The Truth About Muhammad Robert Spencer Pdf
There are many accounts here where the author misinterprets history. I just wish I had the time to answer all of your questions here.
He questions the There are many accounts here where the author misinterprets history. I just wish I had the time to answer all of your questions here.
He questions the existence of Muhammad, for example. Well, the Armenian chronicler, Saboes, wrote about Muhammad back in 660 AD, saying that “Muhammad was a merchant, and confirms the centrality of Abraham in his preaching.” Spencer questions the origins of the Quran and its existence. Well that is very easy argument for anyone to debunk as long as they look at the historical records. Pick up any Arabic Quran today and you can easily compare it to a 6th century Qurans that can be found in Turkey or Uzbekistan (surviving copies of the original scripts from the 3rd caliphate).
They match letter for letter. Here and like in many other instances Spenser writes out of hatred for Islam and ignores the facts. It is just not professional and it is unfair to history do destort it just because he is not comportable with it. What a shame I would say. Regarding the origins of Muhammad see: Cook, M. Muhammad (pp.
New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Regarding his personality and the Quran, see: Armstrong, K (2006).
Muhammad: A Prophet for our Time (pp. New York, NY: HarperOne. The last one is my favorite book!
Though often called a 'religion of peace,' the truth about Islam is quite the opposite, as is the truth about its founder, Muhammad. This book is no anti-Muslim screed, however; it takes its facts and ideas directly from Islamists themselves, from the Koran and the authoritative commentaries that have grown up around the holy book for over a milennia. Cut through the hype and the PR and go directly to the source: Muhammad was a robber, an unsuccessful proselytizer (couldn't convert the Jews, whi Though often called a 'religion of peace,' the truth about Islam is quite the opposite, as is the truth about its founder, Muhammad.
This book is no anti-Muslim screed, however; it takes its facts and ideas directly from Islamists themselves, from the Koran and the authoritative commentaries that have grown up around the holy book for over a milennia. Cut through the hype and the PR and go directly to the source: Muhammad was a robber, an unsuccessful proselytizer (couldn't convert the Jews, which is why he hated them), and married a nine-year-old girl! As if that weren't enough, the most disturbing fact about the Koran is the 'satanic verses' episode in which Muhammad believes he has received a revelation from God, only to discover later (upon introspection) that he had been deceived by Satan. (Which is why Rushdie's book of the same title resulted in such outrage from Muslims: he was rubbing their faces in the fallibility of their 'prophet' (blessings be upon him).
Read this book and make up your own mind. So after thousands of years we have Judaism with Abraham and Moses; Christianity with Jesus Christ; and Islam with Muhammad (may peace be upon him). The Jews, the Christians and the Muslims. They all believe that there is only one God. And it is the same God they believe in. Each group, however, considers its religion as the one true faith. The Jews do not consider Jesus as the Messiah they've been waiting for and consider Muhammad as a false prophet.
The Christians look down upon the Jews as the So after thousands of years we have Judaism with Abraham and Moses; Christianity with Jesus Christ; and Islam with Muhammad (may peace be upon him). The Jews, the Christians and the Muslims. They all believe that there is only one God. And it is the same God they believe in. Each group, however, considers its religion as the one true faith. The Jews do not consider Jesus as the Messiah they've been waiting for and consider Muhammad as a false prophet. The Christians look down upon the Jews as their old, clueless brothers and the Muslim faith as an aberration of history.
The Muslims call the other two as infidels. They all have had this sordid past of killing each other in the name of the same God which they happen to worship differently.
