The Early Hours

by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

Set in the dramatic last days of the Ottoman Empire, this novel of love and bloodshed depicts a world trapped between Islam and the modern age. Camruddin is a simple Macedonian soldier caught up in the Young Turk conspiracy to overthrow the Sultan. A romance with a girl from a Pasha s harem presents him with a desperate to join the Jihad in the Balkan hills, or to enjoy his love and the patronage of a high Imperial official. The collapse of old Turkey, amid intimations of the birth of a new nation, is brilliantly depicted, as the humour and good-natured nobility of the Ottoman establishment totters under the hammer-blows of invasion and internal revolt.

Genres: Fiction, Islam, Historical Fiction, Literature

270 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall (born Marmaduke William Pickthall, 7 April 1875 – 19 May 1936) was a Western Islamic scholar noted for his English translation of the Qur'an. A convert from Christianity, Pickthall was a novelist, esteemed by D. H. Lawrence, H. G. Wells, and E. M. Forster, as well as a journalist, headmaster, and political and religious leader. He declared his conversion to Islam in dramatic fashion after delivering a talk on ‘Islam and Progress' on 29 November 1917, to the Muslim Literary Society in Notting Hill, West London. He was also involved with the services of the Woking Muslim Mission in the absence of Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din, its founder.

Reviews

[آية · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows a Muslim Macedonian soldier during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, when there was a lot of internal revolutionary struggle as well as international conflicts with Greece, Russia, and England. Although I appreciated a glimpse into this turbulent time period, and although I liked Camruddin as a protagonist, I was sometimes lost with all the politics that were thrust into the story without any background information. The characters in general could’ve used more depth, I think, but they did have a decent share of perks and arcs. I just would’ve liked to have felt more connected with them, to understand their thoughts and feelings and circumstances better. Pickthall does well explaining his own feelings and contexts when writing nonfiction, but it doesn’t translate well in his fiction I think.

Also there were a few weird comments/depictions about women that made them look completely silly and seemed to imply that they should not be involved in politics and just listen to their husbands' opinions lol. Maybe this was just the culture in Istanbul at the time. I can probably overlook it since there were some very brave/wise women characters whom I liked.

But yeah...I'd recommend it if you want to learn about some of the events that led to the dissolvement of the Ottoman Empire. I definitely appreciated the pro-Muslim and anti-European stance that this European Muslim author gave :)

[Naz Hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel harking to a time long gone. Pickthall depicts the lives of men and women in a dying empire. He illustrates the fiercely sincere Muslim spirit, and its struggle for self-improvement in the upright and simple Camruddin. The novel is an insight into changing times - as old values are slowly obscured in place of the new. It is a brilliant portrait of the Muslim world in crisis, of a long forgotten Turkey and of the intertwining, complicated, cultural and political relationships found in the Balkans. It is also a novel of love, betrayal and bloodshed.

I wish there were more novels like this, I really do. If you want to take the plunge, do beware a general idea of the end of the Ottoman era is required.

Pickthall truly is a lost, British treasure. A contemporary of HG Wells, EM Froster (who evidently based his 'Passage to India' on Pickthall's life) and one of the most popular novelist and social critics of his time, his work deserves to be rediscovered and encouraged. Read this. I would venture to say this is his finest after 'Said the Fisherman'.

[Alia Salleh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This historical fiction is a nice introduction to Ottoman history from the perspective of the main character, a pious young Macedonian Muslim and Ottoman subject, Camruddin. It narrates the journey he took as he joined the campaigns and the revolts that erupt from both sides in the Ottoman realm. This is where I had to restrain my ratings: with it being a historical fiction, for someone with limited knowledge in Ottoman history the events can be confusing as I try to figure out if one event is wholly fictional or based closely on an actual occurrence. I was trying too hard; partly because it is quite opinionated and seeing how Pickthall is for the Young Turks (but in a non-absolute, complex way, and perhaps later regretting it), it would be interesting to see the view from that side. Some things make sense, such as the in-passing explanation of the Armenian cleansing, but as it is not clear whether it is just an idealistic defensive view of it or pure fact, I continue to squirm in my seat.

To avoid squirming and over-analysing to discern fiction and fact, take it as a pure fiction best used to understand the typical Ottoman characters and attitude (especially their constant need to be approved by the West, and the dilemma in that). And of course, Pickthall's amazing descriptive narration skill.

(A plus is Abdul Hakim Murad's foreword of Marmaduke Pickthall's life. Good stuff.)

[Bilaal Takoliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful ending

[Hamaad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first heard of this novel through Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad's Winter Reading List from 2021, and recall being surprised at Pickthall being a novelist by profession rather than just being known as one of the most notable translators of the Quran in English. This was a work in which the Shaykh referred to as "the great Muslim novel". The subject matter of the novel intrigued me, so I anticipated diving into it.

