Are you still waiting for Muslims to have significant roles in some big-budgeted cinema on screen? Do you want to see Muslims as the savior of the day, with the hero and heroine that look like you? Then wait no more.
Here are some top-notch series and films made for Muslim viewers about their glorious deeds and actions that celebrates Islamic values. This list consists of movies and series in many genres, from historical, action, war, mystery, crime, and even comedy and drama. So not everything in this recommendation has ancient theme with horses and swords, there are also stories about the life of the muslims in a modern-day setting, with purpose which is not always about something big, but also everyday’s life relevant to everyone. That’s why, make sure to check all the titles, because you never know, perhaps your new favorite is waiting at the very end.
Not to mention that many of the shows and films also have been translated into some popular languages familiar with Muslims around the globe. Therefore, even if you are not a native speaker in English, the cinema still can be watched in such a comfortable atmosphere.
Also, don’t worry too much about the bills to be paid to watch these TV shows and films due to the pandemic, wars, recession, or anything else which has cut the money usually allocated to watch premium entertainment. Many of these series and movies are totally free, either provided by their producers or their partners on their websites or YouTube. So, you will only need internet quota to watch some of the best Islamic movies and TV shows out there.
Without further ado, here they are:
TV SERIES
Purposely, this TV shows list is arranged according to the timeline they are supposed to represent in the real history. That way, watching all of them in order will be like seeing the history of Islam from 1400 years ago until today.
Omar
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 30 (45 minutes per episode)
Released: 2012
Time frame: 7th century
The series starts with one of the pilgrimage of caliph Omar where he delivers speeches to the pilgrims. The next scene comes with an exploration on Mecca of the caliph where he emotionally flashbacks to his own 18 year’s life when he is a young boy working for his rude father Khattab ibn Nufayl. The flashback perspective of Omar shows all the past story of his life from when he is a wrestler, a businessman and above all one of the leaders of the Quraish, and then to his life after his conversion into Islam being one of the closest companions of Rasulullah SAW and an immensely devoted believer, a brave inspiration for all the contemporary Muslims and a bold warrior in all the contemporary Islamic battles. The story goes through the Meccan victory, the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Bakr’s legacy as caliph and his death, and finally Omar’s legacy.
Trailer:
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Bengali, Urdu/Hindi, and Indonesian.
Conquest of Andalusia
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 34 (45 minutes per episode)
Released: 2022
Time frame: 8th century
The story of the leader of the Umayyad Army, Tariq ibn Ziyad, and his great conquests in the cities of Tangier, Ceuta and Toledo, all the way to the conquest of Andalusia, and his famous dispute with his commander Musa ibn Nusair.
Trailer:
Watch it here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Bengali, Urdu and Indonesian.
Harun Al-Rashid
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 32 (45 minutes per episode)
Released: 2018
Time frame: 8 – 9th century
The series deals with the struggle Harun Al-Rashid faces when his brother Al-Hadi tries to dethrone him. After his mother helps him stay in his position, he has to deal with all the plots that are coming his way. The show also examines the civilization under Harun Al-Rashid’s rule.
Trailer:
Watch it on Alchemiya, Prime Video or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Urdu.
The Imam
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 31 (45 minutes per episode)
Released: 2017
Time frame: 8 – 9th century
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal is a jurist and the lead figure of Hanbali doctrine in Islamic jurisprudence. He is known for his strong knowledge and strong conservation, and is known for good morals such as patience, humility and tolerance. He is praised by many scholars, including Imam Shafi’i, and his book ” Musnad ” is one of the most famous and most modern books.
Ibn Hanbal is known for his role in the dispute about Quranic createdness, that takes place in the Abbasid era during the reign of the Caliph al-Ma’mun, and then al-Mu’tasim and al-Wathiq after him.
Watch it on Alchemiya or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Urdu and Indonesian
Alparslan: The Great Seljuks
Status: Completed
Season: 2
Episode: 61 (2 – 3 hours per episode)
Released: 2021 – 2023
Time frame: 11th century
Prequel of the “The Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice” series below. Better to be watched before “Malazgirt: 1071” due to several related characters.
On the day that the Seljuk Sultan Tugrul will appoint his heir, he receives the news that the Byzantines kill innocent Turks, including women and children. He orders an expedition to Anatolia. Mysterious assassins attack the Seljuk meliks (princes) who go on a campaign. The traces of the attack take Alparslan to a place he never expected. While Alparslan is after the assassins, he saves the life of a Turkmen girl named Akça, who escapes from Byzantine persecution. However, he is unaware of the secrets Akça hides behind her beauty.
Trailer:
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Italian, Bulgarian, Bosnian, Romanian, Farsi, Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
The Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 34 (2 – 3 hours per episode)
Released: 2020 – 2021
Time frame: 11th century
The show depicts the rise of the Seljuks under Sultan Malik-Shah I and his son Ahmad Sanjar. It focuses on their struggles and battles against Hassan Sabbah, leader of the Order of Assassins (dubbed the “Batinis”), the Byzantine Empire and fellow rival states that seek to weaken the Seljuks.
