Secrets of the Koran Reviewed

8/14/2019 Secrets of the Koran Reviewed

1/21


2/21

4r( Richar!son is +ost we%% 'nown for his wi!e%y rea! #oo',


3/21

Secrets of the Koran EXTRACTS:)-ER E

oo' of -eace6

Since Se$te+#er 11, 2001, the oran @so+eti+es s$e%%e! Furan or FurGanB has #een a hot se%%erHnot on%y in the ra#ic wor%! #ut a%so in Western nations( Why are Western rea!ers su!!en%y so

intereste! in a #oo' that is the foun!in& charter of the re%i&ion ca%%e! Is%a+6 So+e 4us%i+s

@a!herents of Is%a+B ho$e that this u$sur&e in sa%es in Western nations wi%% resu%t in +ore converts

to their re%i&ion( In rea%ity, +any Western oran #uyers are si+$%y #othere! #y na&&in&

uestions: What is it a#out this oran that a%.Fae!a an! other u$.in.ar+s 4us%i+ revo%utionaries

thin' authories terroris+6 Does the oran in any way su$$ort their ra!ica%is+, or is it rea%%y, as

so+e 4us%i+s vociferous%y c%ai+, a #oo' of $eace6

Western +e!ia co++entators &enera%%y !is+iss Is%a+ic terrorists as fanatics who uote the oran

facetious%y si+$%y to %e&iti+ie anti.+erican an! anti.Israe%i $o%itica% o#;ectives( ot %on& after

the attac's in ew 9or' an! Washin&ton, D((, -resi!ent /eor&e W( ush !ec%are! that sa+a

#in >a!en an! his cohorts ha! hi;ac'e!K a &reat re%i&ion for their own !eran&e! $rivate

o#;ectives(1

t the sa+e ti+e, however, other +e!ia re$orters infor+e! us that +e+#ers of sa+a #in

>a!enGs a%.Fae!a !o not ;ust rea! the oran, #ut they actua%%y +e+orie %ar&e $ortions of it7

So+e, such as John Wa%'er >in!hHan +erican citien traine! #y the a%.Fae!aHeven

+e+orie a%% L,151 verses7 ou%! it #e that their inti+ate 'now%e!&e of the oran is $art of what

ins$ires the+ to wa&e war6 If a%.Fae!a terrorists are e*$%oitin& the oran on%y as a re%i&ious

faMa!e for $ri+ari%y $o%itica% &oa%s, sure%y +e+oriin& a few 'ey verses wou%! suffice(

he sa+e +e!ia inconsistent%y re$ort that Western e+#assies in 4us%i+ nations issue freuent

#u%%etins warnin& non.4us%i+s to sho$ an! si&htsee any !ay #ut ri!ay( his is not #ecause

4us%i+ sho$s are c%ose! on ri!ay( or is it #ecause Is%a+ has strict ru%es a&ainst +ean!erin& on

its !ay of rest( Is%a+ has no !ay of rest( Why then6 ri!ay is when 4us%i+s &ather in +osues

@!urin& ear%y +ornin& hours or, in the tro$ics, !urin& siestaB to $ray an! hear ser+ons fro+ theoran( Western e+#assies 'now that 4us%i+s e+er&in& fro+ +osuesHif incense! #y havin&

hear! a $articu%ar%y vitrio%ic ser+on fro+ the oranH+ay so+eti+es attac' Westerners #o!i%y( If

the oran teaches 4us%i+s to coe*ist $eacefu%%y with non.4us%i+sHas so +any voices assure us

it !oesHri!ay shou%! #e the safest !ay for a non.4us%i+ to encounter crow!s of 4us%i+s in the

streets of Is%a+a#a!, arachi or Ja'arta(

nti.Western an! nti.Israe% n%y6 r nti.hristian %so6

ttac's on +erica an! suici!e #o+#in&s in Israe% are thorou&h%y re$orte!, #ut other +ountin&

evi!ences of ra!ica% Is%a+ic ra&e rare%y reach our te%evision screens( n rare occasions, an! never

with co++ent, we see a%.Fae!a trainees #ar&in&H.CAs at the rea!yHinto a %ar&e roo+ where

a cross is !is$%aye! on a wa%%( #vious%y the trainees are $racticin& to 'i%% hristians en&a&e! inworshi$(

Does that $erha$s si&nify hatre! for +erican hristians, #ut not for hristians in other nations6

