Islamic History Podcast: Recent Episodes
Islamic History Podcast
We often overlook Islamic history as a learning tool. The history of Islam is not only important for Muslims, but important for everyone. Islam and the people who call themselves Muslims have made an enormous impact on our world. The Islamic History Podcast is about discovering that history in a fun and interesting way.
The military doctrine of Marwan II reshaped the final years of the Umayyad Dynasty as he attempted to stabilize a rapidly fracturing empire. In this episode of the Islamic History Podcast, we explore the chaotic period leading to the end of the Umayyad Caliphate, starting with the short and troubled reign of Yazid III, nicknamed al-Naqis (the Inadequate).
We examine the ambitious populist agenda and failure of Yazid III, whose violent usurpation of the throne destroyed the regime's legitimacy and plunged the provinces into anarchy. From the western frontier, we track the fragmentation of the Berber states and rise of heretical sects, including the bizarre Bargawata Confederation in Morocco.
As central authority collapsed, deep-seated ethnic rivalries exploded, fueling the destructive inter-tribal warfare (Mudar vs. Yaman) in Khorasan and Syria. We follow the relentless campaigns of Marwan Ibn Muhammad—dubbed al-Himar (the Donkey) for his endurance on the battlefield—as he brutally crushes rebellions in Homs, Palestine, and Egypt, only to face a massive Kharijite uprising in Iraq. Finally, we witness the collapse of Umayyad central authority and the final civil war, setting the stage for the historic rise of the Abbasids.
The Assassination of Caliph Walid II serves as the violent climax to an era of mounting tension, marking the definitive start of the Third Fitna civil war. This episode explores the roots of this collapse, beginning with the Early History and Passive Protest of Sufism, where figures like Al-Hasan al-Basri withdrew from the "society's corruption" to focus on the inner self . We analyze the dangerous intersection of religion and politics in the Qadariyya Heresy and Doctrine of Predestination, a movement that directly challenged the Caliph’s authority.
As internal divisions widened, the empire faced external exhaustion during the Umayyad Military Struggles in Khorasan and the Byzantine Frontier, where massive losses at sea and on land drained the treasury. This instability reached a breaking point in the West with the Berber Revolts and Civil War in Al-Andalus, leading to the unprecedented enslavement of Muslims by fellow Muslims and the permanent loss of central control over Morocco and Spain. Join us as we trace the tragic legacy of Caliph Hisham and the libertine reign of Walid II that brought a once-mighty dynasty to its knees.
Host Majid and guest Muttaqi Ismail discuss recent US enforcement actions—ICE and Border Patrol raids, the killing in Minneapolis, and community reactions—placing these events in the context of immigrant communities, politics, and public protest. They also cover how social media, particularly TikTok, and shifting narratives are changing grassroots activism.
The conversation broadens to the global picture: growing skepticism about a rules-based international order, interventions from the US in places like Venezuela and Greenland, unrest in Iran, and how these developments may shape future elections and power dynamics.
In this episode of the Islamic History Podcast, we explore the Umayyad Caliphate’s growing instability during 121–122 AH. From failed Byzantine campaigns to major rebellions in Iraq and North Africa, the empire's reliance on Syrian troops reaches a breaking point.
Despite fleeting military victories, internal cracks deepen in the Umayyad Caliphate as unjust taxes, tribal rivalries, and the rise of the Mawali set the stage for the empire’s inevitable downfall.
In this episode, we explore the fragile balance of power during the later years of the Umayyad Caliphate under Caliph Hisham ibn Abdul Malik. Between 112–114 AH (731–733 CE), the empire faced crushing defeats on nearly every frontier. Yet Hisham refused to abandon his policy of ceaseless expansion. Temporary truces bought the Caliphate breathing room, but soon the armies were back in motion—sometimes roaring, sometimes limping—toward new campaigns.
From 115–120 AH, the Umayyads managed a partial comeback. Victories against the Turgesh in Central Asia, renewed advances in Sindh, and territorial gains in France seemed to restore momentum. But these successes often proved hollow. Each campaign drained the Caliphate’s coffers and manpower, leaving little capacity to improve life for its citizens.
Meanwhile, internal cracks widened. The Mawali, non-Arab converts to Islam, increasingly protested an unjust tax system. Tribal rivalries were deliberately stoked by Hisham to maintain control, while provincial governors hoarded wealth, tortured predecessors, and entrenched corruption.
Rather than strengthening the empire, these policies steadily weakened it. Every battlefield gain came at the cost of domestic stability. As the pressure mounted, the Umayyads were unknowingly laying the groundwork for their own downfall—making it easier for another movement to rise and challenge their rule.
Join us as we examine this turbulent period of fleeting victories, deepening unrest, and the first signs of the empire’s unraveling.
In this episode of the Umayyad Caliphate, we continue our exploration of Caliph Hisham ibn Abdul Malik’s reign as the Umayyad Caliphate faces mounting crises across its vast empire.
The year is 110 AH (728 CE), and the empire’s edges are on fire.
In the Caucasus, Maslamah ibn Abdul Malik leads a grueling campaign against the Khazar Khaganate through the treacherous Darial Pass. Despite claiming victory, his retreat is chaotic, marked by ambushes, torrential rain, and widespread exhaustion. Meanwhile, cracks appear in the empire’s eastern front. In Khurasan, a well-intentioned tax policy by Governor Ashras unleashes a wave of conversions among non-Arab Muslims—but when the policy is reversed, these new converts revolt. Their rebellion draws in the powerful Turgesh Khaganate, sparking a devastating loss for the Umayyads at the Battle of Baykand and the bloody Siege of Karmajah.
We also examine the collapse of Muslim authority in India, the chaotic military campaigns in Anatolia led by Hisham’s sons, and the shocking fall of Ardabil to the Khazars—a disaster that results in the death of a Muslim governor and the capture of tens of thousands of civilians.
As we move through these events, we see a common theme: a once-dominant caliphate now overstretched, undermanned, and increasingly reactive. The Muslim armies are no longer conquering; they’re fighting to survive. Strategic missteps, overreliance on loyalist Syrian troops, and a refusal to adapt military policy are setting the stage for further instability.