The Early Hours is an interesting narrative. It is very evident that Pickthall excels as a novelist, with beautiful descriptions of Macedonian nature and generally well-written prose. Following Camruddin, a young Ottoman Soldier during the Empire's dying days, in his expeditions and missions was intriguing, as we see a young village boy walking into large cities being forced into meetings with important men and partaking in Jihad in one of the most important moments in Islamic history. We also get to see his struggles with balancing his military expeditions with his marriage life, as well as his political allegiance to the Committee of Union and Progress in hopes of saving the Empire.

In addition to this, I enjoyed seeing anti-imperialist remarks and progressively seeing hope in foreign powers decline throughout the novel, critiquing British and French influence on the Muslim lands (which would eventually be seen with the European powers creating borders within the Arab lands which would eventually lead to collapse of the Muslim world). The novel also gives a great insight into the decline of Muslim power, as the Europeans and their influence had grown days by day, and shows real events which were catalysts for the collapse of the Pax Ottomanica.

Having said all this, it is quite apparent that some of the political aspects of the book have not aged well. I can understand the characters' zealous nature for the Committee in hopes of bringing "progress" to Turkey earlier in the book, but as the novel progress, we start to see the faults and cracks within the Committee, which some of the characters still support despite mentioning its problems (i.e. the massacres against Armenians and relying upon the Western Imperialism). It seems like Pickthall was still hopeful in the Committee, which he then regretted later in life. This is one of the aspects of the novel that has not stood the test of time (considering the main Pashas of the Committee being secularists and responsible for genocide on Christian populations, just as the Ottoman Empire was being tarnished).

I also wish there were footnotes explaining historical references and figures of the book, rather than having to research them independently, just to make understanding the context much easier.

Is this "the great Muslim novel" which Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad claims it to be? Most definitely, if we take into account Pickthall's writing and translating the political troubles of his day into fiction. We should also take into account the relevance of the novel's message, as it reminds the reader that not all is lost, and the Muslim shall rise again after great calamities befall us.

TLDR: I saw The Early Hours as a Muslim version of Barry Lyndon, instead taking place a Ottoman setting and focusing more on the future of Islam in a world of progress and secularism. If I was a film director, this would be the novel I would most likely adapt.

[Zulekha's Reflections · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Early Hours depict political life towards the end of the Ottoman era before WW1. It follows the main character Camruddin who chooses to be politically active throughout his life standing with the party he believes wants truth and justice to prevail.

Camruddin believed that truth would always conquer falsehood for it was "a promise of God, who never breaks his promise". He believed this to be the case even if it was perceived that he/others were defeated by being the victim of death and through this we are reminded that a believer does not fear death. Near the end of the Ottoman empire, Camruddin does not rush to join a party despite knowing that his life may be coming to its end through assassination.

Camruddin believes that whatever good or bad occurs in this world, God's plan will eventually be fulfilled (through us and through others when our time is up) and therefore it is up to us how we live our lives, the morals we stand by and how we respond to situations. Our contentment lies in Islamic teachings:
"Light and darkness, good and evil, life and death, each will succeed each other always by Divine Decree", therefore have hope by the "early morning hours" and have patience "by the night when it is darkest, thy Lord has not forsaken thee...".

[Steven Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Early Hours" follows Camruddin, an earnest and honorable Macedonian Muslim soldier, in the latter days of the Ottoman Empire. What Pickthall does magnificently is envelop the reader in the culture: the religion, the manners, and the customs. By the end, one gets the feeling of having traveled alongside the characters.

What is less compelling, I'm sorry to say, is the way in which the political intrigue is conveyed. One gets a bit lost at times in the flurry of names and titles; it's all delivered in a matter-of-fact expository fashion without much development or context.

Overall, the book is a thoroughly enjoyable and quick read, especially for lovers of historical fiction. Definitely recommend.

[Ayşe Osmanoğlu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so grateful to the person who recommended this book to me. It has given me such a fascinating insight into the period of history I am currently writing about - the Young Turk Revolution of 1908 and its immediate aftermath. The book tells the story of a Young Turk officer during and after the revolution, and explores his hopes, fears and loves as the Ottoman Empire faces both internal and external threats. I was captivated by Pickthall’s elegant Edwardian prose. His thoughtful storytelling reveals a profound engagement with Islamic philosophy and his rich experiences in the Middle East.

[sisi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - writing is exquisite. Prose is fascinating, though it loses me sometimes. I loved loved the sneak peeks into the mind of the protagonist and how taqwa drove his decisions. Although there are side characters and mentions of some cultural misogyny, this doesn't come from the protagonist and is not given a favorable spotlight by the author. So very good all in all. Its a book to come back to multiple times.

[Zumzaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10

Pickthall has taken me to a place I never thought I could go. Truly I have never been transported in such a way as with Camruddin's political voyage. In this place, he's found me vulnerable to the cosmic nostalgia of natural wonder, the primordial charm of traditional custom and the divine beauty of God's religion. By the morning brightness pickthall has commanded in me to acknowledge the world as beautiful after unbeauty and hopeful after tragedy. No book has presented to me such a composition so as to leave completely above myself; my longing has never felt longer, more dearer, life never more sweeter, the fruit of death tempts.