I fear not7 Ra!ica% 4us%i+ &un+en on cto#er 2=, 2001, inva!e! a church service in

ahawa%$ur, -a'istan, 'i%%in& 1L -a'istani hristian worshi$ersHnot +ericansHin co%! #%oo!(

he 4us%i+ &overn+ent of Su!an is co++ittin& &enoci!e u$on u#ian hristians in the

southern $art of that nation( here are a%so !is$atches fro+ eastern In!onesiaGs 4a%u'u Is%an!s

3


4/21

a#out >as'ar Jiha!H$hi%oso$hica% cousin of sa+a #in >a!enGs a%.Fae!a terrorist cu%tHusin&

ar+e! force to co+$e% hun!re!s of In!onesian atho%ics to convert to Is%a+ or !ie(

What !i! terrifie! In!onesian atho%ics have to !o to convert to Is%a+6 oth +en an! wo+en ha!

to #e circu+cise!7 onsteri%ie! scissors serve! as instru+ents( Death was the on%y o$tion foranyone who refuse!( ou%! they not fei&n conversion to Is%a+ at the cost of a $ainfu% an!

hu+i%iatin& +uti%ation an! then revert to atho%icis+6 f course they cou%!, #ut un!er the sa+eori&ina% threat of !eath7

Is%a+Gs Sharia %awHri&orous%y a$$%ie! #y >as'ar Jiha!Hhas an e+#e!!e! catch.22(K Reverters

are ta&&e! as a$ostates, an! the $ena%ty for a$ostasy un!er Sharia %aw is !eath(

Instances of anti.+erican, anti.Israe%i an! anti.hristian vio%ence eru$tin& in so +any $arts of

the 4us%i+ wor%! are increasin& e*$onentia%%y( We rea%%y have no choice( We +ust sto$ eva!in&

the uestion we wou%! rather not as'( Since virtua%%y a%% of those who are $er$etratin& that

vio%ence c%ai+ %oya%ty to an! ins$iration fro+ 4oha++e!Gs oran, cou%! it in fact #e true that

$art of the oran was in!ee! written to ins$ire vio%enceHa +o!ern for+ of which cou%! #e

inter$rete! as a ca%% to crash ;et aircraft trans$ortin& hun!re!s of $assen&ers into #ui%!in&s

occu$ie! #y thousan!s of $eo$%e6

If it is not true, then we non.4us%i+s nee! to !o +ore than sen! troo$s to $%aces such as

f&hanistan( We nee! to he%$ +o!erate 4us%i+sHwho co++en! the oran as a #oo' that

ins$ires $eaceHin their +ission to $ersua!e ra!ica% 4us%i+s to cease their !a+na#%e+isinter$retation of that $eace.ins$irin& #oo'7

onverse%y, what if the oran !oes a!vocate $eace, yes, #ut on%y on ter+s %ai! !own #y Is%a+6

What if, in fact, the oranHon any other #asisHca%%s for war a&ainst a%% non.4us%i+s6 In that

case, what we naive%y thin' $rofesse!%y +o!erate 4us%i+ a$o%o&ists +ean when they s$ea' of

$eace in the oran is not what they rea%%y +ean7 What they ca%% $eaceK is then on%y a carrot

!an&%in& fro+ a stic'( on.4us%i+ societies then are !on'eys that are e*$ecte! to $%o! after

ever.rece!in& $eaceK carrots(

4o!erate a$o%o&ists for Is%a+ within our #or!ers an! 4us%i+ terrorists stri'in& fro+ outsi!e then

a$$earH$erha$s unwittin&%yHas cons$irin& o$eratives in a &oo! co$#a! co$ strata&e+(

Is%a+, in that scenario, is a hosti%e su$re+acist force see'in& to &ri$ Western civi%iation #etween

o$$osite ar+s of a &reat Is%a+ic $incer( We are viewe! as cri+ina%s to #e sueee! unti% at %ast weconfess the truthK of Is%a+(

Every +e!iu+ constant%y ac'now%e!&es the &oa%s of a%.Fae!a.ty$e 4us%i+ terrorists as twofo%!:

$o%itica%%y anti.+erican an! anti.Israe%i( We +ust awa'en to the fact that their &oa%s are +uchwi!er( #un!ant evi!ence revea%s their &oa%s to #e ;ust as vicious%y anti.hristian as we%%( n!