This episode paints a grim but necessary portrait of an empire entering a period of sustained decline. From Armenia to Transoxiana, we witness the human cost of imperial overreach—and the resilience of those left to defend a collapsing frontier.
Enjoy this promotional episode from The Umayyad Caliphate Season 4. Subscribe via Patreon, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, or Spotify.
In this special recap episode, we revisit the grand saga of the Mughal Empire—its rise, zenith, and eventual decline. From Babur’s bold conquests to Aurangzeb’s vast reign, we reflect on the emperors, battles, culture, and legacies that shaped South Asia’s history. Join us as we connect the threads of this epic journey and set the stage for what’s next.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-12".
In this episode, we delve into the dramatic fall of Bahadur Shah II, the last Mughal emperor. Discover how the 1857 Revolt sealed his fate, leading to his deposition and exile to Rangoon. We explore the end of a dynasty that once ruled vast territories, marking the twilight of Mughal power and the dawn of British dominance in India.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-11".
Explore how rising racism among British officials and the East India Company shaped colonial policies and strained relations with Indian sepoys. This episode delves into the deepening divide, fueled by prejudice and power, that set the stage for rebellion and resistance.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-10".
In the early 1800s, the Mughal emperor was little more than a figurehead under East India Company rule. This episode unpacks how the Company tightened its grip on Delhi, controlled imperial authority, and set the stage for the empire’s final decline, shaping the future of British rule in India.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-9"
In this episode, we dive into the brutal rise and fall of Ghulam Qadir, the Rohilla chieftain who seized Delhi in 1788, humiliated the Mughal court, and infamously blinded Emperor Shah Alam II. A tale of betrayal, vengeance, and imperial decline—this is the shocking story of one of the Mughal Empire’s darkest chapters.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-8"
Explore the life of Mirza Najaf, a formidable Persian mercenary in the Mughal era. From his strategic prowess on the battlefield to his influence in shaping Mughal politics, this episode delves into the legacy of a warrior who bridged cultures and left an indelible mark on Indian history.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-7"
In this episode, we uncover the brief and bizarre reign of Emperor Shah Jahan II, who ascended the Mughal throne in absentia after his father’s assassination. Overshadowed by court intrigue and swiftly dethroned, his story is a testament to the empire’s turbulent decline. Tune in for this forgotten chapter of history!
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-6"
In this episode, we uncover the tumultuous rise of Imad ul Mulk, the Mughal Grand Vizier who played a pivotal role in the empire’s decline. From court intrigues to his betrayal of the emperor, discover how his ruthless ambition reshaped Mughal politics and hastened the empire’s fragmentation.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-5"
Nizam-ul-Mulk, also known as Asaf Jah I, rose to prominence as a skilled administrator and military commander under the Mughal Empire before founding the Hyderabad State in 1724. Disillusioned by the weakening Mughal central authority, he established an independent dominion in the Deccan, leveraging his strategic acumen and strong support among local elites.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-4"
Ahmad Shah Durrani, also known as the "Father of Modern Afghanistan," rose to power in 1747 after uniting various Afghan tribes following the collapse of the Persian Safavid Empire. As the founder of the Durrani Empire, he leveraged his military prowess and strategic alliances to expand his rule across Afghanistan, parts of modern-day Pakistan, and northern India.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-3"
Nader Shah, provoked by Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah’s failure to address Afghan incursions that disrupted Persian trade routes, an opportunity to exploit the weakened empire and expand his power.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-2"
In this episode, we discuss Emperor Muhammad Shah Rangeela. His reign (1719–1748) is often remembered for its indulgence in luxury and neglect of governance. Known as the "playboy emperor," he prioritized personal pleasures, art, and music over the pressing political and military challenges of the Mughal Empire.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-1"
Season 10, the final chapter in the Mughal saga, is here.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "10-0"
This is an interview I did recently with Sister Mariya from the Muslim Mum YouTube channel.
In this episode, we discuss my background, the history of black Muslims in the United States, and what to make of a new Trump presidency.
I sit down with Imam Marc Manley of Middle Ground Islamic Center in southern California. We talk about his journey to acquire Islamic knowledge, the problem with how we're taught Arabic, and the moral decay of modern pop music, especially hip-hop.
Visit his blog imammarc.com and subscribe to his podcast Middle Ground Podcast
Sudanese-American Mazin Khalil explains the history and politics behind the current civil war in Sudan.
Donate to the Sudanese American Physicians Association
Discussing Islam in Black America with Atlanta-based activist and da'ee, Bilal Stroud.
Support Bilal's dawah efforts here.
https://gofund.me/d5428959
I sit down with Br. Majid Hussein from the Muslim Podcast to discuss the recent anti-Muslim riots in the UK.
Farrukh Siyar angers the wrong people.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-16"
Farrukh Siyar revolts against Jahandar.
Download my notes for this episode by joining the Telegram group and searching for "9-15".
A new alliance brings a new Emperor.
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The short reign of Bahadur Shah,
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Why did Aurangzeb impose the jizyah?
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The final days of Aurangzeb.
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Aurangzeb fights Afghans, English, Marathas, and Rajputs.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-10"
The Marathas and the Deccan are problems for Aurangzeb.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-9"
A winner emerges from the fratricidal war.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-8"
The fratricidal war begins.
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Shah Jahan's ambitions cause problems for the Mughals.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-6"
The death of Jahangir and the rise of Shah Jahan.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-5"
As Jahangir grows sicker and more dependent on his wife and opium, a political scuffle begins.
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Jehangir deals with a rebellion led by his son.
Want to see my notes for this episode? Join us on Telegram and search for "9-3"
The death and legacy of Akbar the Great.
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Introducing Season 9 of the Islamic History Podcast where we continue the story of the Mughal Empire.
Beginning of the Umayyad Caliphate Season 2. We recap Season 1, provide expectations for Season 2, and continue our discussion of Ibn al-Ash'ath's rebellion.
Discussing the development of the Islamic Caliphate from the death of Prophet Muhammad to the death of Ibn Zubayr.