This book was the very first one I've read about the life and times of Muhammad whereas I knew already, more or less, the life stories of Abraham, Moses and Jesus. But I noticed one striking similarity among these four great religious figures: they all claimed to had had direct communications with God, either conversing with the latter or his angels or receiving so-called revelations. From what God supposedly declared via their privileged status sprang the do's and don't's, the practices and theology of their respective systems of belief. It was fascinating to read this book and 'Mohammed: A Prophet for our time' together, as they are written from two completely different perspectives on Mohammed. Spencer portrays a Mohammed that has inspired generations of hate, intolerance, and violence, while Armstrong portrays somebody with the attributes of Jesus. I found them both biased, and I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle of the two opinions, but it was refreshing to hear somebody who wasn't scared to death to be politicall It was fascinating to read this book and 'Mohammed: A Prophet for our time' together, as they are written from two completely different perspectives on Mohammed. Spencer portrays a Mohammed that has inspired generations of hate, intolerance, and violence, while Armstrong portrays somebody with the attributes of Jesus.
I found them both biased, and I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle of the two opinions, but it was refreshing to hear somebody who wasn't scared to death to be politically correct. At times it didn't seem possible that the two authors were talking about the same person. I think most of the difference was in what stories they told and what stories they didn't tell.
Armstrong's book is filled with tales of Mohammed's compassion and how he treated his followers, while Spencer's book is concerned with stories of his battles, his punishments, and his vengeance. At times I thought Spencer was inflammatory and unfair, but there were many times that Armstrong glossed over or dismissed truly worrying episodes in Mohammed's life. Reading either one of these books individually I would give two stars, but reading them together makes the overall experience worthy of three. There is the glamorous image of Mohammed, and that you will find in a plethora of books promoted by American universities so that people might sound politically correct. And there is the real picture of Mohammed as I used to follow him since he used to be my prophet till I was just turning twenty years old.
I was blindly following Islam and never questioned a thing for fear of being punished, persecuted or even killed. But the truth is the truth: Islam is a religion of terror and Mohammed is a m There is the glamorous image of Mohammed, and that you will find in a plethora of books promoted by American universities so that people might sound politically correct. And there is the real picture of Mohammed as I used to follow him since he used to be my prophet till I was just turning twenty years old. I was blindly following Islam and never questioned a thing for fear of being punished, persecuted or even killed. But the truth is the truth: Islam is a religion of terror and Mohammed is a man of terror. There is a striking similarity between Nazism and Islam, so much so that Islam should pass rather for an ideology, not a religion.
Mohammed was rejected by his own people, became angry, started a religion, a hodgepodge of everything in Arabia at the time, and the rest is history. His devout followers would be made likewise in his image: feeling persecuted by everybody, feeling hated by everybody, a martyr’s complex, and full of anger. It turns out that Mohammed is really another persona of Allah himself: Allah is the superego of Mohammad and Mohammed made God in his own image.
If you think Muhammed was a man of peace, a man to be admired, and a man to be imitated, you need to read up on him. Muhammed was none of these things. The historical record is very clear. He was a man of violence, expediency, and is a man worthy of disdain.
This is a good extended introduction to Muhammed and Islam. For the most part Spencer avoids value judgments on the truthfulness of Islam, instead focusing on the ethics of Muhammed and his followers. With regard to these, he is very harsh, If you think Muhammed was a man of peace, a man to be admired, and a man to be imitated, you need to read up on him. Muhammed was none of these things. The historical record is very clear.
He was a man of violence, expediency, and is a man worthy of disdain. This is a good extended introduction to Muhammed and Islam. For the most part Spencer avoids value judgments on the truthfulness of Islam, instead focusing on the ethics of Muhammed and his followers. With regard to these, he is very harsh, and justifiably so. Like his book The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Islam (and the Crusades) it is packed with facts, the conclusions to draw are your own. These are largely quotes and accounts from the Quran, Sura, and hadith.
The book is largely a fascinating and reasonably brief historical account of the life of Muhammad. As a Protestant Westerner and minor history buff, I enjoyed it and felt educated by it! I was enthralled enough to listen to the 7 hour book within a single 24-hr period. Spencer sticks to Like his book The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Islam (and the Crusades) it is packed with facts, the conclusions to draw are your own.