since hristianity is #i&&er than Ju!ais+ an!, yes, even #i&&er than +erica, it is !efinite%y the+a;or tar&et in the crosshairs of ra!ica% Is%a+Gs %on&.ran&e $%annin&(

here is +ore7 Ra!ica% Is%a+ c%ai+s authoriation fro+ the oran to o$$ose not on%y Jews an!

hristians #ut a%so everyone who !oes not acce$t 4oha++e! as a $ro$het, the oran as !ivine%y

ins$ire!, Is%a+ as the u%ti+ate re%i&ion an! Jiha! as every 4us%i+Gs sacre! !uty( hus )in!us,

u!!hists, aoists, ew &ers, atheists, a&nostics, +ateria%ists, secu%ar hu+anists an! even tru%y

+o!erate 4us%i+s a%so stan! in ra!ica% Is%a+Gs .to.'i%% corra%( here can har!%y #e a +ore

i+$ortant concern in to!ayGs wor%!(

C


5/21

If ra!ica% 4us%i+ views of the oran are correct, there wi%% a%ways #e 4us%i+s answerin& the

oranGs ca%% to vio%ence( John F( -u#%ic in every nation +ust #e infor+e! #eyon! +ere concern

for !a+a&e contro% an! $o%itica% e*$e!iency( So+e voices see+ concerne! on%y to he%$ Is%a+

save face in the wa'e of the tra&e!ies $er$etrate! on Se$te+#er 11, 2001( Is not $reventin& the%oss of future victi+s a far &reater concern6

-erusin& the oran

he ne*t few cha$ters, &ui!e! #y ei&ht !ifferent En&%ish trans%ations of Is%a+Gs oran, $eruse

what a%% 4us%i+s cre!it as wor!s that /o! cause! the an&e% /a#rie% to !ictate in ra#ic throu&h

4oha++e!HIs%a+Gs ra# foun!erHto various scri#es in the ear%y L00s( >ater cha$ters trace

how the oranGs teachin&s inf%uence! re%ations #etween 4us%i+s an! non.4us%i+s !urin& the

1,300 to 1,C00 years since various recitations of the oran were corre%ate! into one #oo' in the

!eserts of ra#ia(

Di! 4oha++e! @so+eti+es s$e%%e! 4oha++a!, 4uha++a!, 4uha++e! or 4aho+etB rea%%y

inten! to ins$ire $eace an! &oo!wi%% to a%% +en, as tau&ht in the ew esta+ent, or so+ethin&

uite o$$osite6 What !oes the oran itse%f an! its inf%uence in history revea%6 re ra!ica%4us%i+s such as sa+a #in >a!en in fact ta'in& serious%y what +ost 4us%i+s si+$%y i&nore or

!o not un!erstan! in the oran6 If 4oha++e! returne! to!ay, wou%! he $raise sa+a #in >a!en

an! a%.Fae!a, or wou%! he si!e with +o!erate 4us%i+s6

he +ere fact that +ore than 1 #i%%ion 4us%i+s estee+ the oran as !ivine%y ins$ire! +a'es it an

e*tre+e%y i+$ortant #oo'( he oran is secon! on%y to the i#%e, honore! #y 1(L #i%%ion $eo$%e,

for its $otentia% to inf%uence hu+an affairs fro+ a re%i&ious $ers$ective(

Sti%%, +i%%ions of 4us%i+s cre!it the oran with !ivine ins$iration without actua%%y $erusin& it

@;ust as +i%%ions who ca%% the+se%ves Jews or hristians rare%y rea! their own enach or i#%eB(

frien! of +ine as'e! an Iranian 4us%i+ wo+an na+e! -eri, )ave you ever rea! the oran6K

-eri re$%ie!, We%%, no, #ut everyone 'nows whatGs in it(K

Do they6

Devotees who cre!it a #oo' with so+ethin& as i+$ortant as !ivine ins$irationHwithout rea%%y

'nowin& its contentsH%eave the+se%ves vu%nera#%e to i+$osters( 8nscru$u%ous teachers,

+isre$resentin& what /o! reuires in the revere! #ut unrea! #oo', +ay in!uce sincere $eo$%e toco++itHin /o!Gs na+eHcri+es they wou%! otherwise a#hor(

onverse%y, if a revere! #oo' actua%%y !oes +a'e cri+ina% !e+an!s in the na+e of /o!, shou%!

not its !evotees #%ess the+se%ves an! the rest of +an'in! #y cance%in& their !evotion to it6

