Chapter I: Front Matter

A

CRITICAL EXPOSITION

OF THE

POPULAR "JIHÁD."

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.

WITH APPENDICES PROVING THAT THE WORD "JIHAD" DOES NOT EXEGETICALLY MEAN 'WARFARE,' AND THAT SLAVERY IS NOT SANCTIONED BY THE PROPHET OF ISLAM.

BY MOULAVI GHERÁGH ALI,

_Author of_

"REFORMS UNDER MOSLEM RULE," "HYDERABAD (DECCAN) UNDER SIR SALAR JUNG."

CALCUTTA: THACKER, SPINK AND CO.

1885.

CALCUTTA: PRINTED BY THACKER, SPINK AND CO.

NOTE.

I here take the opportunity of removing a wrong idea of the alleged injunction of the Prophet against our countrymen the Hindús. The Hon'ble Raja Sivá Prasad, in his speech at the Legislative Council, on the 9th March, 1883, while discussing the Ilbert Bill, quoted from Amir Khusro's _Tarikh Alái_ that, "Ala-ud-dín Khiliji once sent for a Kází, and asked him what was written in the Code of Mehammadan law regarding the Hindús. The Kází answered that, the Hindús were _Zimmis_ (condemned to pay the Jízya tax); if asked silver, they ought to pay gold with deep respect and humility; and if the collector of taxes were to fling dirt in their faces, they should gladly open their mouths wide. God's order is to keep them in subjection, and the Prophet enjoins on the faithful to kill, plunder and imprison them, to make Mussulmáns, or to put them to the sword, to enslave them, and confiscate their property....'" [_Vide_ Supplement to the _Gazette of India_, April 21, 1883, page 807.]

These alleged injunctions, I need not say here, after what I have stated in various places of this book regarding intolerance, and compulsory conversion, are merely false imputations. There are no such injunctions of the Prophet against either _Zimmis_, (_i.e._, protected or guaranteed) or the Hindús.

TO
THE HONORABLE
SYED AHMED KHAN BAHADUR, C.S.I.,
THIS BOOK
IS, WITHOUT EVEN ASKING PERMISSION.
AND WHOLLY WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE.
DEDICATED
AS A SLIGHT BUT SINCERE TESTIMONY OF ADMIRATION FOR HIS LONG
AND VARIOUS SERVICES IN THE CAUSE OF ISLAM
AND
IN RESPECT OF HIS RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL REFORMS IN THE
MOSLIMS OF INDIA,
AND
OF GRATITUDE FOR MUCH PERSONAL KINDNESS AND FRIENDSHIP,
BY
THE AUTHOR.

[Transcriber's Note: All errata listed below have been corrected in the e-text. Mistakes not listed below have been left as they appeared in the printed book, although missing or misplaced punctuation marks have been corrected.]

ERRATA.

_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 Barát_ 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 Jihád 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

Index 229-249

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction--

Paras. Page. 1. Object of the book i

2. Early wrongs of the Moslem; justification in taking up
arms, if taken ii

3. Commencement of the war; the Koreish being public
enemy were liable to be treated as such _ib._

4. But the Moslems could not take up arms to redress their
wrongs under certain circumstances iii

5. Moslems otherwise engaged at Medina had no intention
of suffering the horrors of war by taking the initiative,
but were in imminent danger from the enemy iv

6. The Koreish first attacked the Moslems at Medina. They
could not forbear the escape of the Moslems v

7. Three battles waged by the Koreish against Mohammad--Badr,
Ohad, and Ahzáb: these wars on the Moslem side
were purely in defence, not waged even to redress their
wrongs or re-establish their rights vii

8. The battle of Badr was defensive on the part of Mohammad.
Reasons for the same viii

9. Mohammad at Medina, owing to the attacks, inroads, and
threatening gatherings of the Koreish and other tribes,
had hardly time to think of offensive measures xi

10. Armed opposition of the Koreish to the Moslem pilgrims
from Medina in the vicinity of Mecca. The truce of
Hodeibia xv

11. The Koreish again commit hostilities and violate their
pledge. War declared against those who had violated
the truce. War not carried out xvi

12. War with foes other than Koreish xviii

13. Expedition to Tabúk to check the advancing enemy. No
war took place xix

14. Number of the wars of Mohammad much exaggerated:
_Ghazava_ defined; number of actual wars xx

15. The Revd. Mr. Green's remarks on the wars of Mohammad
criticised xxiii

16. Another view of the wars of Mohammad xxviii

17. Caravans if waylaid were waylaid by way of reprisal xxx

18. Intolerance; no compulsory conversion enjoined or took
place during Mohammad's lifetime:
Sir W. Muir quoted and refuted xxxi

19. A brief sketch of the propagation of Islam at Mecca:
Islam at Mecca;
Islam at Abyssinia;
Conversions at Nakhla xxxii

20. Rapid stride of Islam at Medina xxxvii

21. The increasing number of Moslem converts at Mecca
after the Hegira xxxix

22. Disturbed state of the public peace among the tribes
surrounding Medina. Internicine wars, an obstacle to
the propagation of Islam xl

