The Holy month of Ramadan is a time for reflection, prayer, and introspection. It’s also a time for spending time with loved ones, sharing meals, and taking in some halal entertainment!
If you’re looking for must-watch content during this blessed month, look no further than Alchemiya for all your Muslim entertainment and video on demand needs. .
Here are our top ten picks:
The Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal
Great Scholars of the Abbasid Age
Next, we have Great Scholars of the Abbasid Age, another Arabic series in Fus’ha Arabic with English subtitles. This series delves into the lives of some of the most famous judges and scholars of the Abbasid era and their contributions to Islamic law. This two season (60 episodes) drama series manages to raise contemporary issues using historical situations and thus giving the series a very contemporary relevance.
You can find our review of this excellent series on the Alchemiya journal.
If you are learning classical, Quranic Arabic, you can use both these drama series to give you listening practice to help you with your learning objectives.
For those looking for a Turkish touch, we some Turkish movies for you…
Yunus Emre: The Voice of Love
Yunus Emre: The Voice of Love is a must-watch. This biopic tells the story of Yunus Emre, fleeing from the Mongolian invasion, the highly devoted Anatolian scholar during the 13th Century embarks on a solo journey to find God in an allegory of the long lost love. This Sufi poet and mystic and his work are still revered today.
Somoncu Baba
From the same director we have Somoncu Baba that’s sure to captivate audiences. This film explores the life and teachings of Sheikh Hamid-i Vali, a beloved scholar of the grand mosque in Bursa, Turkiye and Sufi master whose legacy lives on to this day.
Read the review of Somoncu Baba.
Both these films have breathtaking visuals and beautiful locations, with sweeping landscapes.
The Last Seljuk Hero (Direniş Karatay)
If you’re looking for a historical epic, The Last Seljuk Hero is a great choice. This Turkish movie tells the story of Celaleddin Karatay, one of the greatest warriors of the Seljuk Empire, and his battle against the invading Mongol hoardes.
Read our review of The Last Seljuk Hero on the Alchemiya Journal.
Free Man (Hur Adam)
For something a little different, check out Free Man [Hur Adam]. This movie tells the story of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi, a famous Turkish scholar who spent much of his life in political and religious exile after the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and despite the hardships he faced, he remained committed to promoting peace and tolerance.
You can read the review of Free Man (Hur Adam) here.
Suveydâ (Black Mark)
Another fascinating film is Suveydâ. Set in 1950s post-Ottoman Turkey, the calling of the Adhan in Arabic was outlawed by the secular government. This film tells the story of Eregiz, a small village in Turkey where the call to prayer in Arabic was banned and despite this, the villagers found ways to continue their traditions and preserve their culture. “Suveydâ” means “a black mark” and this period is considered a black mark in Turkiye’s history.
Jalal ad-Din
If you love Rumi then the drama series Jalal ad-Din is a must-watch for you. This series tells the story of a very young Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, one of the greatest poets and mystics in Islamic history. The 11 part drama series focuses on the childhood of Rumi. You can also read our review of the Jalal ad-Din Rumi series here.
Harun al-Rashid
Another Arabic drama series, we have Harun al-Rashid, an epic 32 part drama series that explores the life of one of the most famous caliphs in Islamic history. This series brings to life the opulence and intrigue of the Abbasid court, making for a thrilling watch. See our review of Harun al-Rashid.
Bilal: A New Breed of Hero (animated movie)
Last but not least, we have Bilal: A New Breed of Hero, an extraordinary animated movie that tells the story of Bilal ibn Rabah, one of the most celebrated companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This film is a great choice for families and children, and it’s sure to entertain and inspire the whole family.
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