We +ust as' ourse%ves: re we ta%'in& a#out a #oo' of $eace or 4oha++e!Gs 4ein a+$f6 hefo%%owin& uotes fro+ the oran an! the su++ary of how they have inf%uence! 4us%i+ $o%icy

fro+ the L00s unti% to!ay are for #oth secu%ar $eo$%e an! for those who are re%i&iousHhristians,

Jews, )in!us, u!!hists an!, yes, for 4us%i+s, too( 4us%i+s who, %i'e -eri fro+ Iran, thin' they

'now what is in the oran #ut have not actua%%y rea! it, owe it to the+se%ves to #e #etter

infor+e!( his is the serious uan!ary now face! #y +i%%ions of sincere $eace.%ovin& 4us%i+s(

4us%i+ a$o%o&istsHso+e of who+ +ay $refer that the wor%! #e %eft i&norant of certain $arts of

the oranHwi%% a%+ost certain%y accuse +e of +isuotin& the oran( I re$%y in a!vance: nyone

5


6/21

with a $ersona% co+$uter +ay easi%y confir+ the accuracy of +y uotations on their own

co+$uter screens( Si+$%y ca%% u$ a search en&ineH/oo&%e(co+ for e*a+$%eHan! enter oran(K

9ou can then choose any one of the severa% we#sites $rovi!in& i++e!iate access to every wor!

of the oran(

he War Verses

Rea!ers wi%% have hear! a$o%o&ists for the oran ac'now%e!&e that, yes, there are war verses in

the oran, #ut on%y a few( Every 4us%i+ a$o%o&ist hastens to a!! that the oranGs s$arse nu+#er

of war verses re%ate to ;ust a few unavoi!a#%e +i%itary crises in Is%a+Gs ear%y history( hey assure

us that no war verse was ever inten!e! to serve as a +o!e% incitin& 4us%i+s in &enera% to hosti%ity

a&ainst resistant non.4us%i+s in a%% a&es(

What is the truth of the +atter6

In fact, there are at %east 10= i!entifia#%e war verses in the oran( ne out of every 55 verses in

the oran is a war verse( War verses are scattere! throu&hout 4oha++e!Gs cha$ters %i'e #%oo!

s$%atter at a cri+e scene( I wi%% !e+onstrate fro+ 4oha++e!Gs own wor!s that he %eaves rea!ers

in no !ou#tHhe o#vious%y inten!e! his war verses to arouse 4us%i+s to co+$e% the conversionof non. 4us%i+s to Is%a+, even #y vio%ence if necessary( ai%in& their conversion, 4oha++e!

or!aine! that non.4us%i+s #e 'i%%e!, ens%ave! orH$rovi!e! Is%a+ is in fu%% $o%itica% contro%H

heavi%y ta*e! for the a!vance+ent of Is%a+ in $er$etuity7

n! yet I hesitate( Why6 If I si+$%y cite war verse after war verse after war verse fro+ a+on&

10= sa+$%es, +any rea!ers, seein& ;ust the wor!s on $a$er, +ay thin' it was ;ust thatHven&efu%.

soun!in& wor!s that &ot written on $a$er #ut re+ain innocent #ecause they !i! not %ea! to actua%

!ee!s of vio%ence( Even )it%erGs 4ein a+$fH+inus Wor%! War IIHcou%! #e ;ustifie! #y so+e

as !o%$hGs way of ventin& frustration( hus I a+ o#%i&ate! to uote 4oha++e!Gs war verses in

the conte*t of the actua% vio%ence they either !escri#e! or ins$ire!( Vio%ent wor!s that tri&&er

vio%ent !ee!s cannot #e !is+isse! as innocent ra+#%in&s(

he tra&ic events I !escri#e in the ne*t few $a&es are a%% confir+e! fro+ 4us%i+ sources(

Rea!ers +ay fin! it o!! that $er$etrators of such %oathso+e cri+es wou%! confess the+ so

au!acious%y( In fact, the vio%ence that 4oha++e! ins$ire! in his fo%%owers was so $ervasive that

#oth he an! they see+ to have %ost a%% sense of how vi%%ainous the recountin& of their !ee!s wou%!

a$$ear to non.4us%i+ rea!ers in a&es to co+e( s the fo%%owin& cha$ter shows, they virtua%%y

#ra& a#out +ur!erin& innocents(

ote

1( Steven Wa%!+an, /reat 4o+ent for 4us%i+s,K #e%iefnet,www(#e%iefnet(co+story=0storyN=015(ht+% @accesse! Ju%y 2=, 2002B(

