Islam: (A Book)
Author: Alfred Guillaume
Publishers: Penguin Books, Edinburgh, 1954
Pages: 206
Alfred Guillaume, the learned translator
of Sirah Ibn Ishaq, one of the oldest known biographies of the Holy
Prophet (sws), is the author of the book under review. The book is written
specifically for western readers without delving into the intricacies of
the issues that the great religion encompasses. In this sense, it is an
admirable endeavor to introduce the western reader to the essential background
of the emergence of Islam and to the initiation of modern reforms in some
Muslim states.
The writer begins with a brief but
concise and cogent historical background of Arabia discussing the major
religions to which the people of those days adhered. He then goes on to
give a brief objective account of the Prophet’s life drawn from his biography.
His assertion is that the ‘hagiological legends’, as he calls them, have
no historical backing and the Prophet (sws) himself expressly disclaimed
any miraculous powers. How far this assertion is correct is a matter of
argument; the point, however, is that the writer, even after ignoring the
‘legendary claims’, holds that the Prophet (sws) stands out as one of the
great figures of history. He lauds his tenacity and amazing ability of
winning men’s hearts by persuasion. He gives more credence to those traditions
that go far to explain, when taken with his generosity and kindness, why
men loved him.
In the chapter regarding the Holy
Qur’an, the writer elucidates the process of collection of the Qur’an
and in a feeble manner criticises the Islamic doctrine of the infallibility
of the Qur’an. He presents some Ahadith on the authority
of early Arab writers, which, if accepted, jeopardises the belief that
the Qur’an is an unalterable reproduction of the words of the Prophet
(sws). But with that he acknowledges that the Qur’an is one of the
world’s classics with a cadence that charms the ear. He affirms that the
language is so eloquent and the choice of epithets so exquisite and felicitous
that within the literature of the Arabs, wide and fecund as it is both
in poetry and in prose, there is nothing to compare with it. He then gives
an account of the teachings of Islam as enshrined in the Qur’an and
in the briefest possible terms, the moral basis of Islam.
Highlighting the major parts of the
historical Islamic Empire, the book discusses the apostolic tradition (Hadith)
and the elevated four schools of Islamic thought. This chapter raises some
thought provoking questions and one has to commend the analytical ability
of the writer. While discussing the principles of criticism in the collection
of the Hadith literature, he, after appreciating the collectors’
efforts, writes:
Unfortunately they directed their attention not so much
towards the probability of the tradition, or to current practice based
on precedent demonstrably early, as to the character of the reporters and
the circumstances of their lives. (Islam, Alfred Guillaume, 1st ed., [Edinburgh:
Penguin Books Ltd), p. 90]
He traces the reasons of splitting up
of the Muslims into various sects and their main differences. A pertinent
discussion is on the philosophy and the genesis of the creeds, and in this
regard Ghazali’s revival of religious sciences is well quoted. The
writer has all the praise for mysticism and asceticism and he speaks highly
of Sufis and their remarkable powers. He considers it a sublime subject
and extols its virtues mentioning the honour Islam has of having the richest
and most variegated literature on it.
In the end, he is critical of the
orthodox beliefs, and favours the scholars with a progressive and rationalistic
approach. He gives a very enlightening over view of the ideas of some scholars
vis-à-vis Hadith and raises some questions worthy of contemplation.
He also traces the modern reforms that have taken place in some Muslim
countries and envisages a favourable outcome.
Almost fifty years have elapsed since
the book was written. Many views of the writer are debatable and some have
not been able to stand the test of time. Continuous and dedicated research
has established certain facts and discredited others beyond doubt. The
task of separating the sacred from the profane is a mammoth one, and only
the prejudiced can deny that Islam has produced, and still produces, men
of the highest character and integrity. These are the people who have undertaken
this task and it is hoped that those who have failed to remain true to
their obligations, which the Almighty enjoins, will soon realize their
laxness. The book is a good source of introduction to Islam but in order
to do justice to the great religion, several issues need to be explored
more deeply. To be more eloquent, I would quote his own words of wisdom:
Nothing can be more misleading than a number of general
statements based on imperfect and incomplete knowledge, and no man living
has a thorough acquaintance with the millions of Muslims in Asia and Africa,
to say nothing of scattered communities elsewhere, so that he can make
authoritative pronouncements on Islam as a whole. (Islam, Alfred Guillaume,
1st ed., [Edinburgh: Penguin Books Ltd), p. 153]
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