The Shade of Swords: Jihad and the Conflict between Islam and Christianity

Loved the book, very well written.

Basically, this is a book of the history of rulers, emperors, caliphs, kings, tyrants and oppressors who failed to understand, respect and adhere to the principles of Islam and Jihad. The references and the sources of traditions quoted, including the source from which the title was adapted cannot be accredited for its authenticity.The terms Islam and Muslims had been intermittently and often wrongly used through out this book to suggest that Muslims and Islam are interchangeable and same. This view is false and misleading. Islam does not tolerate its followers to deviate from its principles and still remain Muslim. Therefore, this book is not about Islam or Jihad as the author stipulates. It is about the history of dictators, monarchs and caliphs who gained power and abused it in the name of Islam to expand and rule. It is regrettable that the name of Islam has been exploited through out the history more often by Muslim dictators and tyrants than by genuine religious authorities. Islam is a religion of peace and harmony. Aggression, suppression and repression are not acceptable alternatives. Quran clearly indicates that religion is optional and cannot be imposed or forced upon any one. It is by free will and not by force that a person accepts Islam.The author also appears to be confused about the meaning and purpose of the concept of Jihad. Jihad is a complex concept always misinterpreted and often misapplied and this book does both. To site few attributes: Jihad is total control of mind and actions in peaceful propagation of Islam. Jihad is character building leading towards moral excellence. Jihad is defensive resistance and not a conduit to battlefield. Jihad is not for reappraisal and revenge. Jihad is self defense or self protection from oppressors and tyrants. Jihad is certainly not murder of the innocent. Quran (29-6)," Who ever does Jihad it is against his own self".This book failed to mention that Prophet Mohammed fought only defensive wars. None of the 87 wars fought during his life were offensive. His life represented compromises, forgiveness, love, compassion and respect for human beings. Islam grew exponentially through love and respect for other human beings. An often ignored fact is the growth of Islam through out the world by missionaries and Sufi saints, who influenced people by their piety and human values only. Islam is self propagating because it teaches peace, equality, justice, spirituality and denounces exertion of power and all forms of foul politics.

Thoughtful book

Prophet Mohammed's wisdom 'Ink of a Scholar is more holy than the blood of Martyr' is right said! Great Faith, Great Reveleations, Great Concern, Great Efforts and a `Bold, Outspoken Voice by MJ, the Shade of Swords traces the roots of Jihad - `It is not an invitation to kill; it is an invitation to die'. Islamic faith demands in a holy war, the blood of faithful in the defense of their faith and this is Jihad. The war that started years ago whose roots were deep as MJ traces the origins of Jihad, a research of hard work that has a fantastic, gripping story journeying across across centuries and continents, written after the fall of Moscow. The triumphant rise of Islam under the Prophet Muhammad when angel of God Gabriel read the word of God. Allah's messenger said `Paradise is under the shade of swords' and the spirit of Jihad entered Islam at Badr, Arabic jhad, meaning exertion or striving. As Mj puts it, "A holy war, the war of righteousness, the struggle against tyranny. A passion indifferent to the fate of battle because the jihadi wins either way: in the long run, the war will be won; and in the short run, death will bring martyrdom and paradise. A jihadi strife to cleanse one's soul as no martyrdom is possible without inner purity" MJ has all the way a gripping history of Islam, the collapse of the Mogul and Ottoman empires to the modern struggle for Palestine. 'The West's next confrontation is definitely going to come from the Muslim world. It is in the sweep of Islamic nations from the Maghreb to Pakistan that the struggle for a new world order will begin.' Says MJ and reveals the History as anger and a literature of revenge that divided India and created Pakistan.MJ refers to contempts lucidly expressed by Bengali novelist like Bankimchandra, Mrityunjay and Saratchandra Chattopadhyay. These Bengali infused hate and triggered differences. Saratchandra in his speech and books said "Hindu muslim unity is a bombastic phrase, muslims were not satisfied merely with looting, they destroyed temples, demolished idols, raped women. The kings couldn't liberate themselves from these loathsome desires and even King Akbar was no better than notorious emperors like aurangzeb. Muslims were barbarians....And the school text books covers up these lessons!Further MJ says about the partition and states, the muslims in the world to enjoy sustained democratic liberty are not in Pakistan but who remained in India and they pose more problems than anyone deserves, 150 million of them, paying price for their ancestors and success of muslim league. Witnessing the Babri mosque destruction in 1992, the resultant riots have become mob barbarism with administration giving a friendly nod to violence, fresh in Gujarat recently. MJ further pens down that Osama emerged out of Afghan experience with unshakeable conviction and later Al Qaida, The Foundation, became the vehicle for his politics, he as new caliph who would safeguard Muslim interest across the world. And as we witness the terror today, Ramzi Ahmed Yousef who dreamed of toppling twin towers was arrested and yet, the towers came down over eight years because that dream was not arrested and such organizations like Taliban and Al Qaida, without a government or a country befall terror and fight a jihad against the worst enemy America who declared war on Taliban and though the defeat of Taliban was complete, Osama Bin Laden is mystery but the spirit continues as a volunteer in the war in Afghanistan says `Jihad continues, if allah chose me to die, I would have been in paradise eating honey and watermelons and grapes...as promised in quran but my fate is to remain amid the unhappiness here on earth.Mj concludes `Defeat is only a setback in the holy war...and the Jihad continues, the fire that is visible on the muslim streets across the world today is fuelled by a perception of injustice and exploitation by the west. When I read some excerts of 'What went wrong' by Bernard Lewis, Shade of Swords is the answer to 'The superior West'SoS, (Call it Save our Souls too!) An Excellent reveleation of History, Religion, Political ploys and research, work written non-biased to any religion and depicting facts as they are, MJ is undoubtedly a genius Editor Journalist, who has balance views and this book stands `Best' among his many other four popular books namely Riot After Riot, India: The Siege within, Kashmir - Behind the vale, Nehru - The Making of India.

Good.

Good book though a bit difficult English to read.

I have always been a fan of Mr. Akbar. His understanding of historical facts and putting them in chronology thus deriving a clear path of events is facinating. What i have always admired about Mr. Akbar's writing is that he is forthrightly unbiased in his discourse. His razor sharp wit flashes now and then in almost every page. The book is un putdownable if the reader has flair for history.

A very well researched book. Has a clean and simple flow of though. Gives good idea of how Islam spread both by power of sword and intellectual.

Good reference book to know what historical happenings the terrorists use to spread terror. A must read. However the author has talked about the Muslim league and it's politics but has bluntly drawn a connection of independence struggle with militancy.