These are largely quotes and accounts from the Quran, Sura, and hadith. The book is largely a fascinating and reasonably brief historical account of the life of Muhammad. As a Protestant Westerner and minor history buff, I enjoyed it and felt educated by it! I was enthralled enough to listen to the 7 hour book within a single 24-hr period. Spencer sticks to the facts throughout and lets them speak for themselves. Only in the final chapter does he coalesce the various points presented and apply them to our modern world.
Is 7th century Muhammad a bad example for conduct in the 21st century? (My question.) Read listen and decide for yourself. I highly recommend this book. First of all, let me get one thing straight. I consider myself a Muslim turned agnostic/atheist.
That said, I found this book to be more thinly disguised Islamophobic propaganda rather than solid facts. I tried to approach this book with an open mind. But, the thing is, the passages of the Qur'an are explained out of context rather than in their given place, which I believe is the wrong way to attack a religion. You should attack something within the context of which it is written, which the aut First of all, let me get one thing straight. I consider myself a Muslim turned agnostic/atheist. That said, I found this book to be more thinly disguised Islamophobic propaganda rather than solid facts. I tried to approach this book with an open mind.
But, the thing is, the passages of the Qur'an are explained out of context rather than in their given place, which I believe is the wrong way to attack a religion. You should attack something within the context of which it is written, which the author clearly fails to do. This book would have been better had it done that. Some reviewers have called this book a polemic, but I found it rather dry and academic. Spencer goes into a great deal of detail about the Arabic sources on the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The three main sources are the Qur'an, the Hadith (traditions and commentary) and the Sira (biography of Muhammad). Muhammad was born in 570 A.D.
His full name was Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn And al-Muttalib. Muhammad's tribe was the Quraysh. Mecca was their main city. Their local shrine was the Ka'bah. Muhamm Some reviewers have called this book a polemic, but I found it rather dry and academic.
The Truth About Muhammad Pdf
Spencer goes into a great deal of detail about the Arabic sources on the life of the Prophet Muhammad. The three main sources are the Qur'an, the Hadith (traditions and commentary) and the Sira (biography of Muhammad). Muhammad was born in 570 A.D. His full name was Muhammad ibn Abdallah ibn And al-Muttalib. Muhammad's tribe was the Quraysh. Mecca was their main city. Their local shrine was the Ka'bah.
Muhammad was the first person to unite all the tribes of Arabia, and the first to convert the Arabs from their traditional polytheistic religions to a monotheistic religion. Muhammad first tried to peacefully persuade his Arab tribe in Mecca, the Quraysh, to convert to Islam. They refused. He left Mecca and moved to Medina. The Muslims call this journey the Hijra.
Medina was a Jewish city at the time, called Yathrib. The three main Jewish tribes in Medina were the Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayzah. Muhammad tried to peacefully persuade the Jews in Medina to convert to Islam. They also refused. So then he mounted an army, attacked Mecca, and forced the Arabs there to convert to Islam. Wow, after reading this one-sided muckraking, one may wonder how anybody can revere this Muhammad.
('One-sided' because the opinions are basically only the author's and 'muckraking' because the author's stated premise is that the worst historical facts about Muhammad can and should guide American policy.) While there can be benefit from raking the muck of Muhammad's martinet side (and why not The Crusades and Inquisition, too?), the author is not seeking a balanced view. I don't have any reason Wow, after reading this one-sided muckraking, one may wonder how anybody can revere this Muhammad. ('One-sided' because the opinions are basically only the author's and 'muckraking' because the author's stated premise is that the worst historical facts about Muhammad can and should guide American policy.) While there can be benefit from raking the muck of Muhammad's martinet side (and why not The Crusades and Inquisition, too?), the author is not seeking a balanced view.
I don't have any reason to disagree with any of his historical observations. I only disagree with his conclusions, such as that 'Islam is peace' is a 'mantra that controls American policy.' I think many Muslim families would also disagree with that assessment. However, drama aside, it basically suggests Islam as a religion can serve as a basis for a culture that can condone religious persecution and some abuse.
