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.

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.

The Syrian Military Crisis and Frontier Failures

By 121 AH, the Umayyad Caliphate faced a severe manpower crisis. The empire was almost entirely dependent on its elite Syrian army, but years of constant warfare had decimated their ranks. Devastating losses at the Battle of Akroinon (13,000 casualties) and earlier defeats in France and the Caucasus took a heavy toll. This exhaustion was compounded by the fact that many of these “perpetual jihads” were waged in unrewarding territories like the Caucasus mountains, which offered little wealth but required permanent garrisons of up to 30,000 troops.

The Rebellion of Zayd ibn Ali

A pivotal internal challenge arose in Kufa with the rebellion of Zayd ibn Ali, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. After a series of personal and legal insults from Caliph Hisham, Zayd gathered secret support in Iraq. However, his movement fractured over a theological dispute when he refused to denounce the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar. This led many Shiites (the Rafidah) to abandon him. Ultimately, Zayd launched his revolt early with only 218 men and was killed by a Syrian archer, leading to the crucifixion of his body in Kufa.

The Great Berber Revolt

In 122 AH, the “Great Berber Revolt” erupted in North Africa, signaling the beginning of the end for unified Umayyad control in the West. Driven by systemic mistreatment—including being used as “cannon fodder,” having their livestock seized, and being forced to pay the jizya despite being Muslim—the Berbers adopted Kharijite ideology to justify their resistance. Led by Maysara al-Matghari, the rebels seized Tangier and Morocco. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Wadi Sabu, where the Berber forces annihilated a massive Syrian army of 30,000 to 70,000 men. This defeat resulted in the permanent loss of Morocco and Al-Andalus to the Umayyad central government.

The Umayyad Caliphate, once a dominant global force, currently finds itself in a period of “sustained decline” characterized by imperial overreach and mounting internal crises. Under the long and complex reign of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik, the empire is struggling to maintain its vast frontiers while its domestic foundation begins to crumble.

1. Frontier Warfare and “Hollow” Victories

Between 112–114 AH, the Caliphate faced crushing defeats on nearly every frontier, from the Caucasus to Central Asia. While the empire managed a partial comeback between 115–120 AH—achieving victories against the Turgesh in Central Asia and advances in Sindh—these successes often proved hollow. Each campaign drained the state’s coffers and manpower, leaving the military “overstretched, undermanned, and increasingly reactive” rather than truly conquering.

2. The Struggle of the Mawali and Economic Injustice

A primary source of internal unrest is the treatment of the Mawali (non-Arab converts to Islam). Despite their conversion, the Mawali were often denied equal status and subjected to an unjust tax system that favored Arab Muslims. This violation of Quranic equality led to widespread protests and even open rebellion when well-intentioned tax reforms were suddenly reversed. These marginalized citizens eventually became a core base of support for the movements seeking to overthrow Umayyad rule.

3. Tribal Rivalries and Corruption

To maintain his grip on power, Caliph Hisham deliberately stoked rivalries between major Arab tribal factions, such as the northern Qays and southern Kalb. While this strategy prevented any one group from uniting against him, it severely weakened the empire’s domestic stability. Furthermore, provincial governors often operated with rampant corruption—hoarding wealth and even torturing their predecessors—which further eroded the public’s trust in the central government.

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.

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.

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As-Salaamu Alaikum.

Welcome back to Season 6 of the Islamic History Podcast.

In this season, we are discussing one hundred years of Middle Eastern history after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

This is episode 6-3: Hashemites and Saudis.

Before we get into the episode, let’s do a brief recap of where we are so far.

• Great Britain officially receives a mandate over Palestine and Transjordan at the San Remo Conference
• But Great Britain is already having trouble governing Iraq
• Sharif Hussein, King of the Hijaz and leader of the Hashemite clan, does not feel the Allies kept their promises to him
• France defeats Prince Faisal in the Franco-Syrian War and exile him to Iraq

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As-Salaamu Alaikum.

Welcome back to Season 6 of the Islamic History Podcast.

In this season, we are discussing one hundred years of Middle Eastern history after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

This is episode 6-2: Syria and Anatolia.

Before we get into the episode, let’s do a brief recap of where we are so far.

