Balkh, Also Bactra, Umm al-Bilad

City

CityAlso Bactra, Umm al-Bilad

Balkhبلخ

'Mother of Cities' in Khurasan, birthplace of Rumi and home of Ibrahim ibn Adham.

One of the oldest cities of Central Asia, Balkh entered Islam in the 650s and became a great centre of learning. The prince Ibrahim ibn Adham left its throne for a life of worship, and Rumi was born here around 1207 before his family fled the Mongols, who ruined the city in 1220.

What happened here?

Who lived here?

Ibrahim ibn Adham

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People named in the Quran and the hadith, the Prophet's ﷺ family and Companions, scholars, rulers, the nations of the Quran, the world's empires and the places where it all happened. Where scholars differ, each entry says so.

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