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

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This very readable account of the case of Jihad and the conflict between Islam and the world, is a must read for anyone interested in the present conflict. The book traces the birth of Islam and the injunction to Jihad. There is no sugar coating here, no pretending that Jihad means `peace' or that Jihad is the `internal struggle'. Instead a fair presentation is given as to the reasons for Jihad and its manifestation. The history of Islam is traced, from the 4 early Caliphs, through to the defeats at Constantinople and Tours.

We are given a tour of Islam as it spreads and as it confronts Christianity. We encounter the Crusades. We see how Islam transformed, became corrupted and attempted reform. We see the Ottomans at the gates of Vienna and then the `sick man of Europe'. Great concentration, perhaps 1/3 of the book, is dedicated to the confrontation in India between England, Islam and Hinduism. It is here that the books strength lies. The author gives a perfect rendition of the Indian independence struggle and Ali Jinnah and the birth of Pakistan. An honest assessment is made of how Pakistan became a `home for Islam' and then a `home for terrorism'. Pakistan is presented, not Saudi Arabia, as the home of international terrorism, due to the ISS support of the Taliban and Osama.

There are several generalizations, as there must be in this book. There is great description of Christian vitriol against Islam and similar Hindu `anti-Islamic' statements. The reader is told that even Dante was not fair to Islam. There is great cataloguing of Christian atrocities. However the reader is not treated to the many Islamic atrocities at places like Famagusta, and oddly Lepanto the turning point of the Mediterranean expansion of the Ottomans is not covered. This can be attributed to bias on the books part. Islam is presented as the victim, however it is not clear how this `defensive' Jihad conquered 1/3 of the world? Many questions are left unanswered and the reader must be cautious for many events are one sided, however this is not apologetic, Islam is also given its due.

Seth J. Frantzman

Shri M. J. Akbar is a highly respected journalist, and the Chief Editor of Asian Age. Most of his writing has so far focused on India (The Siege Within, The Making of India, Riot after Riot). This is the first time that he has attempted a more global theme, the conflict between Islam and Christianity. He has also done a reasonably good job. The book is full of insights and anecdotes, and has that special readability which only a journalist can bring to a book.

Being a journalist, Shri Akbar does not offer references for most parts of the book, assuming that others would have either read the relevant book and know the source, or would not be bothered. As a result, it is difficult to follow-up on some of his valuable insights.


The central theme of the book is Jihad, and Shri Akbar offers a sweeping perspective of the same, down the ages. His main focus is Islam and Christianity, as indicated in the sub-title. But he is not able to resist talking about Islam and Hinduism, and devotes substantial space to the same.

He also emphasizes the centrality of lesser Jihad in present day practice of Islam, so far as a significant part of the community is concerned. While he does not condemn Jihad outright, he also does not endorse it, preferring to take a more liberal view. This is quite in keeping with his position and also a natural consequence of his company in professional and personal life.

Yet it is only natural that his perspective is affected by his birth and upbringing. He dismisses Emperor Akbar's shenanigan's thus: 'His visits to courtier's households, in fact, became a bit of a problem, thanks to a roving eye.' However, there is apparently nothing wrong in this, as Badayuni `sensibly' advised the aggrieved courtiers: 'Either do not befriend a mahout, or make the house large enough for the elephant'.

Such bemused tolerance on part of Shri Akbar naturally leads to a situation, where he finds Sir Jadunath Sirkar's negative comments about Siraj-ud-daulla's debauchery inexplicable. Shri Akbar attributes this to Sir Jadunath's dislike of Muslims, instead of attributing this to his traditional Hindu values of faithfulness in marriage. As a result, he approvingly quotes Ms. Jaya Chatterjee, who found that Sir Jadunath Sirkar 'denied Muslims a place in the history of modern India'.

It is on occasions like this that Shri Akbar's scholarship fails him, and his loyalty to his community shows through. Unfortunately, such lapses are not occasional, they run through the entire work, particularly when it comes to Hindu-Muslim interaction. For instance, he informs us that Islam spread in India through the Sufis, rather than through the sword. This is transparent deception at best -- there are only three sufi mazaars of significance in North India: Delhi, Ajmer and Agra. These cannot be used to wish away a historical truth. Further, Islam does not approve of many goings-on at these mazaars, as it comes close to what Islam denigrates as idol-worship. In overemphasizing the Sufi contribution, and to use Jaya Chatterjee's turn of phrase, Shri Akbar not only denies Hindus a place in the Indian history from 12th to 18th centuries, he also denies them the memory of their heroic resistance.

This does not make him less of a thinker. To my mind, it is extremely difficult for a person to deny his heritage and culture, when it comes to thinking or writing. People mostly think and write according to who they are. Shri Akbar is no exception to this rule, and you can't fault him for offering Islam the shade of his scholarship.

