A chronological, accessible table listing dates in AH/CE, what happened, reasons for change or defeat, and ruler characteristics.


Chronological order of rulers and transitions in Madinah Munawwarah
Date (AH / CE) What happened Reason for change or defeat Ruler characteristics
1 AH / 622 CE Hijrah: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrives in Madinah; establishes the civic-religious community (Ummah). Foundational migration; beginning of Islamic governance in Madinah. Prophetic leadership; just, unifying, visionary; covenantal governance.
11 AH / 632 CE Abu Bakr al‑Siddiq (RA) becomes Caliph; consolidation after the Prophet’s passing. Succession due to the Prophet’s death. Steadfast, prudent, compassionate; preserved unity during Ridda wars.
13 AH / 634 CE Umar ibn al‑Khattab (RA) becomes Caliph; administrative and legal reforms expand. Succession after Abu Bakr’s death. Strategic, disciplined, institutional reformer; social justice emphasis.
23 AH / 644 CE Uthman ibn ‘Affan (RA) becomes Caliph; standardization of the Mushaf. Succession after Umar’s assassination. Gentle, generous, consensus‑seeking; focused on unity of scripture.
35 AH / 656 CE Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) becomes Caliph amid civil strife. Succession after Uthman’s assassination; contested legitimacy. Courageous, scholarly, principled; sought reconciliation under pressure.
40 AH / 661 CE Umayyad dynasty begins under Mu‘awiyah I; power center shifts from Madinah. End of Ali’s caliphate; consolidation after prolonged conflict. Diplomatic, administrative centralization; dynastic governance model.
132 AH / 750 CE Abbasid revolution replaces Umayyads; intellectual and urban flourishing. Uprising exploiting internal dissent and legitimacy claims. Patronage of learning, bureaucracy, wider inclusivity in administration.
923 AH / 1517 CE Ottoman suzerainty over the Hijaz after Mamluk defeat; guardianship of the Haramain. Military defeat of Mamluks by Ottomans. Organized administration, architectural patronage, infrastructural stability.
1344 AH / 1926 CE Saudi rule consolidates in Madinah following Hijaz unification. Post‑WWI reordering; end of Ottoman authority in the region. Religious custodianship, modernization, institutional centralization.
1445 AH / 2023 CE Contemporary Saudi governance; continued expansion and services for pilgrims. Continuity; administrative modernization and heritage conservation. Service-oriented, infrastructure-driven, custodial stewardship of holy sites.