As-Salaamu Alaikum, welcome back to Islamic History Exclusive.
This is the podcast exclusively for Patreon subscribers of the Islamic History Podcast.
In this series, we are going over the life of Salahuddin al-Ayyubi known to the west as Saladin.
In today’s episode, we’ll be discussing the Battle of Hattin.
But before we get into that, let's begin with a recap of where we are so far.
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From 1183 to 1185, Salahuddin launches several raids into Frankish Palestine and Transjordan
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The Franks, stymied by infighting and weak leadership, are unable to respond appropriately
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Baldwin IV dies in 1186 and his eight-year-old nephew, Baldwin V takes the throne
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Salahuddin falls gravely ill in the winter of 1186 and his empire almost disintegrates
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Once he recovers, Salahuddin makes peace with the Zengis and Mosul becomes a vassal
And with that, let’s discuss the Battle of Hattin, one of the most important events in Muslim history.
Ibn Zubayr's governor is in Kufah but the Shiite's do not recognize his authority. Two groups of Shiites are growing in Kufah and they want to get revenge for Husayn ibn Ali's death.
Akbar tries to remove all religious divisions in his empire by creating a new religion.
Akbar is only a teenager when he becomes the Mughal emperor and everyone wants a piece of him.
India is in chaos and the people want Humayun to come back. Can he pull off one of the greatest comebacks in history?
After losing his empire, Humayun receives help from an unlikely source: the Safavid Empire.
As Humayun struggles to establish his authority, Portugal struggles to create a new trade network in the subcontinent.
With the Rajputs pacified for the time being, Babur turns his attention to his Afghan enemies.
Babur has two major obstacles standing in his way in India. One of them, are the Rajputs, a mighty warrior caste.
Babur begins his first raids into India setting the stage for the establishment of the Mughal Dynasty.
Babur begins his invasion of Afghanistan but has to deal with the Uzbek warlord, Shaybani Khan.
Hulegu Khan and the Ilkhanate initiates a siege on the Abbasid capital of Baghdad in 1258.
Genghis Khan leads his Mongol army into Central Asia. One of his first opponents, is the Muslim Khwarezm Shah Empire. This begins the long, bloody, and brutal Mongol invasion of the Muslim world.
In this episode, we discuss the rise of Genghis Khan, and how he united the Mongol tribes and began expanding into China and Central Asia.
The Muslim soldiers of the Abbasid Caliphate prepare to face off with the Chinese soldiers of the Tang Dynasty.
The Battle of Talas was a pivotal moment in history and one of the earliest engagements between Muslim and Chinese forces.
This battle involved the forces of the new Abbasid Caliphate, going up against a resurgent Tang Dynasty. Both empires wanted to secure their hold over Central Asia and its valuable Silk Road routes.
This episode discusses the origins of the two sides in this conflict.
In this episode, I interview Brother Wali Muhammad, an elder from my local Masjid.
We discuss his journey growing up a black man in North Carolina and how he went from Christianity to the Nation of Islam and finally to mainstream Islam.
Politics in the Mughal capital of Delhi have a major impact on Malik Ambar's desire to keep Ahmadnagar independent.
Politics in the Mughal capital of Delhi have a major impact on Malik Ambar's desire to keep Ahmadnagar independent.
Malik Ambar continues to lead the Ahmadnagar Sultanate's resistance against the Mughal Empire.
Malik Ambar continues to lead the Ahmadnagar Sultanate's resistance against the Mughal Empire.
Malik Ambar was an East African Muslim who was also the effective ruler of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in the Deccan region of India.
In this episode, we'll discuss Malik Ambar's rise to power in the Deccan.
Part 3 of a collaboration with Maajid Hussain of the Islamic Vibes Podcast discussing Islam, slavery, and Africa.
Part 2 of a collaboration with Maajid Hussain of the Islamic Vibes Podcast discussing Islam, slavery, and Africa.
This is a collaboration with Maajid Hussain of the Islamic Vibes Podcast discussing Islam, slavery, and Africa.
Basically, Muslim’s role in the African slave trade. That is, Muslims in general, and Arabs in particular.
Originally aired: December 22, 2019
Why are so many Muslims distrustful of the Freemasons? In this episode, we'll explore the history of Freemasons and their relationship, if any, to Islam.
With Hijra from Gobir, Shehu Uthman dan Fodiyo launches a jihad against the rulers of Hausaland. Little by little, the Sokoto Caliphate begins to take shape.
The Sokoto Caliphate was one of the most influential and famous sub-Saharan Islamic empires. Founded by Shehu Uthman dan Fodio, the Sokoto Caliphate was born from a struggle against injustice.
Read and download some of Shehu Uthman dan Fodio's works.
While in Volga Bulgaria, Ibn Fadlan witnesses a Viking funeral and records what he saw. We'll also compare the historical Ibn Fadlan to the Hollywood version.
Ibn Fadlan traveled to the land of the Volga Bulgarians as part of an embassy from the Abbasid Caliph. While there, he encountered a group of Vikings and recorded what he witnessed
2 million ethnic-Albanian Kosovars are ruled by 200000 Serbs. Serbian President, Slobodan Milosevic, built his political platform on repressing the Kosovars. And they're tired of it.
After the fall of Srebrenica and Zepe, and another market attack, the United States is finally ready to take the lead in ending the war in Bosnia.
A discussion on the history of the current Ukraine conflict and how it may impact the Muslim world.
Frustrated with the European's and UN's handling of the violence in Bosnia, the United States takes a more active role.
After a deadly market massacre and a siege on Gorazde, the United Nations finally calls on NATO to conduct airstrikes.
The United Nations played a dubious role in the Bosnian War. The UN did little to stop the violence and their presence actually enabled the Bosnian Serbs to commit atrocities.
As the war intensifies in late 1992, the Bosniaks are faced with a new enemy: their former Croatian allies.
With the violence in Croatia complete, all eyes turn to Bosnia which is also considering seceding from Yugoslavia.
Tensions rise in Yugoslavia as up and coming politician, Slobodan Milosevic, pushes an aggressive form of Serb nationalism.