As a textbook for Islamophobia I give it an A+, but it doesn't jive with the reality of a religion held by so many worldwide with most of them being decent people. Look at the reviews below that rate this less than three stars. They don't even comment on the content and references sited. I was very impressed with how meticulously the author referenced assertions and claims that would understandably upset those that follow Muhammad. No matter what side of the fence you are on before reading this book or listening to the CD version, truth is truth, and this author can't change truth. Do the research and be informed.
A fantastic read and listen! AN ABSOLUTE M Look at the reviews below that rate this less than three stars. They don't even comment on the content and references sited. I was very impressed with how meticulously the author referenced assertions and claims that would understandably upset those that follow Muhammad. No matter what side of the fence you are on before reading this book or listening to the CD version, truth is truth, and this author can't change truth. Do the research and be informed.
A fantastic read and listen! AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ FOR THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT THE WESTERN WORLD. I also liked 'The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam and the Crusades'.
I found this book to be well written, well researched, and factual. As a non-Muslim, I fully anticipated others degrading the author's words, but I have been independently studying islam now for several years and there was little presented that I had not come across on my own whether in hadiths or in the Quran. My experience has been that most people will turn a blind eye or adamantly deny the truth of Islam. It is not Islamophobia to be educated and know the teachings of Islam. I would highly r I found this book to be well written, well researched, and factual. As a non-Muslim, I fully anticipated others degrading the author's words, but I have been independently studying islam now for several years and there was little presented that I had not come across on my own whether in hadiths or in the Quran.
My experience has been that most people will turn a blind eye or adamantly deny the truth of Islam. It is not Islamophobia to be educated and know the teachings of Islam. I would highly recommend the book. To know is to be fore-warned. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. This is NOT an easy thing to listen to. Sobering, insightful, and necessary for anyone who values Western culture and the global threats it faces.
In The Truth about Muhammad, New York Times best-selling author and Islam expert Robert Spencer offers an honest and telling portrait of the founder of Islam - perhaps the first such portrait in half a century - unbounded by fear and political correctness, unflinching, and willing t To know is to be fore-warned. To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. This is NOT an easy thing to listen to. Sobering, insightful, and necessary for anyone who values Western culture and the global threats it faces. In The Truth about Muhammad, New York Times best-selling author and Islam expert Robert Spencer offers an honest and telling portrait of the founder of Islam - perhaps the first such portrait in half a century - unbounded by fear and political correctness, unflinching, and willing to face the hard facts about Muhammad's life that continue to affect our world today.
Spencer details Muhammad's development from a preacher of hellfire and damnation into a political and military leader who expanded his rule by force of arms, promising his warriors luridly physical delights in Paradise if they were killed in his cause. In the current political scenario, this book is a perfect fit. Everyday we hear apologists defending terrorists and the general backward behaviour of these people. I would urge them to read this and understand how fundamental these principles are in Islam. This writing is well backed up by verses from the Quran and teachings from the Hadith. What I really liked about the book is that it doesn't read like it is filled with personal hate against Islam but it is a proper factual look at Mohammed's In the current political scenario, this book is a perfect fit.
Everyday we hear apologists defending terrorists and the general backward behaviour of these people. I would urge them to read this and understand how fundamental these principles are in Islam. This writing is well backed up by verses from the Quran and teachings from the Hadith. What I really liked about the book is that it doesn't read like it is filled with personal hate against Islam but it is a proper factual look at Mohammed's life and prophetic career. A truly enlightening book written by Robert Spencer. I appreciate this book because he addresses all the goods and bads of Muhammad's ministry. The controversial aspects to Muhammad's time on Earth were intriguing because it seems like the type of things Muslims would (and do) try to cover up.
