Islam - Empire of Faith tells the spectacular story of the great sweep of Islamic power and faith during its first 1000 years. It is the epic story of a cultural empire that dominated a millennium, encompassed half the world, and shaped history. Between the fall of Rome and the European voyages of discovery, no event was more significant than the rise of Islam. Within the span of a few centuries, the Islamic empires blossomed, projecting their power from Africa to the East Indies and from Spain to India. Inspired by the words of the Prophet Muhammad and led by Caliphs and Sultans, this political and religious expansion has not been equaled in speed, geographic size and endurance before or since.

Episode 1 - The Messenger
The Messenger introduces the dynamic story of the rise of Islam with the extraordinary life of the Prophet Muhammad and his simple but revolutionary message. This episode covers the revelation and early writing of the Koran, the creation of the first Mosque, the persecution suffered by the first Muslims and the major battles fought by Muhammad and his followers to establish the new religion. The rapid religious, cultural and political expansion of Islam overwhelms the empires of Persia and Byzantium, creating a new empire larger than Rome.

Episode 2 - The Awakening
The Awakening examines the flowering of Islam into one of the greatest civilisations in history. As culture and goods flow freely throughout a large empire, Islamic principles and influence are spread further affecting the intellectual development of the West. Arabic becomes a language of learning, and achievements in art, architecture, science, and medicine flourish. This episode also tells the story of the Crusades, and describes the recapture of Jerusalem by Saladin the Great, and the devastating invasion of Islamic lands by the mongols.

Episode 3 - The Ottomans
The Ottomans reveals the dramatic transformation of Islam resulting from the Mongol invasion. Nomads enlisted by Muslims to fight the Mongols stake their own claims, and become known as Ottomans. The Ottomans transform the Islamic world, creating a new empire that expands westward into Christian territories. Suleyman the Magnificent shapes the Ottomans into a military powerhouse and an empire of extreme wealth and sophistication, which threatens the great power-centres of Europe and the empire of the Persian Safavids before falling victim to enemies from within.