Secrets of the oran . ha$ter 2

)-ER W

he Wo%f in the o%!

o un!erstan! the secrets of the oran we +ust #e&in #y %earnin& so+ethin& of the %ife of the

+an who, accor!in& to Is%a+ic history, ori&inate! it( )is na+e was 4oha++e!(

L


7/21

he +ost co++on%y acce$te! year for 4oha++e!Gs #irth is (D( 5A1( )e was #orn in 4ecca

@so+eti+es s$e%%e! 4a''ahB, a +a;or center on a north.south caravan route rou&h%y $ara%%e%in&

the Re! Sea in western ra#ia( 4ecca a%so &uar!e! the aGa#aHa shrine she%terin& 3L0 i!o%s

re$resentin& the 3L0 &o!s that various $a&an ra# tri#es worshi$e!(

r$hane! in chi%!hoo! an! raise! #y an unc%e, 4oha++e! never #eca+e %iterate( Sti%%, he

wor'e! his way u$ to +ana&eria% status in a 4eccan caravan co+$any owne! #y a wea%thywi!ow, ha!i;a( )e an! ha!i;a +arrie!( ha!i;a was severa% years 4oha++e!Gs senior, yet she

#ore hi+ four !au&hters(

Ear%y in the L00s, 4oha++e! #e&an to fo%%ow the ways of ra# seers see'in& s$iritua%

en%i&hten+ent( )e resorte! to a cave on 4ount )ira, near 4ecca( Soon he c%ai+e! to #e

e*$eriencin& visitations fro+ /a#rie%, an archan&e% +entione! #y Jews an! hristians( /a#rie%,

he sai!, a$$eare! to hi+ on #eha%f of the sa+e /o! that Jews an! hristians worshi$e!(

4oha++e! ca%%e! that /o! %%ah(

his entity i!entifie! as /a#rie% #e&an e*$%ainin& what 4oha++e! +ust !o as a servant for

%%ah( )e ha! to o$$ose the i!o%atrous worshi$ of $a&an i!o%s wherever they were foun!H

es$ecia%%y the i!o%s in 4eccaGs aGa#a( 4uch to the !is$%easure of wea%thy 'ee$ers of the aGa#a,4oha++e! $roc%ai+e! hi+se%f a $ro$het an! #e&an $reachin& vehe+ent%y a&ainst $a&an

i!o%atry( Eventua%%y, in (D( L22, 4eccan hosti%ity to his ar!ent +onotheis+ force! 4oha++e!

to f%ee with a few fo%%owers to 4e!ina, another caravan sto$ %ocate! so+e 200 +i%es north of

4ecca(

he few 4eccans who f%e! with 4oha++e! were those who rea!i%y acce$te!, at face va%ue, his

c%ai+ that the /o! of the Jews an! hristians ha! a$$ointe! hi+ as a $ro$het for ra#s( So+e

ra#s who !is#e%ieve! 4oha++e!Gs +essa&e !i! so #ecause they uite fran'%y $referre! to

worshi$ i!o%s( thers si+$%y !e+urre!, sayin& in effect, 9ou c%ai+ to #e a $ro$het %i'e the

$ro$hets Jews an! hristians #e%ieve in, #ut we ra#s have never ha! $ro$hets %i'e that, so we

!onGt 'now how to !eter+ine who is or isnGt Osent #y /o!P to #e that 'in! of a $ro$het( ( ( ( ut

Jews 'now how to reco&nie that 'in! of a $ro$het( So if they confir+ your c%ai+, we wi%%#e%ieve you( therwise, we retain our own #e%iefs(K1

Wantin& to win fo%%owers in 4e!ina faster than was $ossi#%e in 4ecca, the center of ra#ian

i!o%atry, 4oha++e! foun! hi+se%f #ur!ene! with an ur&ent $u#%ic re%ations nee! to have Jews

affir+ his c%ai+ to #i#%ica% $ro$hethoo!(

he re%ative%y few Jews who resi!e! in 4eccaH%ess %iterate than their #etter.rea! co+$atriots in

4e!inaHa$$arent%y $referre! to %eave ;u!&+ent re&ar!in& 4oha++e!Gs c%ai+s to the %atter(

Jews in 4eccaHa tiny +inority in that cityHun!erstan!a#%y $referre! not to #eco+e e+#roi%e!

