How Egyptians (and Most of Africa) Became Muslim in Just One Generation | Ramadan Series 2026

In Episode 3 of his Ramadan Series, Shaykh Yasir Qadhi explores the massive expansion into the Maghrib. There was the crucial tipping point: Egypt. In the middle of the 7th century, a resolute force led by the brilliant strategist ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās crossed the Sinai and stood at the edge of a new world. Ahead of them lay a land of mythical history, the cradle of kingdoms, and towering pyramids—all under the iron grip of the Byzantine Empire. What began with a handful of riders wouldn't just break the Roman hold on the region; it would shift the religious and cultural identity of an entire continent. In this video, we dive into the grueling siege of Fustat, where ‘Amr laid the foundations for what is now modern-day Cairo, and trace the subsequent advance on Alexandria. We explore how the Muslims delivered a crushing defeat to the Roman army and found unexpected support from local Coptic Christians who actually repaired roads to aid their march. Along the way, we also bust the long-standing historical myth about the burning of the great Alexandrian library. Most importantly, we look at the domino effect: how unlocking Egypt provided the secure base needed for ‘Amr’s nephew, Uqba ibn Nafi’, to push the Islamic frontiers all the way across North Africa to the shores of the Atlantic. How did a community barely a generation removed from jahiliyyah achieve the unthinkable against vastly superior empires? The secret wasn't in their numbers, but in their unwavering conviction. Watch the full breakdown to uncover how the foundations laid in Egypt changed the map of the world forever. Map data from OpenStreetMap All maps created openstreetmap.org/copyright 🎶 Track: Soil – Halal Beats 📌 License ID: P588-1044 | #halalsoundtracks 🔗 License tracks now: https://halalsoundtracks.com 🎶 Track: Travelling – Halal Beats 📌 License ID: P589-1044 | #halalsoundtracks 🔗 License tracks now: https://halalsoundtracks.com