Two world wars change the fate of the Balkans forever. Marshal Josep Broz Tito to rises to power as the leader of Yugoslavia.
Bosnia becomes part of the Austria-Hungary Kingdom in 1878. For the first time ever, Bosnian Muslims are under the authority of a non-Muslim government.
We look at how Islam came to Bosnia and the impact of Ottoman and Islamic culture on Bosnia.
The Byzantine Empire (what's left of it, anyway) has been a thorn in the Ottoman's side for too long. Sultan Mehmed II prepares to conquer Constantinople.
Shocked by the Ottoman victory at Kosovo in 1389, Western and Eastern Europe unite in a Crusade to drive them out of the Balkans for good.
Prince Lazar of Serbia leads a Christian coalition against the Ottomans who are rapidly expanding into the Balkans.
From the steppes of Central Asia, thousands of Turkish people migrate to Anatolia and the Middle East.
These new arrivals become first the Seljuk Turks, then the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, and finally, the Osmanlis.
Mohammed Artan joins us to talk about the history of Islam in Somalia.
Mohammed Artan was born in Somalia, raised in the Netherlands, and currently lives in England. He is the director and founder of Looh Press, a publishing company specializing in Islamic, African, and Somali studies resources.
Click here to get the show notes for this episode.
Click here to become a member of Islamic History Exclusive.
The Arab Spring brings even more turmoil to the Middle East while Hamas and Fatah battle for control of Palestine. And in Iraq, the Insurgency morphs into a new threat called DAESH.
Things get worse in both Iraq and Palestine. The Second Intifada leads to more deaths on both sides. Meanwhile, the insurgency in Iraq is in full force.
The Middle East peace process begins to fracture as Israel adopts a harder stance. Things get worse for the Palestinians after the 9-11 attacks. And then the US launches another war against Iraq.
The Eighties are full of turmoil with a civil war in Lebanon, a war between Iran and Iraq, and the First Intifada.
But the world is hopeful for peace between Palestine and Israel.
After the 1948 war, the Middle East is in turmoil with constant conflict between Israel and the Arab nations. At the same time, a civil war is brewing in Lebanon.
After the British mandate ends, Israel declares its independence. The Arab League declares war and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War is underway.
A new German threat forces the world to focus on Europe. This new world war will change the fate of the Middle East, especially Palestine, forever.
With Sharif Hussein losing British support, Abdul Aziz ibn Saud prepares to invade the Hijaz. This will lead to the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mustafa Kemal leads the Turkish Nationalists against the foreign occupiers. However, the British and Greeks are determined to stop him.
Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, the ruler of Najd, prepares to invade the Hijaz but the British make him back down. Having defeated the Rashidis, the Hashemites are the last significant rival to Saudi dominance in Arabia.
In the eighteenth century, a Muslim scholar named Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab begins teaching his literalist interpretation of Islam in central Arabia. He teams up with a local governor named Muhammad ibn Saud to conquer Arabia.
Prince Faisal really wants Syria but neither the French nor the British want to give it to him.
Outraged by the Turkish resistance in Anatolia, Lloyd George forces the puppet Ottoman Sultan to sign the Treaty of Sevres.
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The British are planning to implement the Balfour Declaration while trying to get a handle on how to govern Iraq.
Meanwhile, the Allies from WWI are busy occupying Anatolia. But it's not going as planned.
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Welcome to Season 6 of the Islamic History Podcast.
In this season, we will discuss 100 years of Middle Eastern history after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
We will begin with the aftermath of the World War I and end with the election of Donald Trump.
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Become a member at Islamic History Exclusive.
Hassam Munir calls himself the “brofessor of Islamic History”, because his goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the general public in the field of Islamic history.
Born in Pakistan, he has lived in Toronto, Canada for the past 20 years.
He completed a BA in History and Communication Studies from York University in 2017, and is now pursuing an MA in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern History from the University of Toronto, 2020.
Hassam is also Public Relations Manager and a research fellow at the Yaqeen Institute of Islamic Research.
In October 2017, he was recognized by Heritage Toronto as an ‘Emerging Historian’ in the city.
He has a broad range of experience in the fields of journalism and public history.
Click here to read Br. Hassam's personal blog.
Click here to read Br. Hassam's work with Yaqeen Institute.
Part 27 of a series on the partition of the Ottoman Empire mostly focusing on their role in WWI.
In this episode, we discuss the end of the war, the peace treaties, and the final partitioning of the Ottoman Empire.
Part 26 of a series on the partition of the Ottoman Empire mostly focusing on their role in WWI.
In this episode, we discuss the outbreak of the Spanish Flu, the fall of Damascus, and the implementation of the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
Part 25 of a series on the partition of the Ottoman Empire mostly focusing on the their role in WWI.
In this episode, we discuss Enver Pasha's role in Libya, the implementation of the Balfour Declaration in Palestine, and the British attempts to invade Transjordan.
The Ottomans are outnumbered in Palestine as the British have set their sights on Jerusalem.
Part 23 of a series on the partition of the Ottoman Empire mostly focusing on their role in WWI. This episode discusses the British attempts to invade Gaza in mid-1917.
Lloyd George's plan to create a Jewish home in Palestine is backed by growing support for Zionism in Britain.
My thoughts and opinions about the killing of George Floyd, the subsequent protests, and race relations among American Muslims.
The history of conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire is long, bloody, and complicated.
Outnumbered and facing starvation, the Germans are getting desperate, and willing to risk bringing the US into the war.
Frustrated with the government's poor war effort, the British public chooses a new leader. And he wants to make the defeat of the Ottomans a priority.
Underestimating Ottoman capabilities, the British attempt to invade Mesopotamia with devastating consequences.
Ottoman-Armenian relations started to get really bad towards the end of the 19th century. But once the Great War started, they got even worse.
With Sharif Hussein's promising to rebel against the Ottomans, the British and French have plans of their own. Mark Sykes and Francois Georges-Picot meet in London to discuss their vision of the future of the Middle East.