Yet, Spencer points out how real even these gritty details are because even the Pro-Muhammad historians have to at least acknowledge their existence if they are going to paint over or fudge the details. Hi A truly enlightening book written by Robert Spencer. I appreciate this book because he addresses all the goods and bads of Muhammad's ministry. The controversial aspects to Muhammad's time on Earth were intriguing because it seems like the type of things Muslims would (and do) try to cover up. Yet, Spencer points out how real even these gritty details are because even the Pro-Muhammad historians have to at least acknowledge their existence if they are going to paint over or fudge the details.
His coverage of the fiasco of the Satanic Verses was my favorite part of the book. His conclusions regarding the Satanic verses incident are also hold a lot of truth to them, but I won't spoil them. The reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 were some things that did come across as low blows in what may be seen as a personal attack on Islam. He criticizes Islam over certain historical facts that someone can turn around and give to Mr.
Spencer (a self-proclaimed Eastern Catholic) over historical details in Christianity. They don't really work when attacking Christianity, and it is clear they don't seem to work with Islam either. Robert Spencer is very passionate in what he does, but it is clear he is not an Islamophobe.
He treats the subject very respectfully, albeit boldly. The end of the book that sums up the negative aspects of Muhammad is also treated very respectfully.
Given that Mr. Spencer puts his life on the line to talk about Islam, it is surprising that he maintains such a cool head when discussing these matters intellectually. One final thing that I agree with him involving his writing both this book and his other book 'Did Muhammad Exist?' - he wrote both of these books to see if it could be done.
He wanted to approach Muhammad and Islam from a similar historical criticism approach that secular scholars do to Christianity. He wanted to see if society, as well as Muslims around the world, would tolerate a scholarly approach towards Islam without resorting to hatred, violence, and retribution- but also that the conversation could continue. It doesn't seem like too many people are eager to join in Robert Spencer's conversations, and one can understand why. Yet, this is still early in the conversation that Mr.
Spencer is revving up. I hope everyone can keep their heads cool and read this book as an intellectual investigation. One doesn't have to come to the same conclusions Mr. Spencer does, but at least by reading this they can come to a better reason as to why they disagree. All in all, a great read. When it comes to religion every one is weird from an outsiders prospective.
The Romans thought that the early Christians were incestuous cannibals (eating the flesh of their lord, drinking his blood, and calling each other brother and sister while being husband and wife). Islam is no different. What I liked about this book is that it doesn't whitewash some of whats said in The Qur'an or Muhammad's later actions in the Medina period. What I didn't like is that it makes it hard to look at early Mu When it comes to religion every one is weird from an outsiders prospective.
The Romans thought that the early Christians were incestuous cannibals (eating the flesh of their lord, drinking his blood, and calling each other brother and sister while being husband and wife). Islam is no different. What I liked about this book is that it doesn't whitewash some of whats said in The Qur'an or Muhammad's later actions in the Medina period.
What I didn't like is that it makes it hard to look at early Muslim history in the same light as I once did. When it comes to Muhammad he reminds me in ways of Joseph Smith, another controversial religious figure.
I think both thought they started out thinking they were on the right path and both were but then they went astray. In Muhammad's case it seems after his first wife died he didn't have her to reel him in. If you read the Mecca portions of his revelations VS the Medina period you will see a dramatic shift from Abrahamic monotheism to localized events dealing in warfare. In ways I think Muhammad wanted to be accepted by his tribe and also the Jews of Arabia and was rejected by both thus setting him off on Holy War. I know Muhammad was just a man and fallible. Muslims believe he is a model to live up to.
This idea seems difficult when bringing 7th century morals and standards into the 21st. As a non-Muslim I see no reason not to modernize but as I said, I am not a Muslim and don't have that life experience. In the end through I do believe in my heart of hearts that most Muslims are good people. Right now the religion is going through a turbulent period much like Christianity did. Islam has given us some of the greatest buildings in history, saved Plato from the dustbin, and kept the light of learning going why Europe was stuck in the Dark Ages.
