Islamic History Podcast
252 episodes - English - Latest episode: 12 days ago - ★★★★★ - 313 ratingsWe 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.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Fall Of The Ottomans 10
May 27, 2019 08:17 - 37 minutes - 34 MBThe British are confident and optimistic about their upcoming battle in the Dardanelles. But they don't know the Ottomans have not done fighting.
A Conversation About Pakistan
May 20, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MBWe'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.
Fall Of The Ottomans Part 9
May 13, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutes - 31.7 MBWith Britain advancing on the Dardanelles, Russia is concerned they'll lose their claim to Istanbul. Meanwhile, a young British politician named Mark Sykes is busy drawing up new borders for a future Middle East. Of course, this future is based on Britain's interests.
The Three A’s Of Pakistan
May 06, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 66.7 MBThe 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 ...
The Three A's Of Pakistan
May 06, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 66.7 MBThe 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 Hist...
The Shah And The Ayatollah Part II
January 07, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBThe 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 avai...
The Shah And The Ayatollah Part I
December 26, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MBShah 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/Ir...
Burma And The Rohingya
October 15, 2018 04:00 - 58 minutes - 47.5 MBThe 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 ot...
The Songhai Empire: Sunni Ali And Askia Muhammad
September 04, 2018 04:00 - 54 minutes - 44.5 MBThis 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 t...
The Mali Empire: Sundiata And Mansa Musa
July 09, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBThis 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 ...
Gao And Ghana
April 30, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 36.3 MBThe 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 th...
Yemen And The Houthis Part II
February 19, 2018 05:00 - 59 minutes - 48.1 MBWith 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 inter...
Yemen And The Houthis Part I
January 02, 2018 05:00 - 50 minutes - 40.5 MBIn 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 explore...
The Slander Against Aisha
October 27, 2017 16:00 - 48 minutes - 39.5 MBAisha, 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 tr...
Anglo-Afghan War Part 3
September 20, 2017 04:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MBThe British have to flee Afghanistan under terrible conditions. They must trek through harsh winter mountains while dodging angry Afghans from all sides.
Bonus: Anglo-Afghan War Part 3
September 20, 2017 04:00 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MBThe British have to flee Afghanistan under terrible conditions. They must trek through harsh winter mountains while dodging angry Afghans from all sides.
Bonus: Anglo-Afghan War Part 2
September 19, 2017 04:00 - 58 minutes - 26.9 MBTensions rise as the British find themselves isolated in Afghanistan and despised by the locals.
Anglo-Afghan War Part 2
September 19, 2017 04:00 - 58 minutes - 26.9 MBTensions rise as the British find themselves isolated in Afghanistan and despised by the locals.
Bonus: Anglo-Afghan War Part 1
September 18, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBThe background history that led the British to invade Afghanistan.
3-10: Mecca And Medina
September 04, 2017 04:30 - 57 minutes - 53.3 MBInstead 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 t...
3-9: Sunnis And Shias
July 31, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBA brief overview of the similarities and differences between Sunni and Shia.
3-8: Husayn And Karbala Part 2
July 17, 2017 05:30 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBHusayn 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 t...
3-7: Husayn And Karbala Part 1
June 19, 2017 04:00 - 44 minutes - 41.7 MBHusayn 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 Note...
3-6: Muslim And Ubaydullah
May 23, 2017 06:53 - 1 hour - 59.8 MBHusayn 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. Click the links below to share The Islamic History Podcast with your friends and family. Facebook Twitter Google Plus LinkedIn And support the Islamic History Podcast with a pledge on Patreon.
3-5: Husayn And Ibn Zubayr
April 17, 2017 04:00 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MBMuawiyyah 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 s...
3-4: Muawiyyah And The Caliphate
March 27, 2017 04:00 - 47 minutes - 44.3 MBMuawiyyah 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 ...
3-3: Muawiyyah And Hujr
March 13, 2017 04:00 - 46 minutes - 43 MBThe 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...
3-2: Muawiyyah And Ziyad
March 06, 2017 05:00 - 47 minutes - 44.1 MBBasra 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 He...
3-1: Muawiyyah and The Khawarij
February 27, 2017 05:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBWelcome 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 ...
2-21: Ali And The Khawarij
January 10, 2017 06:53 - 43 minutes - 40.4 MBAs Ali struggled against the Khawarij, his grip on the Caliphate began to slip. Support the podcast by making a pledge at Patreon.com/IslamicHistory
2-20: Ali And Muawiyyah
January 02, 2017 05:00 - 43 minutes - 40.8 MBAfter 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 ...
2-19: Ali and Basra
December 05, 2016 05:00 - 40 minutes - 18.4 MBTalhah 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'...
2-18: Ali And Aisha
November 28, 2016 05:00 - 39 minutes - 18.3 MBAli'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 grou...
2-17: Uthman and Murder
November 14, 2016 05:00 - 37 minutes - 17.3 MBFor 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....
2-16: Uthman and the People
November 07, 2016 05:00 - 37 minutes - 30.1 MBMany 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...
2-15: Uthman and The Quran
October 10, 2016 04:00 - 38 minutes - 30.7 MBOne 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 ...
2-14: Uthman And Abu Dharr
October 03, 2016 04:45 - 40 minutes - 32.7 MBUthman 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, be...
2-13: Uthman And Egypt
September 26, 2016 05:50 - 48 minutes - 39 MBUthman 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. E...
2-12: Assassination And Election
August 08, 2016 04:00 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBWe'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
2-11: Nihavand And Caltrops
April 11, 2016 04:00 - 26 minutes - 21.5 MBBy 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 t...
2-10: Alexandria And Fustat
March 21, 2016 04:00 - 30 minutes - 24.8 MBThe 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 ...
2-9: ’Amr And Cyrus
March 14, 2016 04:00 - 39 minutes - 31.5 MBThe 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
2-9: 'Amr And Cyrus
March 14, 2016 04:00 - 39 minutes - 31.5 MBThe 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
2-8: Copts And Egypt
March 07, 2016 05:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBIn 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 E...
2-7: Plague And Famine
February 29, 2016 05:00 - 39 minutes - 31.4 MBIn 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 Sy...
2-6: 636 and 637 CE
February 22, 2016 05:00 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBBattle 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...
2-5: Yarmouk And Qadisiyyah
January 25, 2016 05:00 - 1 hour - 89.4 MB- 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 ar...
2-4: Umar and Syria
December 21, 2015 05:00 - 1 hour - 91.1 MBIn 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 ...
2-3: Khalid And Persia
November 16, 2015 05:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MBTwo 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 wea...
2-2: Apostasy And War
September 28, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 32.1 MBReasons 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 p...