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

by M.J. Akbar

Book Overview

The Shade of Swords is the first cohesive history of Jihad, written by one of India's leading journalists and writers. In this paperback edition, updated to show how and why Saddam Hussein repositioned himself as a Jihadi against America, M.J. Akbar explains the struggle between Islam and Christianity. Placing recent events in a historical context, he tackles the tricky question of what now for Jihad following the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415328144
• ISBN13: 9780415328142
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 364 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

A good tour of Islam

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

Good work!

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 screenplay

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)."

Jihad in India

M. J. Akbar's book should be an inspiring reading for those who want to start jihad, especially Indian Muslims. It is a must reading for those Islamists who want a quick way to heavens.

Ink of a Scholar is Holy than the blood of Martyr!!!

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