Sir Henry McMahon, British High Commission to Egypt, begins a deliberately vague series of letters with Sharif Hussein of Mecca.
The British have a problem as they can't keep their promises to Sharif Hussein and the French at the same time.
A mysterious individual named Al-Faruqi is feeding misleading information to Sharif Hussein and the British.
The British finally realize their Gallipoli campaign is futile and Winston Churchill takes the blame.
The Britain's Gallipoli campaign stalls while the Young Turks make some critical changes.
Sir Mark Sykes goes to work for the British War Office and buys into Kitchener's idea of an Arab Caliphate.
The Three Pashas lead the Ottomans into war and immediately face difficulty against the Russians and the British.
British India is not to crazy about Lord Kitchener's plan to create an "Arab Caliphate."
The British begin courting Sharif Hussein ibn Ali, the ruler of Mecca, enticing him to rebel against the Ottomans.
Germany's early victories convince the unprepared Ottomans to enter the conflict that will become World War I
The Ottoman Empire was already well in decline by 1914 and had earned the moniker "Sick Man of Europe."
We are going to the Israel-Palestine conflict, one of the most controversial subjects of your time. And in true fashion, we're going to try our best to avoid bias.
This will be a multipart series. In this first episode, we discuss the history of the Jews and Arabs. We start from the biblical era and end up on the eve of WWI.
More episodes about Palestine are available at IslamicHistoryPodcast.com/Palestine.
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by becoming a patron at Patreon.com/IslamicHistory.
In this episode, I sit down with Br. Zulfikar Sarosh and discuss more details about Pakistan's history.
Most importantly, we dig into the history of Kashmir and the possible future for this troubled region.
Support the Islamic History podcast by becoming a Patreon subscriber (and get a lot of bonus episodes!)
We'll continue the journey of Partition as the Indian subcontinent becomes two new nations.
The All-India Muslim League is in a desperate struggle for relevancy. They have to prove to Britain, the Indian National Congress, and India's Muslim, that they are a political force.
This episode explores how Islam came to Pakistan. Then we'll take a look at the British government that ruled the Indian subcontinent for over a hundred years.
Finally, we'll look at the political developments as Indian Muslims and Hindus try to gain an upper hand in the fight for independence.
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
The story of the interaction between the Ismaili Assassins, Salahuddeen al-Ayubi, and the Mongols.
We're trying something new today.
I sit down with my teenage daughter Balquis and talk about a lot of random things. But we do eventually get around to talking about Pakistan.
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by becoming a sponsor at Patreon.com/IslamicHistory.
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan was born on August 14, 1947, with the partition of British India. This partition divided the former British colony into two nations, India and Pakistan.
There is a saying in Pakistan that the country is run by the Three A’s: Allah, the army and America.
In this episode, we will explore the role each of these factors have had in the development and history of Pakistan.
Show notes available at IslamicHistoryPodcast.com/Pakistan.
Support the Islamic History Podcast by visiting Patreon.com/IslamicHistory.
The Shah of Iran is unknowingly planting the seeds of rebellion. His secret police stifle political dissent. He's dismissive of the religious community. He ignorant the effects of his economic policies.
Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khomeini is in exile but slowly building his base and sharpening his message. Despite his advanced age, he's confident the people of Iran want more than the Shah's empty materialism.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Iran2
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page:
Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi became the Shah of Iran at twenty-two years of age. He would go from a powerless figurehead to one of the most powerful monarchs in the region.
However, the Shah was brought down by an obscure Shiite scholar name Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. In this episode, we'll start to discover the history behind the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at:
http://islamiclearningmaterials.com/Iran1
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
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The Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar (formerly Burma) are one of the most persecuted people's on the globe. They are not wanted in Burma nor in any other country. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya live as refugees in Bangladesh and other countries.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Burma
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page:
This is the third and final episode on the series about Islam in West Africa.
As the Mali Empire declines, another is on the rise. In the forgotten city of Gao, the Sunni Dynasty emerges to make the Songhay Empire the dominant force in West Africa. This is done by two very different men. Sunni Ali is a brutal conqueror who strikes fear in the people he conquers. The other is Askia Muhammad, a former slave who rises to become the hope of the Songhay Empire.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Noes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Askia.
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript of this episode
- Social media links to follow the podcast
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon (great stuff awaits you if you do)
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You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Askia
This is the second episode in our series on Islam in West Africa.
In this episode, we're going to explore the origins of the Empire of Mali. We'll also take a look at two of its most popular rulers: Sundiata and Mansa Musa. Sundiata is mostly known through the Epic of Sundiata. While Mansa Musa is mostly known because of his famous Hajj pilgrimage.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Mali
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript of this episode
- Social media links to follow the podcast
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon (great stuff awaits you if you do)
- Subscribe on iTunes
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You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Mali
The first in a series to look at the empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. In this episode, we will introduce the series and take an in-depth look at the city-state of Gao and the rise and fall of the Ghana Empire.
We'll also discuss one of the more complicated and difficult topics in Islam: African Slavery.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ghana
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript of this episode
- Social media links to follow the podcast
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ghana
With Sana'a under Houthi control, the beleaguered Yemeni government calls out for help. They request military intervention from the GCC nations.
Saudi Arabia leads a charge to remove the Houthis from the capital and restore President Hadi to power. But the Houthis have not gotten this far by accident. They are on a mission, and they are determined to see it through.
In this episode, we'll see the repercussions of the Saudi-led air campaign against the Houthis. We'll get a peek at the international community use Yemen, President Hadi, and the Houthis like pieces in a chess game.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen2
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript of this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
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You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen2
In September 2014, the Houthis captured the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. A few months later, Saudi Arabia launched a campaign to remove the Houthis and reinstall President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to power.
The Saudi-led coalition has pummeled Yemen with airstrikes, leading to thousands of deaths. Many people blame Saudi Arabia for the high death toll in Yemen, but what role did the Houthis play?
Who are the Houthis in the first place? And how did they rise to power in Yemen?
