Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

In searching for the perfect battle scene where the Alam is deployed as a battle banner in the role as a Psychological weapon I found this in https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/past-exhibitions

Yet another amazing illustration!! Thank you for all the time you spend seeking all of these to help us better understand many of the salient points you place in these threads.

I am a bit puzzled on the 'alem', which is an item not often covered in discussions of Islamic arms. I had thought it was a metal device usually placed atop a pole, in the manner of a polearm or spear and was used as a guidon in forming and directing bodies of troops.

These it seems were often lavished with elaborate Quranic passages and symbolism (much as thuluth covered examples in Sudan), but I was not aware these included textile banners.


The talismanic (psychological) properties are clear however, as these kinds of inscriptions and invocations compel warriors as they move forward into battle.