Which lands did the first Muslim armies conquer beyond Arabia?

Following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632, the first Muslim armies—led by the Rashidun caliphs—expanded rapidly beyond the Arabian Peninsula. Taking advantage of the weakened state of the Byzantine and Sasanian empires, these forces conquered several key regions.123

The lands brought under Muslim control during this initial period of expansion included:

• Syria and Palestine: Arab forces moved into these territories in the 630s, securing Damascus in 635 and Jerusalem in 638.14
• Iraq: This region was a primary target, leading to the eventual collapse of the Sasanian Empire by 651.12
• Egypt: The caliphate expanded its reach into North Africa, incorporating Egypt into the growing Islamic state.2
• Iran and Armenia: These areas were also brought under the authority of the Rashidun caliphs during their 29-year rule.2

This initial expansion established the foundation for the later Umayyad dynasty, which would further extend Muslim rule across North Africa, Spain, and into parts of Central Asia and India.15