This bit of blemish on his scholarship notwithstanding, the book is quite readable, for its sweeping vision and for a better understanding of challenges facing Islam.

The author has interpreted Islamic history, particularly Islamic history in Indian , in a biased and stilted manner to bring it in line with the views he expresses in his editorials. His omissions are far too glaring for this book to give a reader a proper view of Islam's history or its interactions with other religions, especially in the Indian subcontinent, where the author is a highly influential journalist.

For instance, he devotes an entire chapter titled "Jihad as non-violence" on Gandhi's work with Muslims even mentioning one of his most trusted lieutenants, Abdul Gaffar Khan, also popularly known as the `Frontier Gandhi', who always remained a hero to his people in Pakhtunistan, a land that has now become infamous as a breeding place of terrorists and the most probable hideout of Osama Bin Laden. Similarly, he chronicles the growth of Jinnah's and the Muslim leagues power without mentioning Jinnah's `Direct Action' day, and the extremely gruesome atrocities committed by Muslims in order to mark it, an event considered by many to have directly led to the creation of Pakistan. The pattern of ommisions of high profile events coupled with many unsubstatiated statements (the book makes use of hardly any footnotes or references after the first chapter) ultimately paints a very baised picture of Islamic history.

The book also does not consider any Islamic society in any location other than the middle east and the Indian sub-continent. Africa, which contains the fastest growing Muslim population, South-East Asia, which contains the nation with the largest number of Muslims in the world (Indonesia), are largely excluded from this book.

This myopic view point coupled with glaring omissions, and a biased description, makes book, which could have been a fascinating exploration of what is a truly engrossing subject, into a narrative that would leave most readers, at best, misinformed.

Claiming that jihad was inspired by Crusader attacks is blaming the victim for the crime. The first Crusade was called by Pope Urban II in response to centuries of jihad against Christians.

As for Muhammad's "greater jihad," that's one hadith of questionable authority. Verse after verse of Qur'an, hadith after hadith, account after account of incidents in Muhammad's life show that when he referred to "struggle" ("jihad"), he meant imposing the authority of Islam on non-Muslims using any means necessary, including violence. (It seems no small coincidence that Muhammad's "struggle" parallels Hitler's "Mein Kampf" -- "my struggle.")

And suggesting that Muhammad had anything to with an "inner struggle against temptation to sin" is laughable. Muhammad commanded and practiced genocide, pedophilia, mutilation, torture, rape, slavery, theft, extortion, wife-beating, polygamy, religious and gender apartheid, deceit, and blasphemy, claiming "Allah made me do it, and you will too. Or else."

Tell the truth.

It's too bad that Amazon peddles the genocidal pedophile's propaganda.

The previous reviewer ought to study history and not just abstract philosophy. Islam may claim to be about peace, but so does Christianity. History tells a different story. Mohammed was a warlord and administrator of an empire. He established his religion at the Battle of Badr in 624, defeating the Meccans who had a rival local cult. By Mohammed's death, most of Arabia inland from the Red Sea plus Oman were under his control. Within a generation, what is now Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Libya had been conquered. Within a century, Muslim armies had overrun an area from the Hindu Kush to the Pyrenees. Islam was a new creed, so had to replace the faith of those who lived in the lands its soldiers conquered, and did so with a grinding power that has left little in the way of religious diversity. One can admire the energy the faith imparted to its followers, but they certainly weren't pacifists---nor have they become such.

Akbar's precise and concise narration of Islamic history with the use of simple language is a good read for anyone who has some sort of interest in Islam and Islamic History. It is one of the best books I have read in recent years on Islamic History. The book is simply enthralling cover to cover.

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.

It's hard not to incorporate some personal opinions into the issues, and hence biased. A wise reader should be able to form their own opinions without argreeing or disagreeing with everything in the book. Overall, the book very readale and has something to offer.

A captivating journey through 1500 years, which include a literary concise vision for the historical role of jihad. I recommend it for a screenplay. Defined the phases of Islamic civilization: rise, fall and renewal. Describe the role of jihad in preserving Islamic civilization. Minor deficiencies incldue: The author did not address the Mahdi army in Sudan and its struggle against the English colonization at the beginning of the 19th century as part of the movements that used Jihad to resist occupation. Apart from a couple of translation typos from Arabic "Sarat el mustaqin", the book language and translations are fine. Selected Quotations:
"Hasan I Sabbah, the Old Man of the Mountains, or the "assassin", who used hashish to control his followers. Two assassins entered the service of Marquis Conrad of Montferrat, King of Jerusalem in Tyer, as Christian monks, and after securing his complete confidence, killed him on 28 April 1192. It was 11 September of its time. Assassins made two attempts on the life of Saladin in 1174-5, 1176. However, the romance of the assassin withered when the Arab establishment protected the victories of Saladin. Having found Saladin, Muslims did not need terrorism, (p 195, 196)."

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.