Alp Arslan: The Sultan who Captured a Byzantine Emperor
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
Alp Arslan was a warrior whose very presence demanded attention. Exceptionally tall and a renowned horseman, this prince was instantly recognisable by the prominent moustache that flowed down his back . His men would bestow upon him the title “valiant lion,” - a name Muhammad ibn Dawud would embody throughout his remarkable life. This warrior of the Seljuk Dynasty was instrumental in the spread of Islam in the Asia Minor.
Struggle for succession
In 1059, Alp Arslan was the governor of Khurasan following the death of his father, Dawud Chagri. But it was the death of his uncle, Sultan Tughril Beg which caused a leadership struggle after having no son to inherit his title. However the appointment of Alp Arslan’s young brother, Suleiman, was contested by several members of the Seljuks. Two prominent contenders emerged - Alp Arslan and his cousin Qutalmish, who went to war in the Battle of Damghan. Arslan emerged victorious and became the next Seljuk leader.
In 1064, Sultan Alp Arslan conquered Armenia and Georgia. He extended his influence into the Asia Minor, most of which was under Byzantine rule. He would later be viewed as a target by the Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV, who wanted revenge for the lands lost to the Turks.
Challenge from the Byzantine Emperor
In 1071, Alp Arslan embarked on jihad into the Byzantine lands, expanding into Anatolia. This enraged Emperor Romanos who gathered a large army of 300,000 men containing Russians, Georgians, Franks and other Christians. The Sultan’s army was much smaller, numbering at around 15,000. He gathered his men, and said:
I sacrifice my soul for Allah’s sake, and if I am fortunate enough to be gained martyrdom, then my burial will be in the gullets of green birds, having gone from the throats of grey vultures. But if I am victorious, how fortunate will I be when I reach the evening and my today will be better than my yesterday.
The Sultan and his forces attacked the front ranks of the enemy, largely consisting of Russian soldiers. The Muslims won a great victory, by the permission of Allah and captured many leaders. Sultan Alp Arslan sent a peace treaty to Emperor Romanos who arrogantly rejected it. He wanted to attack the Seljuks to reclaim Byzantine lands and establish his authority within the region. (Al Omary, 2021, 243-4).
He sent an envoy to the Sultan, showcasing his arrogance with a defiant message.
“I have come to you with forces you cannot resist, so become subservient to me willingly.”
Angered, the honour of Islam overtook Alp Arslan, and he told the envoy:
“Tell your master, it is not you who have brought me out, but it is God, to Whom be praise, who has brought you and your troops to me, to make you food for the Muslims.”
Sultan Alp Arslan was advised by the scholar of the army to confront the Romans on a Friday, so the Muslims can make dua for them during congregational prayer. Their collective supplication to Allah would give victory to the warriors of jihad.
As a result, they gathered on 19th August 1071 (25th of Zul Qa’dah, 431 AH).
Weeping, Alp Arslan led his men in prayer and made dua to Allah. He declared he would fight with the Muslims as a warrior in the battlefield. He wore white, telling the army it would be his burial shroud if killed and his son Malik Shah would succeed him.
The Muslim forces stayed firm, meeting the larger Byzantine army on the outskirts of a town called Manzikert.
The two sides advanced and Sultan Alp Arslan dismounted his horse, rubbing dust on his face, supplicating for victory. The Muslims attacked the Byzantine army, remaining patient and steadfast until Allah honoured them with victory.
Emperor Romanos himself was captured. This was the first and only time an emperor had become a political prisoner.
According to legend, Sultan Alp Arslan placed his foot on the Emperor’s neck, spawning a famous French painting depicting the incident. However it’s more likely the Sultan showed courtesy to him, recognising his nobility.
Famous French painting showing Romanos IV’s humilating capture by Alp Arslan
The Sultan’s Mercy and Muslim Expansion
Upon capturing Romanos, Arslan asked what the Emperor would do if he were brought before him as a prisoner. Romanos replied that he would kill him or display him through the streets of Constantinople.
In a striking display of diplomacy and forbearance, Sultan Alp Arslan replied:
My punishment is far heavier. I forgive you, and set you free.
Romanos was released after the Byzantines agreed to pay an annual tribute of 1.5 million gold pieces and 360,000 in ransom. In later battles Antioch, Edessa and Hierapolis would be conquered by the Seljuks.