This episode explores the history of Yemen and how it came to be a nation torn into many pieces.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript of this episode
- Follow the podcast on social media
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
You can do it all and more on the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Yemen
Aisha, the Prophet's wife, is the victim of salacious gossip and rumors. With no one else to help her, she realizes she can only rely on Allah.
Meanwhile, Prophet Muhammad must work hard to keep his small community together. Even though the leader of the hypocrites, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, will do everything to make him fail.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ifk
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Download of my recent Khutbah, Family and Faith
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ifk
Instead of bringing peace, the Umayyad victory at Karbala brings even more instability to the Empire. Now the Muslims of Mecca and Medina are more determined than ever to shake off the Umayyad yoke.
In Mecca, Abdullah ibn Zubayr is quietly building his support. He refuses to openly oppose Banu Umayyah, but everyone knows he's up to something.
In Medina, Yazid is quickly losing his grip. Everything he does turns the Muslims of Medina against him even more.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Medina
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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Husayn and his group are trapped at Karbala. He tries to negotiate with Banu Umayyah, but it goes nowhere.
This episode explores one of the most tragic and pivotal events in Islamic history. With this episode, the political faction known as Shi'atu Ali become the Shia religious sect.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Karbala2
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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Husayn is unaware of the fate of his cousin, Muslim ibn Aqeel, in Kufah. The last thing Husayn knew, the Shia in Kufah were waiting for him. With this knowledge, Husayn leaves Mecca with several members of his family, including women and children.
But things are not good in Kufah. Ubaydullah, the governor of Kufah, is ready for Husayn and has sent Umar ibn Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas with an army of 4000 men to greet him.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Karbala1
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Karbala1
Husayn sends his cousin, Muslim ibn Aqil, to see if he really does have support in Kufah. However, Yazid ibn Muawiyyah also sent his ruthless governor, Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad. The two men struggle for the heart and soul of this troubled city.
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Muawiyyah dies and as planned, his son Yazid succeeds him as Caliph. But there are many people in the Muslim Empire who do not agree with this.
Two of them are Husayn ibn Ali and Abdullah ibn Zubayr. They refuse to give Yazid the pledge and flee to Mecca. Ibn Zubayr begins to build alliances there while Husayn is being courted by the people of Kufah.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Husayn
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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Muawiyyah and his administration have subdued the Muslim Empire. Most of Iraq has settled down and his detractors have fell silent. But Muawiyyah is concerned about the future. What's going to happen when he's gone?
The Caliph conspires with his governors to turn the Caliphate to a monarchy. Muawiyyah does not believe the old ways of choosing the next Caliph works. He believes it needs to become a family affair.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/NorthAfrica
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/NorthAfrica
The Umayyads had the practice of cursing Ali during their sermons. Many of the party of Ali did not like that.
One of these men was Hujr ibn Adi, a companion and commander in Ali's army. When he heard the Umayyads cursing Ali, he would shout at them and to make them stop.
But Ziyad ibn Abihi, the governor of Kufah and Basra, would not tolerate such defiance. He decided to find Hujr and make an example of him for others
This episode chronicles the story of Hujr ibn Adi and one of the early incidents that led to the split between Sunnis and Shiites.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Hujr
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Hujr
Basra is starting to slip out of control with rampant crime and too much rebellion. Muawiyyah is ready to bring in someone new; however, this new guy has a scandalous past.
In this episode we're introduced to Ziyad ibn Abihi, Muawiyyah's brutal governor of Basra. We'll see how Ziyad rises from obscurity to become the second most powerful man in the Empire.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ziyad
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes Page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ziyad
Welcome back to another season of the Islamic History Podcast!
In this season, we're going to mostly cover the Umayyad Dynasty. The first several episodes will be focused on the founder of this dynasty, Muawiyyah ibn Abi Sufyan.
Today's episode is an introduction to Syria and Kufah during this period. We'll take a look at the challenges the new Muslim Caliph had to face in the never ending Khawarij threat.
We'll discover how the early Muslim administrations were governed and some amazing details you probably never knew.
This is guaranteed to be an episode that will both educate and entertain you.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Kufah
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Kufah
As Ali struggled against the Khawarij, his grip on the Caliphate began to slip.
Support the podcast by making a pledge at Patreon.com/IslamicHistory
After defeating Aisha at the Battle of the Camel, Ali held most of the Islamic Empire. The only holdout, was Muawiyyah, the powerful governor of Syria.
But things soon started to unravel for Ali.
He was having trouble maintaining control of Egypt, and Muawiyyah was making some strong allies. Nonetheless, the two parties engaged in rigorous negotiations in the hopes of avoiding warfare.
Despite these attempts, fighting looked inevitable. As the year 36 AH drew to a close, Ali began moving his forces toward the Syrian border. This would lead to a showdown with Muawiyyah known as the Battle of Siffeen.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ali3
Here's some of what you'll find:
- The transcript for this episode
- Links to the Muslim Podcast of the Week
- Links to other related resources
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ali3
Talhah and Zubair pledged allegiance to Ali ibn Abi Talib on the condition that he find and punish those responsible for murdering Uthman. But after several months, not much progress had been made.
In fact, many of those who were known opponents of Uthman, were now working with Ali. Because of this, many of the influential companions did support him.
One of those who did not support Ali was the Prophet's widow, Aisha. She had cobbled together a force with the intention of punishing Uthman's killers. Talhah and Zubair joined her, and before long, Aisha had almost 3000 men under her command.
But things quickly spiraled out of hand and Aisha found herself facing off against Ali ibn Abi Talib. This monumental battle would go down in history as one the most damaging and significant in Islamic history.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. You'll find various links, articles, and videos related to this episode.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Camel
Here's some of what you'll find:
- Transcript for this episode
- This week's book recommendation
- Audio of one of my past khutbahs
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
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You can do it all at the Show Notes page: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Camel
Ali's Caliphate was already in trouble.
The Umayyah clan was suspicious of him. Muawiyyah refused to acknowledge his leadership. There were gangs of bandits were roaming through Medina. And many companions refused to support him.
And to make things worse, Aisha, the Prophet's widow, was stirring things up in Mecca.