in the festerin& 4oha++e! $ro#%e+(K

Jews in 4e!ina, howeverH+uch to their %ater re&ret, no !ou#tH!i! fin! the+se%ves increasin&%y$ressure! #y curious ra#s in 4e!ina to voice their o$inions re&ar!in& the so.ca%%e! $ro$het

fro+ 4ecca(

he -ro#%e+ of in!in& Su$$ort for 4oha++e!Gs %ai+s

In 4e!ina, 4oha++e! offere! his services to the city as an ar#iter of !is$utes( In that ro%e, he

constant%y sou&ht to in&ratiate hi+se%f with fe%%ow ra#s an!, at first, with the cityGs sia#%e

Jewish $o$u%ation(

A


8/21

Watchin& hi+ ar#itrate !is$utes, the Jews a%so o#serve! 4oha++e! c%ose%y, %oo'in& for any

si&ns that he ha! receive! $ro$hetic &iftin& fro+ /o!( he a#i%ity to wor' +irac%es wou%! have

#een one $roof, #ut 4oha++e! cou%! not offer a sin&%e $hysica% +irac%e as evi!ence of

$ro$hethoo!( In fact, $assa&es in the oran e*$ress his !is+ay over $eo$%e who 'e$t !e+an!in&+irac%es as su$$ort for his c%ai+s( Sans +irac%es, what e%se cou%! 4oha++e! offer6

De+onstratin& $rowess in offerin& reve%ations confir+in& the %! esta+ent was very %i'e%y

4oha++e!Gs on%y other way of i+$ressin& 4e!inan Jews( )owever, the oran itse%f shows that

his 'now%e!&e of the Jewish sacre! #oo's was shoc'in&%y !eficient( Even what he c%ai+e! to #e

!ivine ins$iration cou%! not co+$ensate for 4oha++e!Gs $ersona% %ac' of 'now%e!&e of

Scri$ture(

/%arin& +ission

If the first Q= cha$ters of the oran, co+$i%e! years %ater, offer any c%ues to the content of

4oha++e!Gs ear%y reve%ations, he $ro#a#%y treate! the Jews in 4e!ina to a narration he sure%y

fe%t wou%! s$e%%#in! the+: the E*o!us story7 he oran wou%! %ater feature 4oha++e!Gs

ren!itions of 4osesG confrontation with the $haraoh, a ru%er of ancient E&y$t, 2A ti+es in his firstQ= cha$ters( In other wor!s, 4oha++e! re$eate! that sa+e story once every 3(3 cha$ters7 It

sure%y +ust have #een one of his favorite $u%$it $ieces(

%as, not even once in 2A te%%in&s of the E*o!us sa&a !i! 4oha++e! inc%u!e the +ost inte&ra%co+$onent of the story: the -assover7 )ow cou%! the Jews acce$t as a $ro$het a +an whoHif he

even 'new a#out the -assoverHha! no sense of its i+$ortance6

4ore /a$s in 4oha++e!Gs now%e!&e

+ittin& the -assover fro+ the E*o!us story was not 4oha++e!Gs on%y %a$se( he oran wou%!

%ater revea% that he thou&ht !a+ an! Eve sinne!, not in an earth%y &ar!en, #ut in $ara!ise(

4oha++e! ha! the errin& cou$%e cast to Earth on%y after they sinne! @see oran A:1=.2C or A:20.25B( So+e 4us%i+ trans%ators try to vei% his error #y usin& the wor! &ar!enK instea! of

$ara!ise,K yet even they %et the truth out a few verses %ater, when /o!, after the test, sai! to

!a+ an! Eve, /et you !own ( ( ( earth wi%% for a whi%e $rovi!e your !we%%in&K @oran A:2CB(

4oha++e! further tau&ht that )a+an, a -ersian in the i#%eGs #oo' of Esther, was an associate

of the $haraoh in E&y$t =00 years ear%ier in the !ays of 4oses @see oran 2Q:5.L,QB( f course toacce$t this 4us%i+s +ust assu+e that a -ersian na+e, )a+an, was coinci!enta%%y a%so a +a%e

na+e in E&y$t centuries %ater(

4oha++e! a%so confuse! in& Sau%H+entione! in the %! esta+ent #oo' of 1 Sa+ue%Hwith/i!eon who, in Ju!&es A:1.A, chose 300 warriors out of 10,000 +en #y o#servin& how they !ran'

water @see oran 2:2C= or 250B(

4( ( han trans%ate! the oran with En&%ish rather than ra#ic for+s for the na+es of #i#%ica%

characters, yet stran&e%y re$%aces Sau% with its ra#ic s$e%%in&, a%ut( Why6 o hi!e 4oha++e!Gs

error fro+ non.ra# s$ea'ers6 4( 4( %i, another 4us%i+ writer, ar&ues that there were two

!ifferent $arties of 300 +en each( )is #asis: /i!eonGs +en ca+$e! near a s$rin& Sau%Gs ar+y

!ran' fro+ a river( ut Ju!&es L:33 revea%s that the Jor!an River was near#y( Wou%! /i!eon have

waite! u$on 10,000 +en to !rin' fro+ a +ere s$rin& or fro+ a river6

Q


9/21

Whi+sica% >e&en! anonie!