23. Sketch of the intertribal wars in Arabia during the lifetime
of Mohammad xli

24. Spread of Islam in the surrounding tribes at Medina
after the Hegira I--VI xliii

25. Mecca a barrier against the conversion of the Southern
tribes xliv

26. Tribal conversions in the sixth year. Conversion among
several other tribes of the North and North-east in
A.H. VIII xlv

27. Surrender of Mecca, A.H. VIII xlvii

28. Mecca not compelled to believe _ib._

29. The wholesale conversion of the remaining tribes,
A.H. IX and X xlviii

30. The various deputations in the 9th and 10th year of the
Hegira li

31. A list of the deputations of conversion received by
Mohammad at Medina during A.H. IX and X li--lviii

32. All conversions, individual and tribal, were without any
compulsion lix

33. Mohammad was not favoured with circumstances round
him. The difficulty Mohammad encountered in his
work. Marcus Dods quoted:
Dr. Mohseim's causes of the spread of Islam and Hallam
quoted lx--lxv

34. Mohammad's unwavering belief in his own mission and
his success show him to be a true prophet. Mohammad's
efforts established monotheism in Arabia. His
manly exertions, and his single handed perseverance.
The business and office of a prophet described. Sir W.
Muir and Stobart quoted lxv--lxix

35. The reforms of Mohammad, his iconoclastic policy. The
redemption of Arabia from venal debauchery and infatuated
superstition. Muir, Marcus Dods, Stephens
quoted lxix--lxxvii

36. Indictment against Mohammad. His alleged cruelty and
sensuality. Muir, Rev. Hughes, Marcus Dods, and
Stanley Poole refuted lxxviii--lxxxvii

37. Objections to the (1) Finality of the social reforms of
Mohammad, (2) positive precepts, (3) ceremonial law,
(4) morality, (5) want of adaptability to the varying
circumstances lxxxvii--lxxxix

38. All these objections apply rather to the teaching of the
Mohammadan Common Law than to the Koran xc

39. (1) Finality of social reforms of Mohammad discussed.
Intermediary not to be considered final xc--xcii

40. (2) Positive precepts and (3) ceremonial law, pilgrimage,
_Kibla_, amount of alms, fasts, forms and attitude of
prayer, &c.: pretentious prayers and ostentatious
almsgiving xcii--xcvii

41. (4) The Koran, both abstract and concrete in morals xcvii--cii

42. (5) Adaptability of the Koran to surrounding
circumstances cii--ciii

43. Suitability of the Koran to all classes of humanity ciii--civ

Note cv

Genealogical tables of the tribes mentioned in para. 31 of
the Introduction cvi--cvii

ALL THE WARS OF MOHAMMAD WERE DEFENSIVE.

_I.--The Persecution._

1. The early persecution of Moslems by the people of Mecca 2

2. Notices of the persecutions in the Koran 4

3. Insults suffered by Mohammad 5

4. Historical summary of the persecutions 8

5. The Hegira, or the expulsion of the Moslems from Mecca 9

6. The persecution of the Moslems by the Koreish after their
flight from Mecca 11

_II.--The Meccans or the Koreish._

7. A Koreish chieftain commits a raid near Medina, A.H. 1 _ib._

8. The Koreish march to attack Medina. Battle of Badr _ib._

9. Attack by Abu Sofian upon Medina, A.H. 2 12

10. Battle of Ohad 12

11. Mohammad's prestige affected by the defeat _ib._

12. Abu Sofian threatened the Moslems with another attack next
year 13

13. The Koreish again attack Medina with a large army.
Mohammad defends the city. The enemy retire. A.H. 5 14

14. Mohammad with his followers advanced to perform the
lesser pilgrimage of Mecca. The Koreish oppose Mohammad,
who return disappointed. The treaty of Hodeibia 15

