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If you are looking for films and tv series about islam, the stories and productions gathered here offer a starting point for exploring how cinema and television have approached this subject.
Islam is one of the most widely followed religions in the world, yet for many people its history and traditions remain something they know only a little about. Some have heard about it before, some are simply curious, and others may already belong to this faith and want to see how its stories have been portrayed on screen.
Over the years, filmmakers from different countries have created films and television series that explore moments, figures, and narratives connected to Islam. Some focus on historical events, others tell the stories of important personalities, and some approach the subject through spiritual or cultural themes.
In this list, I have gathered a selection of films and television series that touch on different aspects of Islam and its historical background. Whether you are discovering these stories for the first time or revisiting them from a new perspective, these productions offer a way to explore how cinema and television have portrayed stories connected to Islam.
A Selection of Films and TV Series About Islam
The Message
Format: Film
Year: 1976
(The Message (1976), directed by Moustapha Akkad, remains one of the most widely recognized films portraying the early history of Islam. Restored 4K versions released decades later have introduced the film to new audiences while preserving the original narrative and structure.)
Directed by Syrian-American filmmaker Mustapha Akkad, The Message is widely regarded as one of the most influential cinematic portrayals of the early history of Islam. Instead of depicting the Prophet Muhammad directly, the film tells the story through the experiences of the first Muslim community in Mecca, a narrative approach that respects religious sensitivities while still presenting the historical context of the period. The film focuses on the emergence of Islam in seventh-century Arabia and the challenges faced by the early believers as they encounter opposition from powerful tribal leaders. Through carefully constructed scenes and large-scale production design, the story highlights themes of perseverance, faith, and social transformation. Over the decades, The Message has become one of the most widely referenced films about Islamic history and is often considered a foundational entry point for viewers interested in cinematic interpretations of the early Muslim world and its historical struggles.
Yunus Emre: Aşkın Sesi
Format: Film
Year: 2014
Yunus Emre: Aşkın Sesi is a Turkish historical drama centered on the life of Yunus Emre, one of the most influential figures of Anatolian Sufism and a poet whose works continue to shape spiritual literature in the Turkish language. The film situates its story in thirteenth-century Anatolia, a period marked by political uncertainty and cultural transformation following the Mongol invasions and the decline of established regional powers. Within this setting, Yunus Emre’s personal search for spiritual meaning becomes the central focus of the narrative. The story portrays his relationship with the Sufi teacher Tapduk Emre and the gradual development of his philosophical outlook centered on humility, love, and devotion. The production is notable for bringing a major figure of Islamic mysticism to the screen through a character-driven historical narrative. Cinematically, the film relies on contemplative pacing, atmospheric landscapes, and reflective dialogue to capture the spiritual themes associated with Yunus Emre’s life and poetry.
Muhammad: The Messenger of God
Turkish title: Hz.Muhammed Allah’ın Elçisi
Format: Film
Year: 2015
Directed by Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, Muhammad: The Messenger of God focuses on the childhood of the Prophet Muhammad and the social conditions of sixth-century Arabia before the rise of Islam. The film situates its narrative in a historical period characterized by tribal divisions, trade networks, and shifting cultural traditions across the Arabian Peninsula. Instead of depicting later events of Islamic history, the story concentrates on the early life of the Prophet, portraying the environment in which he was raised and the moral qualities attributed to him during his youth. The production became one of the largest historical film projects ever produced in Iran, drawing attention for its scale and detailed recreation of early Arabian settings. Cinematically, the film emphasizes visual storytelling through elaborate sets, atmospheric lighting, and carefully choreographed scenes. By focusing on childhood and formative experiences, the narrative adopts a reflective tone that attempts to present historical context while maintaining sensitivity toward religious representation on screen.
