MBS And “Muawiya”: When Saudi TV Rewrites History To Serve The Crown Prince’s Ambitions

-Analysis-

In the world of historical drama, conflict is not limited to palace corridors or galloping horses in epic battles; it extends to writers’ rooms, editing suites and major streaming platforms, where collective memory is reshaped according to carefully selected narratives. The controversial Saudi-produced TV series Muawiya does not deviate from this pattern. Instead, it reinforces it, presenting a complete model of how drama can be used to recycle historical narratives, rearrange heroes and villains, and serve contemporary political interests.

Produced by the Saudi Arabia-owned MBC Group, the series aired in early March, following a delay of more than two years — as if it had been awaiting a more politically favorable moment. Indeed, the decision to release the series during Ramadan 2025 was part of a deliberate strategy to reframe the image of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan — the early Muslim ruler who founded the first caliph of the Umayyad dynasty — in a new light.

Although the producers sought to frame the show as “an objective reexamination of a pivotal period in Islamic history,” every detail — from the language used in its promotion to its massive budget exceeding $100 million — indicates that it is more than just a drama; it is a full-fledged political project.

The trailer sets the scene: “An era debated by historians, an empire that stretched from East to West, a rule combining cunning and strength, and a political epic that shaped an unforgettable history.” Despite claiming neutrality, this description itself reveals the ideological purpose of the show, transforming Muawiya from a controversial historical figure into a hero who shaped history with an iron grip and rare wisdom.

But why Muawiya? And why now?

Glorifying Muawiya’s role

There is no such thing as an entirely neutral historical drama. Every narrative choice reflects a specific perspective on the past. And every scene carries an intentional message for the audience. In Muawiya, this dynamic is evident in one of its most significant distortions: presenting Muawiya’s Islam in a way that contradicts historical sources.

In the early episodes, the series adopts a historically weak narrative, portraying Muawiya as a Muslim before the conquest of Mecca. It even introduces a dramatic addition — a dialogue between him and his parents — showing him as a concerned, distressed son urging his family to embrace Islam. This is not merely a dramatic touch but a clear narrative bias that ignores what established Islamic sources confirm.

The series entire dramatic context to make it seem like “the misunderstood truth.”

Historians agree that Muawiya converted to Islam on the day of the conquest, joining the ranks of the Tulaqa’ (those pardoned by the Prophet Muhammad upon entering Mecca). Whether his conversion was out of conviction or pragmatism is debatable.

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Misunderstood truth?

Some even question claims that Muawiya was an early convert, asking if Muawiya had been an early Muslim, why the Prophet have would sought to win him over with financial gifts, referring to the wealth granted to Muawiya after the Battle of Hunayn to soften the hearts of new converts.

But the series does not stop at merely presenting this alternative narrative. It builds an entire dramatic context to make it seem like “the misunderstood truth.” By reconstructing events this way, Muawiya is portrayed as a steadfast figure opposing paganism, ahead of his time, rather than just following the flow of history.

This is not merely a retelling of the past but a reinvention of it to craft a more illustrious image of the show’s central character.

​Rewriting early Islam

This revision extends to Muawiya’s political and military influence. The series exaggerates his role during the Rashidun Caliphate, depicting him as a central decision-maker, even though historical sources do not support this. From the very first episodes, Muawiya is shown attending strategic meetings with Caliph Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, discussing plans for Islamic conquests, and appearing as a key figure in military decisions. This depiction contradicts historical facts: Muawiya was not a major political player at the time, nor was he among the influential figures shaping state policies.

The same distortion applies to his military role. In multiple battle scenes, Muawiya is depicted as a major commander in the Battle of Yarmouk, fighting on the front lines, directing troops, and leading decisive charges. Yet historical records do not list Muawiya among Yarmouk’s commanders. The true leaders — such as Khalid ibn al-Walid, Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, and Amr ibn al-As — were the ones who led the battle, while Muawiya’s name is absent from reliable sources.

The portrayal of Muawiya as the architect of a strong state aligns with Saudi Arabia’s political discourse.

His political rise did not truly begin until the reign of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, when his brother, Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan, was appointed governor of Damascus. Muawiya only assumed power after Yazid died of the plague. Until then, he was not a major figure in Islamic politics, nor was he involved in significant decisions during the Rashidun period.

So why is the series so intent on reshaping his image?

The answer lies in how historical manipulation works in drama. When a character’s early role is exaggerated, it becomes easier to convince viewers that they were always destined for leadership. This technique is not just a dramatic choice but a calculated effort to recast Muawiya — not as someone who rose to power due to circumstances, but as an exceptional leader with a long-standing impact.

Serving multiple political agendas

This historical revisionism is not limited to Muawiya himself; it extends to his entire family, crafting an image of the Abu Sufyan household as a noble lineage that supported Islam from the start — contradicting historical accounts of their initial opposition to the religion.

The series goes even further by minimizing the role of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, despite his critical influence in Islamic history. He is portrayed as weak, reducing him to a mere political rival rather than a foundational Islamic figure. The series ignores his early conversion, his close relationship with the Prophet, and his military achievements in major battles. Instead, it amplifies Muawiya’s military role and diminishes Ali’s legitimacy as a caliph.

Such distortions are not minor plot details but part of a deliberate narrative strategy that rearranges characters and events to fit a particular historical perspective. The series glorifies Muawiya as a wise statesman while reducing Ali’s role to that of an ordinary contender for power.

MBS’s legitimacy

In the past, ruling dynasties used poets and official historians to craft versions of history that granted them political legitimacy. Today, historical TV series serve the same purpose, reinterpreting the past to align with modern political narratives.

The portrayal of Muawiya as the architect of a strong state aligns with Saudi Arabia’s political discourse, reinforcing the idea that its current system is part of an inevitable historical progression. There is also a clear parallel between Muawiya and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman; both figures reshaped governance, moving from consultative rule to centralized authority.

The timing of Muawiya and its political undertones suggest that the show is more than just historical entertainment. It is a calculated attempt to rewrite Islamic history, aligning it with contemporary political agendas and shaping collective memory accordingly.