Allah's Alphabet - A Hurufi Heretical Mega-Campaign AAR

[HFresch]

Author's Preliminary Notes:

I've lurked around these forums for a while now, and there are plenty of AARs that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Thus, I have lately wanted to make my own, and ambitious as I am, I must obviously try to make it a mega-campaign. The timing should be decent, considering the new EU4-expansion is coming soon. Wish me luck!

I wanted to try something different, something I haven't seen on here, so I went for a campaign centered around an islamic heresy. It might be really hard, but hopefully it will make for some fun narrative. Also, I will try to roleplay as much as possible, steering away from optimal play, as I don't want a too big empire by the time I convert to EU4.
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Table of contents:

0 - The Birth of Hurufism
I - Doing Allah's Work​

* * *

0 - The Birth of Hurufism

Our story begins with Zand Astarabadi, Sheikh of Shirvan in year 769 AD. Through his upbringing, Zand was was part of a Muslim minority in the Zoroastrian county of Shirvan. Ruled by the Miaphyste Emir of Derbent, whose liege was the Uqaylid Sultan, the region was a complete religious mess at the time. In this multireligious society, the pious Zand wrote down and founded Hurufism, a branch of Islam that would soon be considered heresy. However, Zand Astarabadi managed to claim the Sheikdom of Shirvan, and from there he worked to realize his ambitions for the Hurufi faith.

Zand Astarabadi was a pious and zealous man, putting his faith at the forefront of his person. However, he was not a man fit for war. Himself bodily frail and his person craven and afraid, he could not lead anyone in battle, much less an army - or a jihad. No, he sat in his tower, praying and thinking, developing his close relation to Allah. Little did he know, that this would not create the foothold he needed to imprint Hurufism as a major faith in the history of man. Still, he dreamed of a grand future for his Quran, ambitions defining him.

 

[I had a bad name 51]

subbed

 

[Nuada Airgetlám]

Curious!

 

[Rufy_King]

Subbed

 

[Idhrendur]

Interesting, I'll be reading.

 

[HFresch]

I - Doing Allah's Work

After marrying his wives and appointing his councilmen, Zand Astarabadi would not rest. In such a position of power, he felt a strong need to show The Greatest the strength of his faith. With little further ado, the Sheikh declared that he would go on Hajj to Mecca. At once, his servants started packing his things of need, and the stableboy started fitting his horse. Further into the preparations, some of his loyal servants and councillors came to have a word. The one who spoke up was a dear friend of Zand, the court imam Salman. Apparently, none of them had ever been to the Holy City before, and they were eager to praise Allah. The travelling group were already using almost all of the horses, and so only one of them could come, and of course that would be Salman. The court imam was beyond grateful, and went to pack his finest carpet for the prayers to come.

After stopping for camp one evening, an old stranger approached the Sheikh. The guards were quick onto their feet, but the old man's earnest look let Zand relax, calling the guards off. In exchange for a meal, the man told his words of wisdom to the group. And thus, the Sheikh became wiser.

In Mecca, the Sheikh conducted himself in an intensely pious, but humble manner. He made sure all the traditions and rituals were done correctly, but kept his voice down and his head low. In such a way he wanted to show Allah how the Hurufi ways were zealous and true, but not domineering. Zand's piety surely impressed many, and his preaches made an impact on the Muslim community.

Spoiler: Pictures of the Hajj

After coming home to Shirvan from Hajj, the Sheikh's religious authority was stronger than ever. Swiftly, he changed the laws to allow title revocation in the Sheikdom, and replaced both the imam and the mayor who were vassals under him, giving the city to his chancellor and the mosque to his court imam.

Time passed slowly, and living in his palace with his wives, it was only a matter of time before Zand fathered a son. He was to be called Muhammed of course, and he would tread in the great prophet's footsteps. Two daughters would also come to life further down the years.

Spoiler: The Daughters

While the Sheikh lived life at home, he focused on building the economy of his realm. Although one could come a long, long way with only the praise of the Greatest, one would always come longer with pockets full of gold. Business was surely blooming under his reign, but at the same time his liege had other plans. Rebellions spawned across the realms in the 770s, all the while the little Sheikhdom of Shirvan refused to participate and instead opened new shops.

Ironically, it was the economy that would claim Zand's life - not the raging rebellious wars. Development of local business under a war for independence is no easy task, and soon the stress manifested itself malignantly in the very fibres of Zand's body. After only 4 years of rule, the stress ended his life and manifested him as only a footnote in the history of Islam.

 

[Nuada Airgetlám]

A lengthy regency then.

 

[I had a bad name 51]

well that sucks barely got to know the guy

 

[HFresch]

This campaign is a lot harder than I thought :-/ My liege is always trying to convert me, and the Arabians are hungering for my land. Just have to figure out how to avoid those things, hang in there! :O

 

[HFresch]

Alright guys, it seems this project was too much for me. Azerbadjan was just a way too turbulent region in the 9th century for me to deal with. There isn't even any fun in writing how I lose. My liege just gets destroyed by Byzantines, Arabs or horse lords and takes me down with him.

I'll look at the different heresies and find a new project like this, don't worry! I'll post a link to the new thread here when I decide on what to do.

Thanks for the support!

 

[Nuada Airgetlám]

Sounds grim. But good luck with your next project.

 

[Idhrendur]

That's too bad. But I'll gladly read whatever you start next.

 

[I had a bad name 51]

good luck!