Somuncu Baba: Aşkın Sırrı
Format: Film
Year: 2016
Somuncu Baba: Aşkın Sırrı is a historical drama centered on the life of Sheikh Hamid-i Veli, widely known as Somuncu Baba, an important figure in Anatolian Sufi tradition. The narrative is set in the late fourteenth and early fifteenth centuries, a period when the Ottoman world was undergoing cultural transformation and the influence of Sufi scholars and spiritual teachers was expanding throughout Anatolia. The film follows Somuncu Baba’s journey as a spiritual guide whose teachings emphasize humility, devotion, and service to society. By focusing on the relationship between teacher and disciples, the story illustrates the development of spiritual communities that played a role in shaping Islamic thought in the region. The production gained attention for bringing a lesser-known historical figure of Islamic mysticism to cinema audiences. From a filmmaking perspective, the film adopts a reflective tone, using natural landscapes, calm pacing, and dialogue-driven scenes to convey themes associated with spiritual growth and guidance.
Özgürlüğün Sesi: Bilal-i Habeşi
Format: Film
Year: 2017
Özgürlüğün Sesi: Bilal-i Habeşi is an animated historical drama that presents the story of Bilal ibn Rabah, one of the most recognized figures in early Islamic history and the first muezzin of Islam. The narrative takes place in the seventh century on the Arabian Peninsula, a period marked by deep social divisions and the gradual emergence of a new religious community. The film follows Bilal’s journey from life as an enslaved man in Mecca to becoming a devoted member of the early Muslim community.
By focusing on themes of perseverance, dignity, and spiritual commitment, the story illustrates the challenges faced by individuals during a time of social transformation. Through Bilal’s experiences, the narrative highlights the role of faith and moral resilience in shaping personal identity and community life. Produced as a 3D animated feature and presented to Turkish audiences with a localized voice cast, the film uses character-driven storytelling and stylized visuals to convey a historical narrative within a cinematic format.
Imam Ghazali: Hujjat al-Islam
Type: Film
Year: 2019
This historical biographical film explores the life and intellectual journey of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, one of the most influential scholars in the history of Islamic thought. Known as “Hujjat al-Islam,” meaning “The Proof of Islam,” al-Ghazali played a crucial role in shaping theological and philosophical discussions in the Muslim world. The film introduces viewers to a figure whose writings and teachings have influenced generations of scholars and students across different regions and centuries.
Set during the 11th and early 12th centuries, the story follows al-Ghazali’s path from his early studies to his rise as a respected teacher and thinker. It touches on the intellectual environment of the time, when debates about philosophy, theology, and spirituality were shaping the direction of Islamic scholarship.
What makes this story significant is the enduring impact of al-Ghazali’s work, especially his efforts to reconcile faith, reason, and spirituality. The film approaches his life through a reflective narrative style, focusing on the ideas, struggles, and spiritual transformation that defined his legacy.
Mevlana Mest-i Aşk
Format: Film
Year: 2023
Mevlana Mest-i Aşk is a historical drama film centered on the spiritual transformation of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, a thirteenth-century scholar and poet whose influence later extended across many regions through his writings and teachings. The narrative is set in Konya during the Seljuk period, when the city functioned as an important center of learning, trade, and intellectual exchange in Anatolia. The story focuses on the encounter between Rumi and Shams of Tabriz, a traveling mystic whose presence becomes a defining moment in Rumi’s personal and intellectual development.
Through this relationship, the film explores themes related to spiritual guidance, poetry, and philosophical reflection within the broader historical environment of medieval Anatolia. By presenting the interaction between teacher, disciples, and the surrounding community, the narrative illustrates the emergence of ideas that would later be associated with the Mevlevi tradition. The production attracted attention for its international cast and its attempt to portray the historical atmosphere of Konya through dialogue-driven storytelling and period-inspired settings.
Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi
Format: TV Series
Year: 2023
Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi is a historical drama series centered on the life of the thirteenth-century scholar and mystic Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, one of the most influential spiritual figures associated with the city of Konya in Anatolia. The narrative unfolds during the Seljuk period, a time when Anatolia functioned as a crossroads of cultures, scholarship, and religious thought. The series portrays Rumi not only as a respected religious teacher but also as a thinker whose writings and ideas would later shape spiritual and philosophical traditions across different regions.
The storyline follows key stages of his life, including his role as a scholar, the transformation of his spiritual perspective, and his encounter with Shams of Tabriz, a wandering mystic whose presence becomes a defining moment in Rumi’s intellectual and emotional journey. By focusing on dialogue, mentorship, and inner reflection, the series presents a dramatized exploration of spirituality, poetry, and philosophical inquiry within the historical environment of medieval Anatolia.