15. Violation of the treaty by the Koreish and their submission 16

16. Two other tribes assume the offensive _ib._

_III.--The Defensive Character of the Wars._

17. Verses from the Koran in support of the defensive character
of the wars 25

18. What the above quoted verses show 26

19. Justification of the Moslems in taking up arms against their
aggressors 27

20. The first aggression after the Hegira was not on the part
of Mohammad 28

21. The alleged instances examined 29

22. Hamza and Obeida's expeditions _ib._

23. Abwa, Bowat, and Osheira expeditions 30

24. The affair at Nakhla 31

25. At Badr Mohammad came only in his defence 33

26. The first aggression after the Hegira if from Mohammad,
might fairly be looked upon as retaliation 34

_IV.--The Jews._

27. The Jews broke treaties _ib._

28. Bani Kainukaa, Bani Nazeer, Khyber, and Ghatafán 35

29. Notice of them in Koran 37

30. The judgment of Sád 38

31. Defensive character of the expedition against the Jews of
Khyber 40

_V.--The Christians or Romans._

32. Tabúk, the last expedition _ib._

33. Description of the wars concluded 41

_VI.--The Intolerance._

34. Mohammad never taught intolerance 43

35. In what sense the wars were religious wars 44

36. The alleged verses of intolerance explained 45

37. Sir William Muir quoted 47

38. Comment on the above quotation 50

39. Object of Mohammad's wars 51

_VII.--The Ninth Chapter or Sura Barát._

40. The opening portion of the IX Sura of the Koran only
relates to the Koreish who had violated the truce 55

_VIII.--The alleged Interceptions of the Koreish Caravans._

41. The nine alleged interceptions of the Koreish caravans 57

42. The interceptions were impossible under the circumstances
in which Mohammad was placed 59

43. The interceptions, if occurred, were justified by way of
reprisal 60

_IX.--The alleged Assassinations._

44. Instances of the alleged assassinations cited 61

45. Mr. Stanley Poole quoted 62

46. Asma-bint Marwan 63

47. The story deserves not our belief 64

48. Abu Afak 65

49. Kab, son of Ashraf 66

50. Mohammad could never have had any share in Kab's murder 68

51. Sofian bin Khalid 69

52. Justification of Sofian's alleged murder 70

53. Abu Rafe 72

54. Oseir bin Zarim 73

55. The intended assassination of Abu Sofian 74

56. Irving and Muir quoted; concluding remarks 76

_X.--The alleged Cruelties in executing Prisoners of War
and others._

57. Treatment of the prisoners of war _ib._

58. Law of nations regarding the prisoners of war 77

59. The execution of Nadher Ibn Harith 79

60. The execution of Okba 80

61. Free liberty granted to Ozza, a prisoner of war 81

62. Abul Ozza proved a traitor and was executed _ib._

63. The execution of Moavia Ibn Mughira _ib._

64. Justification of Mughira's execution 82

65. The intended execution of the prisoners of Badr and the
wrong version of Sir W. Muir 83

66. Mohammad was never blamed in the Koran for releasing
prisoners 84

67. The Koran enjoins the prisoners of war to be either freely
liberated or ransomed, but neither executed nor enslaved 87

68. High treason of the Bani Koreiza against Medina and their
execution 88

69. The whole of the Bani Koreiza were never executed _ib._

70. The women and children of Bani Koreiza were never sold 89

71. The exaggerated number of persons executed 91

_XI.--Some Miscellaneous Objections refuted._

72. The execution of Omm Kirfa for brigandage 92

73. The alleged mutilation of the Urnee robbers 93

74. Amputation or banishment substituted temporarily in place of
imprisonment for want of a well organized system of jails 95

75. Torture of Kinana 96

76. The alleged execution of a singing girl 97

77. The charitable spirit of Mohammad towards his enemies 98

78. Abu Basir not countenanced by the Prophet in contravention
to the spirit of the treaty of Hodeibia 101

79. Nueim not employed by the Prophet to circulate false reports
in the enemy's camp 102

80. Deception in war allowed by the International Law _ib._

81. Lecky's standard of morality 104

82. The alleged permission to kill the Jews 106

83. Sir W. Muir quoted 108

84. The expulsion of the Bani Nazeer _ib._

85. Their fruit-trees were not cut down 109

86. Females and the treaty of Hodeibia 110

87. Stanley defended 111

88. Marriage a strict bond of union 113

_The Popular Jihád._

89. The Koran enjoins only defensive wars 114

90. The Mohammadan Common Law and the Jihád 116

91. When is Jihád a positive injunction _ib._

92. The Hedáya quoted and refuted 117

93. Rule of interpretation 118

94. The Common Law and its commentators 119

95. Kifáya quoted 120

96. Further quotations 121

97. The _Kifáya_ refuted 122

98. S. IX, 5, discussed 123

99. S. II, 189, discussed _ib._

100. S. II, 189, and VIII, 40, are defensive 124

101. All injunctions were local and for the time being 125

102. _Ainee_ quoted and refuted _ib._

103. _Sarakhsee_ quoted and refuted 126

104. _Ibn Hajar_ quoted 128

105. _Ibn Hajar_ refuted 129

106. _Halabi_ quoted _ib._

107. _Halabi_ refuted 132

108. _Ainee_ again quoted and refuted _ib._

109. Continuation of the above 133

110. Traditions quoted and refuted _ib._

111. Early Moslem legists against the Jihád 134

112. Biographical sketches of the legists 135

113. European writers' mistakes 137

114. Sir W. Muir quoted and refuted 138

115. Islam not aggressive 139

116. Mr. Freeman quoted and refuted 140

117. The Revd. Mr. Stephens quoted and refuted 141

118. Mr. Bosworth Smith quoted and refuted 143

119. Mr. George Sale quoted and refuted _ib._

120. Major Osborn quoted 146

121. Major Osborn refuted 149

122. The IX Sura of the Koran _ib._

123. The Revd. Mr. Wherry quoted 150

124. Example cited from Jewish history explained 152

125. Mosaic injunctions 153

126. The Revd. Mr. Hughes quoted and refuted 154

127. Meaning of the word Jihád 155

128. Sura XLVIII, 5, explained 156

129. The Revd. Malcolm MacColl quoted 157

130. The untenable theories of the Mohammadan Common Law 158-161