Legacy of Jihad: Islamic Holy War and the Fate of Non-Muslims

by Andrew G. Bostom (Editor), Ibn Warraq (Foreword)

This book reveals how, for well over a millennium and across three continents - Asia, Africa, and Europe - non-Muslims who were vanquished by jihad wars became forced tributaries (called dhimmi in Arabic) in lieu of being slain. Under the dhimmi religious caste system, non-Muslims were subjected to legal and financial oppression, as well as social isolation. Extensive primary and secondary source materials, many translated here for the first time into English, are presented, making clear that jihad conquests were brutal, imperialist advances, which spurred waves of Muslims to expropriate a vast expanse of lands and subdue millions of indigenous peoples. Finally, the book examines how jihad war, as a permanent and uniquely Islamic institution, ultimately regulates the relations of Muslims with non-Muslims to this day. Scholars, educators, and interested lay readers will find this collection an invaluable resource.

Genres: Islam, History, Religion, Nonfiction, Middle East, Terrorism, Theology

782 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite its cumbersome and intimidating format, this book is indispensable to anyone who cares to know the truth about the wicked doctrine of Jihad, and all its attendant institutions. Dr. Bostom, an accomplished medical scholar and teacher, basically lets the theorists of Jihad, dating back to the very infancy of Islam, speak for themselves, reprinting in English translation a mass of documentary evidence. He also lets the victims of this most terrible of all imperial instruments speak for themselves.

[Chuck Russo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Bat Ye'or's books, this one covers similar topics with a similar approach - it shows how Muslims have treated non-Muslims throughout the history of Islam, demonstrating with brutal clarity that Islam is most definitely NOT a religion of peace and tolerance. Not an easy read, but worth it.

[Luce Sibilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

informative and reads fast but is way way biased in my personal opinion,
it almost sounds as propaganda from the american point of view

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The xenophobes in our country claim that Islam is a purely evil and violent religion, while the more reasonable say that terrorism is merely an extreme minority that can be found in every religion. The Legacy of Jihad is a lengthy and monotonous collection of writings about Islamic jihad authored by a wide variety of experts. The collection has pieces from thousands of years ago and many are directly from the Koran. I learned that violent Islamic jihad is more a part of mainstream Islam than I previously thought. The prophet clearly taught that jihad was a religious obligation for every Muslim, however, a certain amount of interpretation has been employed by different Imams and other religious leaders. This book was great in terms of history. It was, on the other hand, somewhat repetitive and slow moving. Good book to read if you want to know more about the role of jihad in Islam and the rest of the world.

[Terry Moffitt]

Excellent reference. Defintely not light reading.

[Wolfgang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever dreamt of becoming a historian? A historian say, of Jihad? Then this is the book to read.

It offers source material for the historian of the Jihad, slightly pre-sorted. Some comments already added.

How about the choice of materials for study? Not the typical orientologists' angle of view. It also offers views of the victims of the Jihad, which is untypical.