Storieta
English
Save & sign up
A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihád' Showing that all the Wars of Mohammad Were Defensive; and that Aggressive War, or Compulsory Conversion, is not Allowed in The Koran - 1885

Public-domain ebook

A Critical Exposition of the Popular 'Jihád' Showing that all the Wars of Mohammad Were Defensive; and that Aggressive War, or Compulsory Conversion, is not Allowed in The Koran - 1885

by Cherágh Ali

Language: en7,337 downloads on Project Gutenberg

Subjects

In: Islam·History - Ancient·History - Religious

Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #20927.

About this book

This work is a scholarly apologetic treatise by Cherágh Ali, published in 1885, that sets out to demonstrate that the early Islamic wars were purely defensive and that the Qur’an never sanctions compulsory conversion or aggressive jihad. The opening pages catalogue, in exhaustive alphabetical order, the numerous tribal embassies and deputations that approached the Prophet Muhammad between the ninth and tenth years of the Hijra, emphasizing that each conversion was “without any compulsion.” Ali then juxtaposes these historical details with extensive quotations from the Qur’an and contemporary scholars, arguing that the spread of Islam was achieved through persuasion, moral reform, and internal purity rather than by the sword.

The author writes in a dense, nineteenth‑century academic style, employing long sentences, frequent citations, and a tone that oscillates between polemic and reverent exposition. Readers with an interest in Victorian‑era Oriental studies, comparative religion, or the historiography of early Islam will find the book’s meticulous documentation and its earnest defense of Muhammad’s prophetic integrity compelling. Those seeking a modern, concise overview of jihad will be better served elsewhere, but scholars of religious apologetics and historical debates will appreciate Ali’s exhaustive argumentation.

Who appears in this book

  • MohammadMiddle‑aged Arab man, dark beard, modest woolen cloak, simple turban, solemn expression

The opening · free to read

Page Line For Read

v 21 them Omit " 22 them it xvii f.n. Maaddite Moaddite xxxiv 21 Morra Murra " 22 Soleim Suleim xlii 9 Kauuka Kainuka xliii 22 f.n. Mozeima Mozeina xlv 25 Khusain Khushain liv 1 Ban Bani " 10 Ghassianide Ghassanide lxxxviii 30 Khalips Khalifs xci 30 Caliphater Caliphate 11 10 Kurzibn Kurz-ibn 18 9 God[2] God: " " desist[3] desist " 16 persecution persecution[2] " 17 (fitnah (fitnah[3]) 27 5 liberty and liberty, any of " 6 brethern merely brethren, merely " 6-7 such a manner such manner " 8 Society or Society, or " 9 of it materially of it, materially " 12 deserve pity deserve only pity 34 6 Ibu Ibn 61 6 Rafi Rafe 72 24 ibu ibn " 25 ibu ibn 73 4 bil bin 90 1 as stallions for breeding purposes 135 28 Durar Dinar 136 16 Sirni Sirin 192 1 Jihad does not mean {Read this as a the waging of war marginal gloss " 3 Jahad Jahd. " 14 Katal and Kital Read this as a marginal gloss. " 20 Conclusion Ditto, ditto.

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

Introduction i-civ Note cv Genealogical Table of the Arabs cvi-cvii

I. The persecutions suffered by the early Moslems 1-11 II. The Meccans or the Koreish 11-16 III. The defensive character of the wars of Mohammad 16-34 IV. The Jews 34-40 V. The Christians or Romans 40-41 VI. The intolerance 42-51 VII. The ninth chapter of Sura Barat 51-55 VIII. The alleged interception of the Koreish caravans by the Moslems 55-60 IX. The alleged assassinations by the command or connivance of Mohammad 60-76 X. The alleged cruelty in executing the prisoners of war 76-91 XI. Some miscellaneous objections refuted 91-114 XII. The popular Jihad or Crusade 114-161

Appendix A. The word Jihad in the Koran does not mean warfare 163-192 Appendix B. Slavery and concubinage not allowed by the Koran 193-223 Appendix C. Koranic references 225-227

The book keeps going

Keep reading, and see it illustrated

Reading is free forever. Sign up and watch scenes appear while you read.

Illustrated scene from The Great GatsbyIllustrated scene from Pride and PrejudiceIllustrated scene from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Scenes Storieta drew for other classics.

New illustrated classics

A new classic, drawn, in your inbox.

Once or twice a month: the latest books to get full character casts, scene art, and free comic editions. No account needed.