The 1001 Arabian Knights

"Gnosis" is a Greek word which means "knowledge" or "awareness" and it is precisely with this in mind that Gnosticism is born. Gnosticism can be best described as a mode of being that is optimal to for attaining the "Ultimate Knowledge". It is a state of mind and a mode of being that brings you closer to the Divine. Far from the dogmatic approach of institutionalized religions, Gnosticism seeks to focus on the spiritual aspects of religion. This spiritual approach to religion, especially with Christianity is exactly what many "Prophets" tried to introduce into a world that they saw as spiritually void, where the masses dare not to philosophize on their existence and only accept traditions and dogmatic practices for salvation. Emphasizing on the spiritual aspect, Gnostics seek to lead people to  spiritual enlightenment. However, preaching enlightenment often means preaching against the orthodoxy, which only resulted in strife and divisions. Although, Gnostics form a minority of worshippers, their impact can be heavily found in many religions. Learn more about Gnosticism and how it impacted the major Abrahamic religions of its time and more on this latest episode of The 1001 Arabian Knights.

As turmoil, chaos, rampant corruption, crippling poverty and political rivalries ravaged the Roman Empire, a man rose from among the people and preached a message of hope, piety, individual sovereignty and justice for the poor, destitute people of Judea. This man, a beacon of light in a sea of darkness was the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth (Peace be Upon Him). However, was he simply human or was he more? Was he Son of Man? Son of God? Or perhaps God in flesh? It was this question above so many others which his followers had following his death and resurrection. A debate, which would cause major rifts in the Christian community, and whose effects can still be felt today. Find out about message of Jesus and how a debate concerning his divinity brought mighty empires to their knees. How the words of a poor Jew reformed Rome into become the the  foundation of Western society. 

Born of smokeless fires and scorching winds. They are the shadows on the walls, the creatures of the night, the others. Imagine a world, where sandstorms are mighty creatures settling their scores. Imagine a world where these creatures are soul mates and blood brothers, who imitate your every move and your every speech. They follow you around, live with you and eat with you - they can even enter your body and drive you mad. This is how the ancient Arabs viewed their world and the Djinn which inhabited it. Like us, good and evil live within them, but their terrible power and mysterious ways make them a source of fear and awe. In this world divination and sorcery abound. The sacred and the profane were known to all and the Gods were as numerous as the stars. Join us as we discuss the indigenous religion of the Arabs, their Gods, and the Djinn. 

Poetry, Generosity and Knighthood (Furusiyah). These are the big 3 when it comes to the culture of the ancient Arabs. As romantic as it is brutal one can not deny the importance that this culture has on Islam and on the world. It exported the concept of the romantic knight in armor to Europe and the mystical creatures of Djinn to Persia. Honor is the central theme of this culture. Clans wage war to restore their honor and kings sacrifice themselves to protect their honor. These are the ancient Arabs, the world's most honorable people. Come and join us on this episode as we narrate to you some of the most wonderful stories that have marked ancient Arab culture. 

In this first installment of our second season, we dive into the pre-Islamic era. Also known as the Jahiliyah period, the Age of Ignorance. This period is the ~400 years before Islam. It is commonly known that this era in Arab history was a period of barbaric practices, shameless display of nudity and low moral standards. But how true was this? Was the Jahiliyah period really an epoch of barbarity and savagery or was the Jahiliyah the era of eloquence, and as Ibn Qutaybah puts it: the defining age of "the world's bravest nation". How was the pre-Islamic era perceived and how did that perception change throughout time? All of this and more on our first episode of our season on Jahiliyah. 

Who are the 'Ad? Who are Thamud? Some swear they were giants who defied God because of their arrogance. The superstitious swear they are Djinn. Certain legends even describe them as one-armed, one-legged creatures from space. Others claim they never existed. Poets recall them fondly saying "if I had been the race of Ad and Iram". Cities of pillars never seen before in the land, homes carved into gigantic stones. These are Ad and Thamud. Ancient Arab civilizations that have equally captured the minds of the superstitious and the rational. 

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban return to the land of Yemen, a land gripped by war between two powers who - by exploiting religious animosity - vie for control over the Middle East. This is not contemporary Yemen but the long ago story of Dhu Nuwas, the Jewish King of Himyar, and the tragedy of the Christians of Najran. This event has been portrayed in polemical fashion throughout the centuries. However, our hosts attempt to bring context and nuance to this often simplified chapter of the history of the Arabs. This was the story of patriots, conquerors, and martyrs. This was a time when Yemen lay at the center of a power struggle between Ethiopia, Iran and Rome. A time when Christianity, Judaism, and pagan belief fought for the soul of Arabia. Please join join us as we explore the explore the world of Yemen in the 6th century in this episode of The 1001 Arabian Knights!

In this episode Houston and Oban will take you on a voyage to discover the Syrian Queen of Arab origin: Zenobia of Palmyra. Known for her beauty, intelligence and her strong character, the Queen of Palmyra was hailed as a descendant of Cleopatra and a savior of her people. She led her armies in many campaigns to expand the territory of her empire, to defying both the Emperors of Rome and the Shahs of Iran. She is known in Syria as a symbol of rebellion and resistance against Imperialist forces. Her legacy looms large as does the presence of her great oasis city of the Silk Road, Palmyra, who's ruins still stand as a testament to a glorious past. Her story has shaped Syrian national identity till this very day, a true hero to her people. How did she defy Rome? What were her mysterious origins? Why did her empire fall as quickly as it rose? All these questions and more are explored in this episode of The 1001 Arabian Knights!

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban examine the lost civilization of the Nabataeans. The people famed for their desert capital Petra, and in this discussion our hosts examine the city itself and the civilization that made it possible. Who were the Gods of the Nabataeans, what mysterious cults ruled this ancient land? How did they organize society, was this as the ancient writers say, a kingdom of equals? How did the Nabataeans build "the Dubai of the Classical World" from an inhospitable desert, and what did they leave behind after their fall? All these questions and more are explored in this episode of The 1001 Arabian Knights!

In this episode our hosts Houston and Oban examine the lost civilization of the Nabataeans. The people famed for their desert capital Petra. Where did the Nabataean Arabs come from? How did they interact with their Jewish neighbours? How do the Nabataeans tie in with the story of the Nativity, the birth of Jesus of Nazareth? All these questions and more are explored in this episode of The 1001 Arabian Knights!