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Which territories did Muslim armies conquer during the Rashidun caliphate?

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World map showing the global distribution of Islam, with countries shaded in varying tones of green to indicate the estimated percentage of the population practicing Islam. Darkest green represents countries with 95-100 percent Muslim populations, including much of North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Central and South Asia. Lighter greens show lower percentages, while most of Europe, the Americas, Australia, and East Asia are shaded to indicate less than 25 percent Muslim population.
Islamic world

During the 29-year rule of the Rashidun caliphate (632–661), Muslim armies significantly expanded the Islamic state beyond the Arabian Peninsula. Their conquests encompassed the following territories:

  • Iraq1
  • Syria1
  • Palestine1
  • Egypt1
  • Iran1
  • Armenia1

The expansion began following the riddah wars, which suppressed tribal uprisings within Arabia. The conquest of the Sasanian Empire in Iran was solidified by decisive victories at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah (636/637) and the Battle of Nahavand (642). While Arab forces began raiding into North Africa (the Maghrib) after the conquest of Egypt in 642, systematic efforts to establish direct rule in that region were largely undertaken by the succeeding Umayyad dynasty rather than the Rashidun.123