Hay Sultan
Format: TV Series
Year: 2023
Hay Sultan is a historical drama series centered on the life of Abdulqadir Gilani, a prominent Islamic scholar and spiritual teacher whose influence spread widely across the medieval Islamic world. The narrative takes place during the twelfth century, a period marked by political change and intellectual activity in the regions of Baghdad and surrounding territories. The series follows the early life, education, and spiritual development of Gilani as he pursues knowledge and gradually becomes recognized as a respected religious figure.
By focusing on the relationship between scholarship, faith, and daily life, the story portrays the formation of spiritual communities and the role of teachers within them. Historical settings, traditional costumes, and dialogue-driven scenes aim to recreate the atmosphere of medieval urban centers where religious learning and public life intersected. From a storytelling perspective, the series adopts a calm and reflective tone, emphasizing themes of mentorship, devotion, ethical guidance, and the search for knowledge within a historical context.
Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi: Aşkın Yolculuğu
Format: TV Series
Year: 2024
Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi: Aşkın Yolculuğu is a historical drama series centered on the life of Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi, an influential Ottoman scholar and spiritual guide whose teachings played a significant role in the religious and intellectual life of early modern Istanbul. The narrative unfolds during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, a period when the Ottoman Empire was experiencing both political expansion and vibrant scholarly activity. The series follows Hüdayi’s journey from a respected jurist and scholar toward a path of spiritual devotion, exploring the transformation that leads him to become a prominent Sufi teacher.
By portraying the social and intellectual environment of the Ottoman capital, the story illustrates how scholars and spiritual mentors shaped community life and ethical thought during the era. Historical settings, traditional costumes, and dialogue-driven scenes recreate the atmosphere of Ottoman Istanbul. Through a reflective narrative tone, the production emphasizes themes of mentorship, faith, humility, and the search for meaning within a historical context.
Hira’dan Veda’ya: Medine Dönemi
Format: Film
Year: 2024
Hira’dan Veda’ya: Medine Dönemi is a historical drama film that focuses on the later years of the life of Prophet Muhammad and the formative period of the early Muslim community in Medina. The narrative is set during the seventh century, beginning after the migration from Mecca to Medina and continuing through the years in which the foundations of a new social and religious order were established. The film follows key developments of this period, including the organization of the first Muslim community, the challenges faced in a changing political landscape, and the ethical principles that shaped daily life and governance in Medina.
By concentrating on the historical context of the Medinan era, the production highlights themes such as community building, leadership, faith, and social responsibility. The film gained attention for being promoted as one of the first Turkish productions created with extensive use of artificial intelligence in visual storytelling. Through a reflective narrative structure, the project attempts to present a cinematic interpretation of a significant chapter in early Islamic history.
Vefa Sultan
Format: TV Series
Year: 2025
Vefa Sultan is a historical drama series centered on the life of Sheikh Muslihuddin Mustafa, widely known as Vefa Sultan, an influential scholar and spiritual figure associated with fifteenth-century Istanbul. The narrative unfolds during the early Ottoman period following the conquest of Constantinople, a time when the city was undergoing social, cultural, and intellectual transformation. The series follows Vefa Sultan’s life as a religious scholar, teacher, and spiritual guide whose influence extended across scholarly circles and urban communities.
By focusing on the relationship between knowledge, faith, and public life, the story illustrates how scholars and spiritual mentors contributed to the formation of educational and religious institutions in the newly expanding Ottoman capital. Historical architecture, traditional costumes, and dialogue-driven scenes are used to recreate the atmosphere of early Ottoman Istanbul. From a storytelling perspective, the series adopts a reflective tone, emphasizing themes related to mentorship, ethical guidance, and the role of scholars within a developing urban society.
One Final Thought
Our list comes to an end here. Before you leave, I would like to share one simple thought: the religion we belong to matters less than the fact that we are human. No matter what religion we follow or what we believe, we are still human, and many of our values and experiences are shared across different faiths.
If any of the productions in this list caught your attention, I sincerely encourage you to give them a chance and experience their stories for yourself.
You may want to take a look at the site’s Movies page.
You can also discover additional productions through the TV Series page.
I hope you enjoy the journey. Good watching.
