History glossary

Rashidun

the first four caliphs in Sunni Islamic tradition.

What it means

Rashidun means rightly guided and refers in Sunni tradition to the first four caliphs: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali.

From Muhammad's first revelations to the early caliphates, Islam grew from a Meccan message into a civilisation spanning Africa, Asia and Europe.

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