Haroon al Rashid is commonly portrayed as a martial caliph, one who menaced the Byzantine empire and led a tireless crusade against them. He is praised in Arab sources for defeating the Greeks time and again, all in defense of the umma’s faith and faithful. While this popular opinion isn’t entirely mistaken, it is remarkably exaggerated, a curiosity which it ... Show More
Aug 2022
Episode 52: Power struggle
Now that we’ve covered Haroon al Rashid’s foreign wars, we can get started with the messy conflicts which took place within the umma, and within his administration itself. The caliphate’s distant west slowly broke away during his reign, but his armies faced off and defeated vario ... Show More
45m 11s
Aug 2022
Episode 53: Downfall of the Baramika
Royal advisors, court attendants, and other officials began to hold some real political power in the Abbasid caliphate, a development which progressed with every caliph who came after the micromanaging al Mansur. The Baramika during al Rashid’s reign represented the pinnacle of t ... Show More
30m 21s
May 2025
Saladin: The Righteousness of the Faith
Saladin, one of the best known generals of the Middle Ages, led the Muslim military’s campaign during the Third Crusade. And won. In hindsight, he was renowned in both the Muslim and Christian worlds, he was a fierce protector of Islam who helped shape the modern Middle East. Sup ... Show More
39m 25s
Mar 2022
Uhud: The First Skirmish ⚔️
With archers defending their backs, Ali ibn Abi Talib starts the skirmish with one on one battles, defeating nine opponents in a row.Quickly, the Qurayshi army becomes demoralized and starts fleeing.Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=493.Subscribe at http://ww ... Show More
47m 7s