wars
Bedouins were unruly , fickle in obedience and loyal to only their tribal chief. They were proved plundering and discontent always . The same was the cause of wars of apostasy and rebellion of Bedouins against the state of Islam. After the wars which Muslims won in the age of first caliph it was necessary to keep them in check by keeping them always busy in wars with the foreigners because if they were given rest it was their nature that they will not rest but will be cause of dissension . so caliph used them to fight in the way of Allah for increasing the dominion of Islam . so this was much needed to control the unrestive Bedouins tribes in check.

2.The Caliph's policy of National Defense and frontiers of Medina
After the departure of prophet many dangers were hovering over the state and Islam . Caliph fought with tact and full faith despite of several advices for not to fight because it was necessary for the national defense of state of medina and on the borders of Medina , the Byzantine and Bedouins always attacked . to escape from the situation like this in future so caliph started a new campaign which was offensive rather than defensive beyond the borders of Medina which resulted in further victories of Islamic Army.

3.The Caliph's Policy of National Liberation of Arab subjects of Rome and Persia
Arab race is spread over the whole Arab peninsula and these Arabs include all like Jews , Christians and others . These were made subjects by the Byzantine and Persian rulers because Islam was confined to Medina still and all other parts were always in the grip of Sassanian or Byzantine . There were always the battle of supremacy in between them and Arabs were always subject to them and living in a misery and penury always. so caliph's policy of liberation of arabs was also a factor which led to these victories. Caliph used Arabian Nationalism for the victory which was bound with the rope of Islam.

4.Aggressive attitude of Persian and Byzantine Empire
as it is already described that Arab is wide race which is living in the whole Arabia in different dresses. Also they were subjected to Persia and Rome so they have a superior approach over the Arabs and they regarded Arabs as inferior once and never Arabs have any tendency to get victory over these two mighty empires. this was the reason of aggression of Persia and Rome , after the Muslim won victory over the apostates. this also was a factor for wars of conquest.

5.Tribal Migration
Arabia is land of desert and there are frequent migration which resulted in conquest wars . for example the break of Ma'arab Dam caused a huge number of tribal migration which divided the Arabs in whole peninsula and far behind. The dwellers of desert were in continuous search of water and greenery which was also a cause of tribal migration. Arabia is barren and arid which also resulted in tribal migration.

6.Economic Causes
As Arabia is a barren desert with meager resources of food .After the emergence of Islam always fighting Arabs were now disciplined and well organized . Their internal quarrels are now ended and Islam gave them the change of peace . It all resulted in peace and also this resulted increase in population . the resources of desert were not enough to meet the requirements of the increasing population and the land of Sassanian and Byzantine empire were full of fertile and productive land . This was the economic cause of the conquest war.

7. Proselytism due to friendly Islam
Islam is the religion of peace . it gave the blood thirsty people the guarantee of life and property. people were subject to these two mighty empires and were drowned under burdens of heavy tax exploitation and other cruelties, where as Islam was a ray of hope for these oppressed persons . Islam was also much different from paganism and no aristocracy there was in early islam and it was working on equilaterian basis in the days of first caliph. so these were the basis that proselytism with no fanatic by sword of force but due to very polite nature of Islam was also a cause for wars of conquests.

8.Immediate Cause
The immediate cause of war was the clash on the borders with Persian and Roman with Muslims which resulted in full fledged war. Also the geography with neighboring empire also a cause to flare up of wars with the Byzantine and Persians.

Discuss the advancement made in the field of Science and arts and medicine during Ummayad Period.

This question is very unlikely to come in exams. Its better to discuss wars that took place during holy prophet and those which were fought during the period of hazrat Umar (RA).