It cannot be an all bad religion if it has survived this long. I really hope Islam can come to terms with itself. If not it might self destruct. One of my best friends is a Muslim and he will always be my friend regardless of how I feel about his faith. Faith is just one aspect of every human and not the complete package.
A quick aside: in high school a good friend of mine picked up the Koran on a whim and would carry it throughout the school day (more for show than actually reading it) and no one batted an eye. (This was the late 80’s – long before the insanity that’s besieged the world for the last almost-twenty years now.) But when I started reading this book I knew I’d never feel comfortable carrying it around on a train or bus and it could prove dangerous (to my own health and well-being). So I opted to read A quick aside: in high school a good friend of mine picked up the Koran on a whim and would carry it throughout the school day (more for show than actually reading it) and no one batted an eye. (This was the late 80’s – long before the insanity that’s besieged the world for the last almost-twenty years now.) But when I started reading this book I knew I’d never feel comfortable carrying it around on a train or bus and it could prove dangerous (to my own health and well-being). So I opted to read it in the safety of my own home and it was rather informative but dry and boring a lot of the times (so many similar names of early followers and warriors/victims didn't help matters). It's well-researched and even-keeled (at least until the last chapter where the author finally takes the gloves off).
Yes, of course it has an agenda - but what doesn't? It wasn't planned but at the same time I was reading this book (about the man who created one of the major world religions) I was also re-reading 'Footprints of Gautama the Buddha' (about a man who created one of the other major world religions a thousand years before Islam) and it's really sad even so early in history we were already going backwards and could be so vicious and vile towards each other. Throughout reading the book I kept thinking about a great segment on 60 Minutes from years ago which shows a surviving relic that was written (and 'signed' with a handprint) by Mohammad to be cool with Christians. If we could only just be cool with each other.
Overall, this is a good book to refer those who call Islam 'the religion of peace' to. The assumption that Islam is inherently peaceful and the jihadists use a peculiar interpretation of it is clearly baseless. This book shows this using the most credible resources available. In fact, there is not even room for discussion as the facts are clear and the claims that apologists make, such as that Islam respects women's rights, are simply absurd and only good for their unaware audience.
Unfortunatel Overall, this is a good book to refer those who call Islam 'the religion of peace' to. The assumption that Islam is inherently peaceful and the jihadists use a peculiar interpretation of it is clearly baseless. This book shows this using the most credible resources available. In fact, there is not even room for discussion as the facts are clear and the claims that apologists make, such as that Islam respects women's rights, are simply absurd and only good for their unaware audience.
Unfortunately the author is not always partial and some prejudice is felt throughout the book. For example, using deceit against enemies by Muhammad is (perhaps implicitly) rebuked, whereas even according to 21st century standards this is considered acceptable by many. Some topics deserved more attention, e.g. Shia Muslims believe Muhammad chose Ali as his successor and it would have been a good idea to look at that claim and the respective tales told by Shias from a historical perspective.
However increasing the volume of the book could have scared some readers away. As a final point, even though this book is aimed mainly at Westerners, it is even more important for Muslims to become aware of these facts and face the undeniable reality.
Unfortunately many Muslims choose to live in ignorance instead - of course that attitude and the fear of learning about the truth have their roots in Islam's teachings themselves. What a load of crap! This guy's 'facts' must have come straight from Fox News.they are grossly distorted and misinterpreted. It's obvious he doesn't know any muslims nor has he read the Qur'an. He can't even reference the Qur'an correctly and his translations and selective use of ayats (verses) while excluding others is irresponsible.
Spencer's motivation in writing this book and connections with AIPAC becomes evident the more I read. He makes his living by spreading hatred and misinformation What a load of crap!
This guy's 'facts' must have come straight from Fox News.they are grossly distorted and misinterpreted. It's obvious he doesn't know any muslims nor has he read the Qur'an. He can't even reference the Qur'an correctly and his translations and selective use of ayats (verses) while excluding others is irresponsible.