Trailer:
Watch it on Hilal Play or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Italian, Bulgarian, Bosnian, Farsi, Hindi, Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Indonesian and Spanish.
Gilani The Ascetic
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 10 (1 hour per episode)
Released: 2023
Time frame: 12th century
Better to be watched after completing “The Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice” due to several related characters. Meanwhile, the story is about Abdulkadir Gilani and Ashraf, who meet during their journey, and set out together for Baghdad. Abdulkadir Gilani, returning from his seclusion, sees the chaos in the city and enters the struggle for rights.
Trailer (it is in Turkish, but you can open “Captions” in the setting menu and choose “Turkish (auto-generated)” then open it again and choose “Auto-translate” to English or any other language you are familiar with):
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Arabic, Urdu and Spanish.
Mavera
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 26 (1 – 1.5 hours per episode)
Released: 2021
Time frame: 12th century
Better to be watched after completing “The Great Seljuks: Guardians of Justice” due to several related characters, the story itself is about the first Alperen (holy warrior) in history. “Mavera” is about the struggle of Ahmed Yesevi, who is sent by Yusuf Hemedani, to Baghdad, which is almost a small world at the time. On the one hand, the persecution of those who want to send him out of Baghdad; on the other side is the people that Ahmed wants to protect with his “Alpine” (warrior) wrist and embrace with the heart of “Eren” (holiness)…
Trailer:
Watch it on Hilal Play or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Bosnian, Farsi, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Indonesian and Russian.
The Journey of the Birds
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 30 (30 minutes per episode)
Released: 2020
Time frame: 12th century
This series is inspired by the book Mantiq al-tayr of Farid Ud-Din Attar and has thirty episodes. Mantiq al-tayr starts with the basics of Islam and also the Prophet.
The topic of this work: hoopoe, pigeon, hawk, partridge, parrot, nightingale, turtle, peacock, and dove begin talking to each other. These species talk related to the fact that every nation has a ruler (king) and discuss about having a king in their birds. Hoopoe starts to talk and says that the ruler of birds is Simurgh. But Simurgh is very far. All the birds talk to Hoopoe and ready to go to the way under his leadership.
The road is too long and very tough. Other birds begin losing hope one by one, but the ruler encourages them. Hoopoe says to them that they need to reach Simurgh to go through seven more valleys. These valleys consist; quest, knowledge, love, detachment, wonderment, unity, and power. The book of Farid Ud-Din Attar is full of messages and symbols with many advices.
Trailer (it is in Turkish, but you can open “Captions” in the setting menu and choose “Turkish (auto-generated)” then open it again and choose “Auto-translate” to English or any other language you are familiar with):
Watch it here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Bosnian, Urdu and Spanish.
Saladin: The Conqueror of Jerusalem
Status: On-going
Season: 1 – when this post is updated
Episode: 19 (2 – 3 hours per episode) – when this post is updated
Released: 2023 – now
Time frame: 12th century
The television series focuses on the life of 12th century Muslim ruler, Saladin, and how he conquered Jerusalem. Furthermore, it focuses on his struggles and battles against the Crusaders and his goal to unite the Muslim territories of Syria, northern Mesopotamia, Palestine and Egypt under his rule.
Trailer:
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Arabic, Spanish, Urdu, Indonesian and Russian.
I am Celaluddin
Status: Completed
Season: 2 in in Uzbek version and 1 in Turkish version – when this post is updated
Episode: 30 in Uzbek version (1 – 1.5 hours per episode) and 7 in Turkish version (2 – 3 hours per episode) – when this post is updated
Released: 2021 (season one) and 2023 (season two)
Time frame: 13th century
The television series focuses on the life of Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, son of Ala ad-Din Muhammad of the Khwarazmian Empire, and how he faces Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire along with the troubles in his own state including the fight for the throne between his father and grandmother Terken Khatun.
Trailer:
Watch it here for season one (available in English and Urdu subtitles) and here for season two.
In addition of the translations above, this series has been dubbed too in Uzbek, also available in Bosnian, Romanian, Farsi, Arabic, Bengali, Indonesian and Russian. For season two, this series is also available in Urdu.
Resurrection Ertugrul
Status: Completed
Season: 5
Episode: 150 (2 – 3 hours per episode)
Released: 2014 – 2019
Time frame: 13th century
As the holy acrimonious crusades sweep through their territory, nomad Turkish tribes fight their way into a new promised land. A young but brave warrior, Ertugrul Ghazi, the son of Suleiman Shah, after the death of his father has to take charge of the situation in his tribe. From crusaders to Byzantine, Ertugrul together with his companions strive through the bad doers. A huge problem shows up in the horizon. The malicious Mongols with the maverick Noyan in charge threaten their camp.
Trailer:
Watch it on Tabii, Hilal Play, or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Tamil, Bosnian, Farsi, Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Indonesian, Russian, and Spanish.
Rumi
Status: Completed
Season: 2
Episode: 20 (1 hour per episode)
Released: 2023 – 2024
Time frame: 13th century
Better to be watched after completing “Resurrection Ertugrul” due to several related characters. It’s about the main journey of Sufi Rumi, who left his native land due to the Mongol invasion and went to the West. It will be his desire to learn his true purpose in life and his philosophy of self-understanding.