Aisha was outraged that Uthman's killers were still on the loose in Medina. She decided to take matters into her own hands. She rallied the people of Mecca and organized a group to find those responsible for killing Uthman.
These two figures, Ali and Aisha, are the most divisive figures in Islam. Sunni and Shiite both love and respect Ali, but the Shiites hold him to a much higher degree than Sunnis.
Aisha is a different story altogether. Sunni Muslims adore Aisha, but Shiites hate her. They accuse her of rebelling against Ali and attempting to overthrow him.
After the show is over, be sure to visit the Show Notes page. You'll find various links, articles, and videos related to this episode.
The Show Notes are available at: IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ali1
Here's some of what you'll find:
- Transcript for this episode
- This week's book recommendation
- Nasheed of the Week video
- My recent khutbah
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
You can do it all at the Show Notes page IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Ali1
For several years, there had been a low level of discontent in the Muslim empire. While most of the inhabitants were happy, there were a significant number who were not.
Caliph Uthman had already spoken to his governors to try to get a handle on what was happening. Though they had many ideas, no one came up with a decision to fix the problem.
So Uthman decided to hold another meeting, but this everyone was invited. He hoped to speak with the malcontents directly and see what was happening.
The meeting was successful in that Uthman was managed to defend his decisions and found out why so many people were disaffected. He even agreed to several of their demands.
Unfortunately, some of them would not be satisfied until Uthman was completely out of the picture.
There's more to this show than just this single episode. Visit the show notes page for more links, articles, and videos related to this episode.
Show notes for this episode are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman5.
Here's some of what you'll find:
- Transcript for this episode
- Link to this week's book recommendation
- Video to this week's favorite Nasheed
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family
You can do it all at the Show Notes page IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman5.
Many people mark the beginning of Uthman's troubles with the loss of the Prophet's rings.
But things really got bad for Uthman when he lost the support of the esteemed companion, Ammar ibn Yasir.
The antagonism against Uthman was growing in three main locations: Egypt, Kufah, and Basrah. The rest of the empire was calm and had no problems with his administration.
No matter how what Uthman did, he could not get to the bottom of their malcontent. These mysterious complaints against have led some to believe a nefarious individual was behind everything.
However, the reality was much more mundane. There were simply many people who did not agree with the way Uthman did things. Uthman was an old man and allowed trusted members of his family to run the government.
Unfortunately, when things went bad, it was Uthman who took all the blame
Show notes for this episode are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman4
Here's some of the things you'll find:
- Transcript for this episode
- Links to various related episodes
- Video to this week's favorite Nasheed, "Happy" by Omar Esa.
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Become a sponsor
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You can do it all and more at the Show Notes page IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman4
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One of the most troublesome spots in the Muslim world was the Iraqi city of Kufah. The people were fickle, restless, and never satisfied with their governor. Uthman had to change their governor no less than three times.
Uthman's popularity took another hit during the Hajj of 649. Seemingly inconsequential actions had major repercussions.
But the most important event during this period was the one that would bring the most benefit. Upon discovering the message of the Quran was in danger of being diluted and fractured, Uthman took immediate stops to reverse this trend.
What came out of this was a standard, official compilation of the Quran that remains to this day.
But even this great achievement came with its problems. Ultimately, it was just another chance for Uthman's opponents to gripe about him.
The fun doesn't end when the podcast does. Visit the Show Notes page for more links, articles, and videos related to this episode
Show notes for this episode are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman3
Here's some of the things you'll find:
- Transcript for this episode
- A link to the article "Do You And Your Muslim Spouse Speak the Same Language?" by Subhanah Wahhaj.
- Video to this week's favorite Nasheed, "Jannah" by Deen Squad.
You can support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
- Subscribe on iTunes
- Share with your friends and family.
You can do it all at the Show Notes page IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman3
Uthman has been accused of often appointing his family members to high positions. And in many instances that was true.
But some of his appointments were still very good, even if they were related to him. An example of that is Muawiyyah ibn Abu Sufyan.
In addition to finding favor with the Prophet of Islam, Muawiyyah was a competent governor of Syria. One of his earliest successes was the building of the first Muslim navy.
But he would run into trouble when another companion, Abu Dharr, begins to criticize the way some Muslims lived.
Abu Dharr was not one to hold his tongue; not even for the governor of Syria nor for the Caliph. When Abu Dharr's speech begins to rub people the wrong way, Uthman has to make some changes.
Unfortunately, he was unaware how those changes would damage his reputation.
Show notes for this episode are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman2
Some things you'll find interesting in the show notes are:
- Transcript for this episode
- "Married Almost 10 Years!" By Subhanah Wahhaj
- Video for favorite Nasheed of the week, "Muslim Queen" by Deen Squad.
Please support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
- Give a monthly pledge on Patreon
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You can do it all at the show notes page IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman2
Uthman Ibn Affan has always been compared to others. Both during his lifetime and after, he has been compared to the Caliph that came before him and the one that would come after him.
There are many factors that contributed to his popularity among a small segment of the Muslim society. Some of them were based on decisions that Uthman made.
But some things were out of his control, such as:
- Not as many conquests as before
- Minority Muslim Arabs ruling over a conquered, non-Muslim people.
- Economic strain from entitlements established by Umar Ibn Al-Khattab.
Still, there were some decisions that Uthman made that make us pause.
One of his most questionable decisions was replacing a popular and successful general like Amr Ibn Al-As with Ibn Abi Sarh.
It did not help that Ibn Abi Sarh had once betrayed Prophet Muhammad. And the fact that he was Uthman's cousin just made things even worse.
Show notes for this episode are available at IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman1
Please support the Islamic History Podcast by doing one (or more) of the following:
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You can do it all at the show notes page IslamicLearningMaterials.com/Uthman1
We're back!
After a long hiatus we discuss the assassination of Umar ibn Al-Khattab and the choice of Uthman as the 3rd Caliph of the Muslim world.
Show notes available at islamiclearningmaterials.com/election
By 641, the Muslims had captured most of the Southwestern part of the Persian Empire.
This area contained the best and most fertile lands and would be modern day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of northwestern Iran.