So+ewhere 4oha++e! hear! a curious Jewish %e&en!( Whoever concocte! it c%ai+e! that when

/o! &ave the >aw to Israe% at 4ount Sinai, Israe% initia%%y refuse! to $ro+ise to receive it( )ow!i! /o! co+$e% the+ to o#ey an! o$en their eyes6 )e %ifte! the entire +ass of 4ount Sinai u$

fro+ Earth an! he%! it in the s'y a#ove the ca+$ of Israe%( hin'in& /o! was a#out to !ro$ the+ountain on their hea!s, Israe% uic'%y re%ente!7

)ow start%e! 4e!inan Jews +ust have #een to fin! 4oha++e! treatin& one of their %e&en!s as a

va%i! $art of %! esta+ent Scri$ture(2 )ow cou%! 4oha++e! e*$ect Jews to acce$t his

reve%ations,K ri!!%e! with these an! nu+erous si+i%ar outri&ht errors, as confir+in& the %!

esta+ent6 4ore to the $oint: )ow cou%! he continue offerin& erroneous ren!itions of %!

esta+ent stories in a city where %iterate Jews wou%! #e forever correctin& his errorsH$ro#a#%y

even &uffawin& over the+ $u#%ic%y63

)ow !i! 4oha++e! res$on! to Jewish ri!icu%e6 )e ha! three o$tions: confess he was not a

$ro$het, re%ocate to a city with no Jews or $ur&e a%% resistant Jews fro+ 4e!ina( o his sha+e,

4oha++e! $resa&e! the catastro$hic choice another wor%! %ea!er wou%! +a'e centuries %aterHhe chose to $ur&e the Jews(

roo$s of +o!ern 4us%i+ a$o%o&ists, whitewash an! #rush in han!, strain their #rains tryin& to

;ustify the ori&ina% +ini&enoci!e that 4oha++e! was a#out to un%eash u$on the Jews in 4e!ina(hey a%so try to !isconnect his +ur!ers there fro+ the nu+erous co$ycat atrocities that his

fo%%owers, honorin& his e*a+$%e, were to $er$etrate !own throu&h the su#seuent centuries of

Is%a+ic history(

I ca%% the+ +o!ern 4us%i+ a$o%o&ists #ecause !urin& +ost of the 1,C00 years since 4oha++e!Gs

ti+e 4us%i+s have en;oye! such tota% contro% in orth frica an! the 4i!!%e East that few

$eo$%e ever !are! as' the+ to ;ustify anythin&( i+es are !ifferent now, an! 4us%i+s are tryin&

to !eve%o$ a$o%o&etic s'i%%s( ut they have yet to encounter the fu%% wei&ht of critica%investi&ation of which free Western +in!s are ca$a#%e( In other wor!s, the &roun! has ;ust #e&un

to war+ u$ un!er Is%a+Gs feet(

So+e a$o%o&ists %a#e% the horrors that were a#out to occur in 4e!ina as a ;ust !efensive war

a&ainst the Jews( ou%! it have #een that6 Re$eate!%y in the oran, 4oha++e! criticies so+e

Jews for !is+issin& his c%ai+s, others for se%%in& #its of their Scri$tures for a $a%try $riceK@oran 2:C1B or for hi!in& Scri$ture fro+ ra#s( 9et nowhere in the oran !oes 4oha++e!

accuse the Jews of a sin&%e act of $hysica% a&&ression a&ainst hi+( In fact, a %ar&er co%%ection of

Is%a+ic %iteratureHthe ha!ithsH !isc%oses that Jews in 4e!ina taunte!, criticie! or o$$ose!