Trailer:
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Arabic, Urdu, Russian and Spanish.
Yunus Emre
Status: Completed
Season: 2
Episode: 45 (1 – 1.5 hours per episode)
Released: 2015 – 2016
Time frame: 13 – 14th century
Better to be watched before “The Ottoman” season five due to several related characters. In 13th century of Anatolia, as Mongol invasions are getting more frequent, Yunus Emre travels to Nallihan where he establishes himself as Seljuk official. After joining Taptuk Emre’s dergâh (dervish monastery), he proceeds to follow his journey on becoming a dervish.
Trailer:
Watch it here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, and Russian.
The Ottoman
Status: On-going
Season: 5 – when this post is updated
Episode: 155 (2 – 3 hours per episode) – when this post is updated
Released: 2019 – present
Time frame: 13 – 14th century
Sequel of the “Resurrection Ertugrul”, the TV show is about the internal and external struggles of Ertugrul’s son, Osman, to establish and control his tribe, and later, the Ottoman Empire. It portrays his efforts against various enemies including Byzantium, Mongol Ilkhanate, and even Viking, and how he is able to secure independence from the Sultanate of Rum to establish a sovereign state that will stand up to the world and honour the Turks.
The character of Osman faces many enemies and traitors in his quest and the show illustrates how he can overcome these obstacles and fulfil his missions with the help of his loyal companions, family, and friends.
Watch it on Hilal Play or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Italian, Bulgarian, Bosnian, Romanian, Farsi, Hindi, Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Haci Bayram Veli
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 26 (1 – 1.5 hours per episode)
Released: 2022
Time frame: 14 – 15th century
“The Journey of Love: Hacı Bayram Veli” is screened, which will embody the motto of “I knew, I found, I became” and will bring his mystic world to the screens of Hacı Bayram Veli, who has a great contribution in the sprouting of Islam in Anatolia.
Trailer:
Watch it here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Bengali, Urdu, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Sultan Mehmet The Conqueror
Status: On-going
Season: 1 – when this post is updated
Episode: 6 (2 – 3 hours per episode) – when this post is updated
Released: 2024
Time frame: 15th century
Stepping back into the vibrant tapestry of Ottoman history, the series captivates viewers with a meticulous portrayal of one of history’s most formidable figures, Mehmed II, known to many as Mehmed the Conqueror. Throughout this epic historical drama, audiences are transported to a time where empires clashed and history was written.
Trailer (it is in Turkish, but you can open “Captions” in the setting menu and choose “Turkish (auto-generated)” then open it again and choose “Auto-translate” to English or any other language you are familiar with):
Watch it here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Spanish.
Kazakh Khanate: The Diamond Sword (The Series)
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 10 (40 minutes per episode)
Released: 2017
Time frame: 15th century
The story of the nomadic tribes in 15th century on the territory of today’s Kazakhstan, after the Golden Order has fallen and Mongol Empire is divided into numerous Khanates.
Trailer:
Watch it here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Hindi.
Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 32 (2 – 3 hours per episode)
Released: 2021 – 2022
Time frame: 16th century
“Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean” will take viewers on a historic journey across the Ottoman Empire based on the life of 16th-century Ottoman admiral “Barbaros” Hayreddin Pasha and the adventures of four brothers who become seafarers. The drama series retells this adventure through the stories of four brothers; Ishak, Oruc, Hizir, and Ilyas, fighting high tides and the secrets of the seas. It focuses on their pursuit of a holy secret with the help of Master Suleyman, and during the course of their journey, they make enemies in, Pietro; the Pope’s hand reaching out to the Mediterranean who is also pursuing the secret and organizes an attack against their ship. But this doesn’t stop the brothers and they continue their original quest to find the holy secret all the while fighting their enemies at high tides.
Trailer:
Watch it on Tabii, Hilal Play or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Italian, Bosnian, Romanian, Farsi, Arabic, Bengali, Urdu, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Barbaros Hayreddin: The Sultan’s Order
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 20 (2 – 3 hours per episode)
Released: 2022 – 2023
Time frame: 16th century
Sequel of the “Barbaros: Sword of the Mediterranean”. The series has a story set in the reign of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent, and it is strongly showcase the success story of the captain of the sea, later turns into the greatest admiral of the Ottoman Empire, Barbaros Hayreddin Pasha.
Trailer:
Watch it on Hilal Play or here.
In addition of the English translation above, this series is also available in Bosnian, Romanian, Farsi, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese.
Aziz Mahmud Hudayi
Status: Completed
Season: 1
Episode: 20 (1 hour per episode)
Released: 2024
Time frame: 16 – 17th century
Mahmud is a sharp sword; one edge bears justice, the other, mercy. A tale of a servant who walked in the footsteps of kings.
Trailer (it is in Turkish, but you can open “Captions” in the setting menu and choose “Turkish (auto-generated)” then open it again and choose “Auto-translate” to English or any other language you are familiar with):
My Dreamy Journal 