Spencer's motivation in writing this book and connections with AIPAC becomes evident the more I read. He makes his living by spreading hatred and misinformation. Spencer had better hope that God isn't real regardless of the chosen faith or he will have much to answer for. Make him get a real job by NOT purchasing this book! Like many people after 9/11, I started a path of discovery into the religion of peace sic; and found that peace is only for the believer of Islam. Anyway, I digress.
I recommend, anyone looking to venture down the path of Islamic discovery to read this book; not as a study guide to end all study guides, but to give yourself an idea of the root system of this ideology. Unlike the apologists within Islam, this book outlines the relationship Muhammad had with, not only his own tribe but how he fo Like many people after 9/11, I started a path of discovery into the religion of peace sic; and found that peace is only for the believer of Islam. Anyway, I digress. I recommend, anyone looking to venture down the path of Islamic discovery to read this book; not as a study guide to end all study guides, but to give yourself an idea of the root system of this ideology. Unlike the apologists within Islam, this book outlines the relationship Muhammad had with, not only his own tribe but how he forced his way through Arabia.
It also starts to paint a humorous picture of how it seemed whenever something or someone approached Muhammad on a matter, he somehow received the right message at the next moment from Allah, which always leaned in his favor. It's also interesting how-once you read the Quran and this book-that Muhammad's messages appear to be plagiaristic in nature to that of the Torah and Christian Bible; of course, always benefiting Muhammad in the end. The Truth About Muhammad, by Robert Spencer.
I think it's important to say from the outset, because it's the truth, that most Muslim's do not support violent extremism, and most, regardless of what violent and barbaric acts their founder may or may not have done, and regardless of what violent teachings and misogyny can be found in the Koran, the Hadith and Sharia Law, most Muslim's practise their spiritual tradition peacefully and are NOT Islamists ('Islamist' meaning: those who wish to see Isl The Truth About Muhammad, by Robert Spencer. I think it's important to say from the outset, because it's the truth, that most Muslim's do not support violent extremism, and most, regardless of what violent and barbaric acts their founder may or may not have done, and regardless of what violent teachings and misogyny can be found in the Koran, the Hadith and Sharia Law, most Muslim's practise their spiritual tradition peacefully and are NOT Islamists ('Islamist' meaning: those who wish to see Islam spread across the globe, creating a global Islamic empire). However, we live in a time where there are some Muslims - violent Islamists - who are indeed waging Jihad. And, just as troubling, there was a poll done by the BBC which showed that up to 27% of Muslims in England sympathised with the Charlie Hebdo murderers, and another 10% wouldn't say. Adding to this, I started to find in my research that there are longstanding human rights issues toward women in countries under Sharia Law (Muslim Law).
There are also so many people saying, 'Islam is a religion of peace' and also that: the Koran doesn't push violence at all. It was because of all of this, that I very much wanted to look into Islam and develop my own understanding about these issues. And ever since I decided this was what I wanted to do, I've been trying to find some good sources of information (with good use of citations) to use for relevant exploration.
Well, this book is definitely one of those sources. 'The Truth About Muhammad' by Robert Spencer is intelligent and bravely uncompromising in its pursuit of an honest portrait of Islam's founder. Noted, it is quite critical in its approach (I didn't give it five starts because it lacked any real emphasis of noble things Muhammad did), but I can totally see why the author deems it necessary to write a book that takes a critically honest look at who, according to Muslim sources, Muhhamad really was.
One reason being, myriad practising Muslims, according to this book, see Muhammad as a 'perfect human' to be emulated across all time. That's a problem when you have a guy - Muhammad - who according to Muslim sources, was indeed violent, was indeed waging Jihad against 'disbelievers', and was an advocate for what today would most definitely be called, domestic violence and arguably rape as well. Also, I feel this book is important, because there seems to me to be lot of pressure to conform to this idea that 'Islam is a religion of peace', and that Muhammad was a peaceful, merciful and kind man. And I for one do not believe that pushing this idea, if it is not true, is the best way to navigate the issues we all face at the moment with all this hatred, killing and intolerance on multiple fronts. The truth, even when it may be inconvenient, is the best avenue in my opinion; as long as it is is accompanied with respect, love, empathy and compassion.