The Emperor was captured for a week, where he was shown great kindness and generosity. Alp Arslan then sent him back to Constantinople unharmed, along with gifts — a significant blow to Roman pride. In contrast, Romanos faced a brutal fate at the hands of his own people, who deposed and imprisoned him. He was tortured and blinded, left to die in the island of Prote. He died in 1072.
The victory at Manzikert was extremely significant for military expansion, as Asia Minor was now open for Muslim settlement. The Roman defeat in this battle marked the beginning of the decline of the Byzantine Empire. Their humiliation in this battle and the loss of Jerusalem were precursors to the Christian Crusades. Sultan Alp Arslan died the following year in Khurasan, but his son Malik Shah succeeded him and continued the Seljuk ascent.
What We Can Learn Today
Sultan Alp Arslan can be described as a respected and dominant leader whose valiant legacy is an inspiration to the ummah. Most notably, his conduct at Manzikert teaches prophetic character when facing an enemy.
His humility towards Emperor Romanos, emulates that of the Prophet ﷺ who ordered the Companions to treat the Quraish captives generously after Badr. This contrasts the hostility the believers regularly face from arrogant opponents, which shows the higher moral character of the Muslims.
Secondly, the battle of Manzikert took place on a Friday which cannot be underestimated. Sultan Alp Arslan fought after congregational prayers in order for the Muslims to supplicate for the warriors of jihad. This emphasises that our worship must be tied to striving in the path of Allah.
Two duas are rarely or never rejected, which is the dua during the call to prayer, or during a calamity when two armies attack one another.
Similarly, our beloved Prophet ﷺ on Ramadan 12AH, beseeched Allah for help at Badr and said:
‘Oh Allah, if you were to exterminate this small group of Muslims, you will be worshipped on earth no more.’
The Prophet then offered two ra’kah of prayer, informing the Muslims that the enemy will be defeated. (Najeebabadi, 2000, 156-163)
This proves that we can never have victory without the help of Allah. When facing the enemy, we must supplicate as a collective with humility and fear in our hearts. Sultan Alp Arslan cried out to Allah on the day of Manzikert with tears in his eyes, preparing for either victory of martyrdom. This is the mentality we must have. To do our best when it comes to our striving. But the outcome is controlled by the Will of Allah.
As an ummah, faith-based resistance is essential. Victory is not achieved by hope alone but through God-conscious action—intentions, timing, and quality of worship. Relying on secular means—institutions, treaties, or allies—neglects the Creator’s central role. The wealth and power of the Byzantines and Quraish could not prevent their humiliation; no effort surpasses the decree of Allah, the Exalted.
Victory being tied to God consciosness is outlined in in Surah Nasr, revealed after the Opening of Makkah:
إِذَا جَآءَ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْفَتْحُ ١
When Allah’s ˹ultimate˺ help comes and the victory ˹over Mecca is achieved˺,
وَرَأَيْتَ ٱلنَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًۭا ٢
and you ˹O Prophet˺ see the people embracing Allah’s Way in crowds,
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَٱسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ تَوَّابًۢا ٣
then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness, for certainly He is ever Accepting of Repentance.
The last ayat mentions glorifying Allah and seeking forgiveness after the victory. This shows that the outcome was through Allah alone, emphasising the need to be humble, submissive and grateful to the Creator. If we want victory, we cannot separate our actions from the worship and glorification of Allah. This is not ritualistic remembrance, but a conscious and active awareness which fuels our mindset and actions.
When we stand up for our brothers and sisters being oppressed, we must ask ourselves, who are these actions for, and how does worship tie into my actions? We have opportunities such as Tajjahud every night to make dua, Friday prayers each week or Ramadan in the year to bolster our worship. Similarly, Istikhara is a good chance to ask for Divine assistance when needing to make a decision. When we’re pure in our intentions to help the ummah, Allah will bless this action - if we ask.
May Allah make us steadfast in faith, and bring forth true leaders to this ummah like Sultan Alp Arslan to raise the glory of Islam across the globe. Ameen.
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Jazakallah khair for reading. Please benefit the ummah by sharing this knowledge and downloading a transcript below. Feel free to use it for your own research or personal study.
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