As mentioned previously, Umar had grown weary of all the fighting and was grateful for their current holdings.
However, the Persian pride was wounded and they couldn't accept a peace treaty with the Muslims.
Emperor Yesdijird made his base in Nihavan and began to build another army to attack the Muslims.
Continue Reading
The Muslims arrived at Alexandria in July 641
It was perhaps the most magnificent and biggest city they've encountered so far
Alexandria was founded by the Greek general Alexander the Great and is named after him
In Arabic it is called Al-Iskandariyah
Alexander meant for it to be a great center of Hellenistic culture
However Alexander left the city under the command of one of his generals soon after founding it. Then he went back on the warpath and never came back
At one point, it was the second most important city in the world after Rome; if Rome was like NYC then Alexandria was like London
Alexandria linked the Greek and Roman parts of Europe with and Arabia and Asia
Continue Reading....
- The Romans, either from fear or incompetence, had done little to stop Amr during this time
- Finally, they had to march out from Babylon to meet Amr near Heliopolis and try to drive him from Egypt for good
- Amr's spies told him of their movements and he planned to go out to meet them in battle.
- But during the night he sent out two smaller forces; one in the hills overlooking the plains...Continue Reading
- In 451, 115 years before Prophet Muhammad, several men representing various facets of Christianity met in Chalcedon in modern Turkey.
- They were discussing how to define the true nature of Christ. They believed he was divine, yet he lived and died like a man.
- 3 weeks later, they decided Jesus Christ had two natures in one: he was both God and man.
- Any Christians who deviated from this belief were declared heretics which immediately led to a schism in the Church
- While most Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians accepted the Chalcedon decree, Armenian, Ethiopian, and Coptic Christians did not...Continue Reading
- In 639, a plague broke out, originating in Nicopolis, or Imwas, in the modern state of Israel.
- The city no longer exists as it was destroyed by Israeli army during Six Day war.
- It is estimated around 20000 people died from this plague. Among them were many prominent Sahabas.
- The most well-knonw of all was Abu Ubaidah, the general that succeeded KIW in Syria
- Another companion was Muadh ibn Jabal - most famous for these instructions he received from Prophet Muhammad before embarking to Syria
Continue reading...
Battle of Qadisiyyah was more devastating for the Persians than the Battle of Yarmouk was for the Romans
Their defeat at Qadisiyyah left the Persian capital exposed to Muslim forces
However, the Roman capital was hundreds of miles away in Constantinople and very safe from Muslim forces
The Romans still had the ability to wage war against the Muslims
However, the Persians were now just trying to survive
We'll look at the events in Syria after Yarmouk first, and then take a look at Persia after Qadisiyyah
- Where we are so far
-- In 632 CE Prophet Muhammad died and Abu Bakr was chosen by the residents of Medina as the Caliph
-- Soon after, several of the Arab tribes that were allied with the Prophet rebelled against Abu Bakr
-- Abu Bakr and his general KIW led a successful campaign to bring these tribes back in line
-- These were known as the Ridda, or Apostasy Wars
-- Abu Bakr commanded KIW to begin an invasion of southern Persia.
-- KIW was successful and conquered most of the area around the Euphrates River
-- At the same time, Abu Bakr also ordered Abu Ubaidah to lead an invasion into Syria
-- Abu Ubaidah ran into strong resistance so Abu Bakr had KIW come from Persia to assist
-- KIW led the Muslims to conquer Syria all the way up to Damascus
-- Back in Medina, Abu Bakr died and Umar ibn Al-Khattab became the Caliph
-- Umar removed KIW as the leader of the Muslim armies and put Abu Ubaidah back in charge
-- The Romans and Syrians got over their initial shock of the Muslim invasion and began a strong counterattack. - In the last episode we discussed how the Romans and Persians began to make a comeback
- Now we'll go into the details of that comeback and the result
- We will first discuss the events in Syria and then those in Persia
In many ways, it was more of an organized mob. There were no uniforms and no ranks.
- Commanders were appointed at will, generally based on accomplishment or tribal position.
- Their weapons was whatever they could find. Many of them came from defeated Persian and Roman soldiers
- Most armies have to deal with supplies and feeding thousands of people. Many of the soldiers traveled with their families
- The Arabs didn't have that problem as they carried their food with them and were used to living on very little
- They could live for days, even weeks on just dates, water, and camel milk.
- This allowed KIW and other commanders to travel long distances with no supply chain or base of operations
- The desert itself was another advantage. Most of the Roman soldiers were not used to it.
- Unless they were invading a city, the Muslims usually fought with their backs to the desert.
- If they were ambushed or fought in the open country, they could slip into the desert where their enemey couldn't follow.
- The four armies sent by Abu Bakr pushed into southern Syria (modern day Jordan) and conquered many small towns
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Two major empires in the area at this time: Persian and Byzantine
- Persian culture and power goes far back into Biblical times, even before Cyrus the Great (islamiclearningmaterials.com/gogandmagog)
- Once conquered by Alexander the Great
- Went through several dynastic changes
- Sassanid Empire was the last non-Muslim Persian dynasty
- Came into power 400 years before Prophet's birth
- By the time Prophet was in Medina, Sassanid Empire was going through political turmoil and very weak
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Reasons for rebellion
- False prophets
- Unwilling to pay Zakah
- Dislike of central authority
- Not fully invested in Islam
- Abu Bakr's five step plan
1. Protect Medina and hold out until Usamah returns with army
2. When Usamah returns divide the army and send them to different parts of Arabian Peninsula
3. Retake central-western Arabia creating a safe zone around Medina
4. Concentrate on the big players (false prophets) and then take on Musailamah
5. When the center's pacified, focus on smaller rebels in north and south
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Looking for Season 1? We have a separate podcast on the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) called: The Prophet Muhammad Podcast.
Welcome to a new season of the Islamic History Podcast. In this season, we're going to cover the first 100 years of history after Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) death.
We will discuss the last days of the Prophet's life as well as the election of Abu Bakr to be his successor. Additionally, we will also see how the Wars of Apostasy began.