ARCHERY IN ISLĀM
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The Way of the Righteous
The Way of the Righteous
If one desires an honourable journey, it is necessary to discuss nations that upheld the Sunnah of archery after the Noble Companions (Raḍī Allāhu ‘anhum).
Imāms of Archery
Imāms of Archery
There have been a few, however, the most commonly known Imāms of Archery are Abū Hāshim Mawardī, Tāhir al-Balkhī, Isḥāq ar-Raqqī, and aṭ-Ṭabarī. Legends have it that they recognised the archery prowess of the Companions (Raḍī Allāhu ‘anhum) and treated the noble art with much respect. They regarded Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ (Raḥmatullāhi ‘alayhi) as the Shaykh of the Ancient Order, the Patron Saint and Knight of Islām (Fāris al-Islām), to whom all branches of archery trace, and who fought in every battle with the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
The Arab Warrior Class
The Arab Warrior Class
Along with the Khurāsānī Arabs, they gradually lost their prominence, replaced by Turkic slave troops. As documented by contemporaries, these new warriors earned admiration for their skill as bowmen and horse-archers. Khurāsānīs trained by practising vaulting onto horseback, playing polo, and then progressing to shooting at sitting quarry, hoops, and birds in flight.
The Saljūqs
The Saljūqs
Flag of the Saljūq Empire.
The Saljūqs, the first Turkic tribe to embrace Islām, were renowned for their archery. It is said that a thousand of their horse archers, releasing a single volley of arrows, could defeat a thousand Arab horses. No army could withstand such an assault. The Saljūqs were skilled at shooting from horseback, targeting beasts, birds, hoops, men, and birds in flight, all while galloping in any direction, loosing ten arrows before the enemy could loose one. The Saljūq spelt certain death since he was as accurate in retreat as in attack. Turks could hit the pupil of an eye, and their arrows, made of bone, highlighted their expertise.
The borders of the Great Saljūq state.
The Ayyūbids and Mamlūks
The Ayyūbids and Mamlūks
Ayyūbid sultanate and the Mamlūk sultanate.
Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn, Sulṭān of the Ayyūbid Dynasty, was a defender of the Islamic caliphate against Crusader onslaughts. He laid the foundations of a military system that was later preserved and expanded by the Mamlūks. Many of these Mamlūks were of Turkic origin and had entered service as military slaves. The military training methods developed and refined under Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn were documented, institutionalised, and transmitted by the Mamlūks across generations.
From a young age, Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn was shaped by remarkable figures who each contributed in distinct ways to his development. His uncle, Shīrkūh, provided rigorous and practical training in archery, horsemanship, and battlefield command. This training gave him the martial foundation required of a great commander. His father, Najm ad-Dīn Ayyūb, guided his moral and intellectual formation. He instilled prudence, discipline, and a strong sense of ethical responsibility. Beyond his family, the pious and just leadership of Nūr ad-Dīn Maḥmūd Zengī had a profound influence on Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn. It inspired him to model his own rule on principles of justice, integrity, and religious duty.
Under Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn’s leadership, these combined lessons were refined and applied across Egypt and Syria. This resulted in the formation of a disciplined and ethically guided army. The institutions he established trained mamlūk soldiers, many of whom were of Turkic origin. From among them, figures such as Aybak, Quṭuz, and Baybars later rose to prominence. These leaders preserved Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn’s military ethos and, in the generations that followed, successfully defended the Islamic caliphate against both Crusader and Mongol threats. In this way, his legacy endured well beyond his lifetime.
The Ottomans
The Ottomans
Coat of arms of the Ottoman Empire.
The Ottomans are known for preserving the Prophetic archery traditions in Islām, making it integral to their culture. Archery was highly valued by Sulṭāns, ʿUlamāʾ, imāms, military, artisans, and ordinary people.
Archery, originating with humanity, was initially used for defence and sustenance. An Ottoman scribe recorded Nabī Ādam (ʿalayhis-salām) as the first archer. It later became a key tool in warfare, with ʿUqbah ibn ʿĀmir (RA) owning 70 bows at his death. Each bow had its quiver filled with arrows.
Master Archers
Master Archers
Becoming a Kemankeş ("Master Archer") in the Ottoman Empire was a rigorous journey that began in childhood, typically around 7 to 10 years old, when training in basic archery and physical conditioning started. By their teenage years, aspiring archers advanced to more complex techniques, including horsemanship, swordsmanship, and military strategies, while also delving into Islamic studies, such as memorising the Qurʾān and understanding Ḥadīth.
A Kemankeş was not only a skilled archer but also expected to master Islamic arts like calligraphy, exhibit moral integrity, and embody devotion to Allāh. As they progressed, usually by their late twenties or early thirties, they became elite warriors, gaining experience in battle and refining their leadership skills. Once recognised as a Kemankeş, they were responsible for mentoring younger archers, passing down their knowledge, and serving as role models in both military and moral spheres. The full journey combined technical, spiritual, and intellectual development, making the Kemankeş a respected figure in both the battlefield and society.
With the rise of gunpowder, archery transitioned into a martial art and sport practised by Sulṭāns. After the fall of the Islamic caliphate, archery was largely neglected by the Muslim world. We aim to revive this noble art, as sincere archers may gain elevation in status, both in this world and the next, through Allāh’s mercy for following the example of Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ.
A set of Turkish Bow case (Sadak), Quiver (Tirkeş) and Arrows (Oklar). Made of Leather, silk embroidery, gold-plated silver, wood, horn, iron and feather, ca 1550.
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