Category
History & Civilisation
Caliphates, travellers and the long story of the Muslim world.
The Hijra: The Migration That Began a Calendar
The Hijra was the historic 622 CE migration of Prophet Muhammad and early Muslims from Mecca to Medina, laying the foundation for the first Muslim community and establishing Year One of the Islamic calendar.
4 min read
The Battle of Karbala
In October 680 CE (61 AH), the Battle of Karbala took place in present-day Iraq, resulting in the tragic death of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. This landmark event remains a deeply influential moment of historical remembrance, spiritual reflection, and moral courage across the Muslim world.
4 min read
The Conquest of Constantinople
In 1453 CE, the 21-year-old Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II captured Constantinople, ending the 1,100-year-old Byzantine Empire and ushering in a major new era of Ottoman governance. This historic conquest reshaped global trade routes, accelerated the European Renaissance, and established a framework for pluralistic administration in Istanbul.
5 min read
Ibn Khaldun and the Birth of Sociology
An exploration of Ibn Khaldun (1332–1406 CE), the pioneering Arab historian and statesman whose masterwork, the Muqaddimah, laid the foundations for modern sociology, historiography, and economics.
4 min read
The Fall of Granada
On January 2, 1492 CE, the surrender of the Nasrid Emirate of Granada marked the conclusion of nearly eight centuries of Muslim presence in Al-Andalus. This article examines the legacy of Islamic Spain, the internal and external pressures leading to Granada's capitulation, and the far-reaching aftermath for Muslims and Jews in the Iberian Peninsula.
4 min read
The Abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate
On March 3, 1924, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey officially abolished the centuries-old Ottoman Caliphate. This milestone event reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Muslim world and marked a decisive shift toward modern nation-states and secular governance.
5 min read
The Battle of Badr
Fought in 624 CE in the deserts of western Arabia, the Battle of Badr was a pivotal confrontation where an outnumbered early Muslim community secured a decisive victory. This milestone event guaranteed the young community's survival and became an enduring symbol of faith and resilience in Islamic memory.
5 min read
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
Signed in 628 CE (6 AH), the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was a ten-year peace agreement between the Prophet Muhammad and the Meccan Quraish. Though initially controversial among Muslims for its apparent concessions, the treaty proved to be a masterstroke of diplomacy that enabled the peaceful growth of Islam and paved the way for the Conquest of Mecca.
5 min read
The Conquest of Mecca
In 630 CE (8 AH), the Prophet Muhammad returned to Mecca with ten thousand followers after a breach of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Rather than seeking vengeance, he declared a general amnesty, cleansed the Kaaba of idols, and peacefully rededicated the city to the worship of God.
4 min read