• After the Ottoman Empire surrenders, the Allies impose their will on the Middle East
• France takes over upper Levant, that is, Syria and Lebanon
• Britain takes over lower Levant, that is, Palestine and Transjordan, as well as Iraq
• In Anatolia, the Allies occupy Istanbul and Turkey leaving the Sultan weak and powerless
• Nonetheless, the Turkish people are already beginning to resist the occupation

Click here to read the full transcript…

As-Salaamu Alaikum.

In this season, we will discuss one hundred years of Middle Eastern history after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

This is episode 6-1: Anatolia and Iraq.

Before we get into the episode, let’s do a brief recap of the previous season.

• The Ottoman Empire is defeated in World War I, surrendering to Great Britain on October 30, 1918.
• In the subsequent peace conferences, Britain and France divide up the Middle East, mostly according to the Sykes-Picot Agreement.
• France gets Syria and Lebanon, while Britain gets Iraq and Palestine.
• Sharif Hussein ibn Ali is made King of the Hijaz.
• And now that Great Britain controls Palestine, Prime Minister Lloyd George wants to implement the Balfour Declaration and make it into a home for the Jewish people.

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Lord Kitchener and Winston Churchill decide to attack the Ottoman Empire through the Dardanelles Strait. The Brits are hoping this will make it possible to outflank the Germans and bring the war to a close.

Enver Pasha, against all advice, leads an attack on the Russian base at Sarakamish in Western Armenia. It’s bad enough he uses outdated Napoleonic tactics. It’s even worse he doesn’t learn from Napoleon’s failures in Russia.

Meanwhile, Djemal Pasha leads an army to attack the British at the Suez Canal. But he has no idea how to actually get across the Canal.

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Meanwhile, Sharif Hussein ibn Ali has his hands full. He has to outmaneuver several adversaries including the Young Turks, Arab nationalists, and the growing threat to the east under Abdul Aziz ibn Saud.

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Hussein ibn Ali, the Sharif of Mecca, might be the perfect ally for the British. Perhaps he’d be willing to let the British help him become the new Caliph of the Arabs?

Meanwhile, the French have their eyes on Syria. They’re concerned British ambitions might lead them to take this prize the French believe is rightfully theirs.

Leading the charge, is the Ottoman Minister of War, Enver Pasha. With the early German victories, Enver is convinced now is the time for the Ottomans to join the fight.

The Ottomans go looking for an ally to protect them against Russia and the Balkan states. But they see an opportunity to strengthen their position while keeping their trues intentions hidden

The Committee for Unity and Progress hopes to salvage the dignity of the Empire. They see the warning signs and know the Empire’s days are numbered if things don’t change.

The Iranian Revolution of 1979 was one of the most important events of the twentieth century. The revolution has forever changed the middle east and how the world approaches political Islam.

The Revolution has directly impacted global alliances, the global economy, and the political balance of power in the Middle East. And it has indirectly created various conflicts, ruined several political careers, and destroyed a handful of nations.

Whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim, Sunni or Shiite, capitalist or socialist, you have been affected by the Iranian Revolution.

In this story, we will look at the lives of the two main players of the Iranian Revolution: The Shah of Iran and Ayatollah Khomeini.

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The Rohingya Muslims of Burma are one of the most oppressed and persecuted peoples in the world. They are a million people with no country and no rights.

Though most Rohingya were born and raised in predominantly Buddhist Burma, the nation does not want them and does not recognize them.

The Rohingya have suffered generations of persecution, oppression, and the denial of basic human rights. They are not recognized as citizens of Burma and the government considers them illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. This is odd considering Bangladesh did not exist before 1971 and the Rohingya were in Burma long before that.

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Timbuktu is one of the most famous ancient cities in Africa, and definitely the most well-known of the Muslim West African empires. During its heyday, it was the most important city in the Mali Empire for both commercial and Islamic reasons.

Timbuktu was founded around 1100 CE by Tuareg nomads who used to rest and water their animals at a nearby well. A slave woman named Buktu had set up a camp near this well to accommodate nomads and other travelers.

The word “Tin” means well in the Tuareg language, and the camp became known as Tin-Buktu; the well of Buktu. But over time, it came to be called Timbuktu.

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One of those newly independent vassals was the Soso kingdom, led by the mysterious Sumanguru.

The blacksmiths held a special place in much of West African society. They were seen as magicians of sorts since they could bring metal out of the ground and fashion it into all sorts of weapons. The blacksmiths held their secrets close and maintained a tight fraternity. In many respects, they were the African equivalent of the European Freemasons.

