Search
Search Results
Article
Battle of Karbala
The Battle of Karbala (10 October 680 CE) was a small-scaled military engagement, fought near the river Euphrates, in modern-day Iraq, which saw the massacre of heavily outnumbered Alid troops under the command of Husayn ibn Ali (l. 626-680...
Definition
Umayyad Dynasty
The Umayyad Dynasty (661-750 CE), the first dynasty to take the title of Caliphate, was established in 661 CE by Muawiya (l. c. 602-680 CE), who had served as the governor of Syria under the Rashidun Caliphate, after the death of the fourth...
Definition
Ibn Battuta
Ibn Battuta (l. 1304-1368/69) was a Moroccan explorer from Tangier whose expeditions took him further than any other traveler of his time and resulted in his famous work, The Rihla of Ibn Battuta. Scholar Douglas Bullis notes that “rihla”...
Image
Calligraphic Representation of Husayn's Name
An adapted version of the calligraphic pane of Husayn ibn Ali in the Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.
Definition
First Fitna
The First Fitna (656-661 CE) was the first civil war of the Islamic Empire fought between the fourth Rashidun Caliph, Ali ibn Abi Talib (656-661 CE), and the governor of Syria, Muawiya (later Muawiya I; r. 661-680 CE). Deep fissures divided...
Definition
Anahita
Anahita is the ancient Persian goddess of fertility, water, health and healing, and wisdom. Owing to her association with life-giving properties, she also came to be connected with ancient Persian warfare as soldiers would pray to her for...
Video
The Genius of their Age: Ibn Sina, Biruni, and the Lost Enlightenment
A vibrant portrait of an age when Arabic enlightenment anticipated and inspired the European Renaissance, illuminated by its guiding figures and rivals, Ibn Sina and Biruni. In The Genius of their Age, S. Frederick Starr follows up his...
Image
Arabic Inscription from Petra
Over a thousand years old, this Arabic inscription was found in Wadi Musa, just outside of Petra. This limestone block was a tombstone dedicated to the memory of an important man then, Abu al-Husayn ibn Abdullah, who died in 787 CE. The inscription...
Image
Imam Husayn Shrine, Karbala
This is a photograph of the Shrine of Imam Husayn (l. 626-680 CE) in Karbala, the same place where he met his end during the Battle of Karbala (680 CE). Today the place is visited and revered by millions of Muslims.
Definition
Roger I of Sicily
Roger I, also known as Roger Bosso (c. 1031-1101) was a Norman knight and adventurer best known for conquering The Emirate of Sicily during the 11th century. His lifelong efforts helped lay the foundations of a wealthy new Mediterranean state...