About the sources Spencer uses: All the sources Robert Spencer uses are Muslim ones. And he is extremely transparent from the outset about exactly which Muslim sources he has used to write his book, and explains too how most practising Muslim's would view these sources of information, when it comes to their believed historical accuracy. This is important, because what Spencer has tried to offer by way of this book, is not always what is most historically accurate, but what Muslim's believe to be historically accurate. Because as Spencer points out, Muhammad is seen as a 'perfect man' and so should be looked to as a perfect example of how to behave. Countless citations are on offer too so the reader can check out for themselves the original texts (Ive done this a lot, it all check out so far).
Robert Spencer analyses Islam, and the life of Muhammid with the sophistication of a scholar and should be praised for the intelligence he brings to exploring the scriptural roots of this religion and the possible impact said documents have on the behaviour of it's followers. I noticed someone who gave this book a 'one star' review, say that Spencer takes violent parts of Muslim scripture out of context. That just isn't the case. For example, with the Battle of Badr, Spencer explains that when Muhammad said 'I will strike terror into the hearts of the disbelievers. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off all of their fingertips' (Koran: 8:12) he was talking about a specific army of polytheists on their way to try and wipe out the Muslims, and so was not talking about all 'disbelievers' period (unfortunately it does seem that in other pieces at other times, he was) He also says that in context of the time and place in history, fighting, killing and taking slaves as spoils of war as Muhammad did, was not out of the ordinary or really particularly barbaric. But, he goes onto say what I have shared a few times already in this review, that the issue is that myriad Muslim's view Muhammad as a perfect human being who's actions are always righteous and also timeless, and so he should be emulated now as he acted then.
So, is Islam a religion of peace? Well, if you are going off of the aforementioned texts, then no, definitely not.
But if you're going off of how many Muslim's are violent, then it's peaceful by and large for sure. That said, I feel, due to the violence that has happened in the name of Islam, and that it appears to been the increase, that there needs to be some changes within this faith - at least in certain countries and communities - regarding issues of: misogyny, freedom of speech and radicalisation. ROBERT SPENCER is the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and the author of seventeen books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. His latest book is The Complete Infidel’s Guide to Free Speech (and Its Enemies).
Coming in November 2017 is Confessions of an Islamophobe ROBERT SPENCER is the director of Jihad Watch, a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and the author of seventeen books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. His latest book is The Complete Infidel’s Guide to Free Speech (and Its Enemies). Coming in November 2017 is Confessions of an Islamophobe (Bombardier Books). Spencer has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the FBI, the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S.
Truth About Muhammad And Islam
Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Justice Department’s Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council and the U.S. Intelligence community. He has discussed jihad, Islam, and terrorism at a workshop sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the German Foreign Ministry. He is a consultant with the Center for Security Policy. Spencer is a weekly columnist for PJ Media and FrontPage Magazine, and has written many hundreds of articles about jihad and Islamic terrorism. His articles on Islam and other topics have appeared in the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Examiner, the New York Post, the Washington Times, the Dallas Morning News, Fox News Opinion, National Review, The Hill, the Detroit News, TownHall.com, Real Clear Religion, the Daily Caller, the New Criterion, the Journal of International Security Affairs, the UK’s Guardian, Canada’s National Post, Middle East Quarterly, WorldNet Daily, First Things, Insight in the News, Aleteia, and many other journals.
The Truth About Muhammad Review
For nearly ten years Spencer wrote the weekly Jihad Watch column at Human Events. He has also served as a contributing writer to the Investigative Project on Terrorism and as an Adjunct Fellow with the Free Congress Foundation.