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For many people, the idea of Islam in sub-Saharan Africa is a mystery.

Certainly, we know that Islam dominates in several African nations such as Senegal, Somalia, and Mali. And we know that there are large Muslim populations in other nations such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana.

But few people understand how Islam came to this area nor its fascinating history. For many people, Africa is a dark void, unknown before the coming of European colonists and slavers.

Needless to say, the exact opposite is true. There were cities, kingdoms, and even empires in Africa long before Christopher Columbus was even born. And some of the most magnificent, wealthiest, and most powerful of these empires, were ruled by dark-skinned, African Muslims.

Click here to continue to reading…

The Houthis had overrun the capital, Sanaa, taken over the national television station, and controlled most of the military’s resources.

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi was a prisoner in the Presidential Palace. His authority did not extend beyond the palace grounds and his troops were surrounded by the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia declared the Houthis a terrorist organization, clearing the way for more aggressive action.

Click here to continue reading…

Also on this date, Nicki Minaj’s song, Anaconda, was number one on the Billboards while the movie “The Maze Runner” opened to box office success.

Internationally, Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba, went public with a $68 per share IPO, garnering the company over $230 billion in market value and making founder, Jack Ma, the richest man in China.

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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.

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Karbala, Iraq 61 AH

Whenever Zaynab closed her eyes, she saw her brother’s lifeless, headless body.

The Umayyads had stabbed her brother over thirty times. After he was dead, a man named Sinan ibn Anas, who was rumored to be slightly insane, had taken off his head.

The Umayyads ripped the clothes off Husayn’s dead body searching for wealth and plunder. But they found nothing. Her brother had very few personal possessions.

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Mosul, Iraq, 71 AH

Qasim ibn Habib walked among the tents, taking care not to draw any suspicion. But he needn’t worried.

Dressed in armor, a mail shirt, with a hefty sword on his side, he looked like any other soldier. And all around him were thousands of other soldiers.

Most of them were bustling back and forth, either watering animals, preparing their gear, or carrying messages. A few prayed or read Quran.

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Kufah, 60 AH

Umar ibn Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas was conflicted.

On the one hand, his uncles, cousins, and siblings all advised him to not march against Husayn ibn Ali.

“It is better you abandon the entire world and all its wealth and all the earthly authority it contains than meet Allah with Husayn’s blood on your hands,” his uncle had told him.

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“Who is this?” asked Ubaydullah, peering at the young man before him.

“He claims he’s a messenger from Husayn,” said Mundhir ibn al-Jarud. “I thought perhaps the governor was putting us to some test.”

How bold, thought Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad. Husayn was bold enough to send his messengers to Basra and try to stir up the people.

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Basrah, 58 AH

Ubaydullah ibn Ziyad stood among the spectators watching the racehorses line up. He had placed a small wager on one of them and hoped it would win.

Four years earlier, Ubaydullah had gone to Damascus, begging Muawiyyah for a government position. At first Muawiyyah hesitated, but eventually, he relented.

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Damascus, 49 AH

“Will the people accept this?” Muawiyyah asked.

“It’s not without precedence,” replied Mughirah ibn Shubah, the governor of Kufah.

Not too long ago, Muawiyyah had considered dismissing Mughirah. He was getting older, was always complaining of fatigue, and there were whispers that he wanted to resign.

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Mada’in, Capital district of the Sassanid Empire, 36 years ago.

Hujr ibn Adi sat on his horse, staring at the rushing waters of the Tigris River. All around him, his fellow soldiers were splashing into the water with their horses, intent on making it across.

Hujr hadn’t seen something like this since the days of Khalid ibn Waleed. Recent rains had swollen the river, increasing its width and making the waters wild and unpredictable. The Persians had made sure to destroy or capture every single boat and raft for miles around.

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Kufah, 5 years ago

The situation was grim, but there was still hope. No matter what Muawiyyah did, Ali would always have Iraq.

“Who can we send to Fars?” Ali asked.

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Muawiyyah had never faced an enemy like this before.

As his armies approached Kufah in Iraq, he received word a new rebellion had sprung from within the city. But these rebels were not devoted to Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muawiyyah’s former nemesis.

These were the Khawarij who opposed both Muawiyyah and Ali.

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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.

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.

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.