4oha++e! an! his fo%%owers on inte%%ectua% &roun!s, #ut there is no +ention of any Jewthreatenin& $hysica% action(

ra#s in 4e!ina were as'in& Jews for their honest eva%uation of 4oha++e!( 4e!inan Jews

were free%y offerin& their o$inions( >itt%e !i! they 'now that e*ercisin& the free!o+ of s$eech

they ha! a%ways en;oye! $rior to 4oha++e!Gs arriva% wou%! sea% the !oo+ of +any a+on&

the+(

Sti%%, #efore 4oha++e! cou%! reta%iate a&ainst 4e!inan Jews for causin& hi+ to %ose face, he

ha! to win the co%%usion of 4e!inan $a&ans, a +a;ority of who+ res$ecte! the Jews( o %u%%

sus$icion an! #uy ti+e for $%ottin&, 4oha++e! an! the re%ative%y few fo%%owers he ha! %e! fro+

=


10/21


11/21

Ro!we%%Gs trans%ation !escri#es the houris as a rare creation ( ( ( we have +a!e the+ ever

vir&insK @oran 5L:3C. 3LB( h+e! %i trans%ates /o!GsK !escri$tion of the houris in the sa+e

$assa&e: 4ai!ens inco+$ara#%e( We have for+e! the+ in a !istinctive fashion, an! +a!e the+

vir&ina%(K

4us%i+ scho%ars ten! to fin! a !ee$er +eanin& #ehin! these wor!s( ne inter$retation: heaven%y

houris are a rare, inco+$ara#%e an! !istinctive 'in! of vir&in $recise%y #ecause, once !ef%owere!,they #eco+e $hysica%%y vir&ina% a&ain for the ne*t se* act(

his &ave Jews an! any hristians %ivin& in 4e!ina even +ore cause to fee% a$$a%%e! at

4oha++e!Gs c%ai+ to #i#%ica% $ro$hethoo!( or a +a%e in Ju!ais+, +arryin& one wife is the

i!ea%( he i!ea of $ro+iscuous se*, in this %ife or #eyon!, is a#horrent( s a &ui!e for hristians,

Jesus tau&ht that $eo$%e we%co+e! into /o!Gs ho%y $resence wi%% neither +arry nor #e &iven in

+arria&e they wi%% #e %i'e the an&e%s in heavenK @4ar' 12:25B(

What ha$$ens to a +arrie! cou$%eGs sense of the sanctity of their +arria&e if thou&hts of future

se* with houris 'ee$s !istractin& the hus#an! fro+ cherishin& his wife an! the wife fro+

en;oyin& her hus#an! #ecause she 'nows heGs thin'in& a#out the+6 or anyone who ta'es the

oran serious%y, there is $ro#a#%y nothin& +ore corrosive to true +arita% #%iss than this #it of+ischief(

Interestin&%y, I have not foun! anythin& in either the oran or the ha!iths that !enotes an&e%s as

se*ua% #ein&s( 9et fa%%en an&e%s, i(e(, !e+ons @ca%%e! ;inn in ra#icB, are c%ear%y !escri#e! asca$a#%e of havin& se* with houris( or e*a+$%e, h+e! %iGs trans%ation of the oran !escri#es

houris as un!ef%owere! #y +an or #y ;innK @55:ACB(

)ow stran&e that 4oha++e! %eaves 4us%i+ +en in heaven #e%ow the +ore e*a%te! an&e%ic state(

Instea! of #%issfu%%y worshi$in& /o!, castin& their crowns at )is feet, a$$arent%y 4us%i+ +en

+ust s$en! eternity !oin& e*act%y what !e+ons wou%! !o if &iven a chance: cou$%e with one

houri after another forever(

Ruth%ess entice+ent of the +a%e se* !rive, co+#ine! with the $ros$ect of #ountifu% earth%y

$%un!er, soon #rou&ht a +a;ority of 4e!inaGs $a&an +en to 4oha++e!Gs si!e( In!ee!, the

a%%ure+ent of 4oha++e!Gs $ro+ise of eterna% sensuous $%easure in $ara!ise cou%! have a stran&e

effect on +a%e fo%%owers( )istorian 4a*i+e Ro!inson recounts that an ra# +an na+e! 8+ayr

I#n a%. )u+a+, hearin& 4oha++e! $ro+ise i++e!iate access to -ara!ise for anyone +artyre!

in #att%e ra&in& at the ti+e, shoute!:

ine7 ine7 )ave I on%y to &et +yse%f 'i%%e! #y these +en to enter into $ara!ise6K ( ( ( /ras$in&

his swor!, OheP $%un&e! into the thic' of the #att%e an! was soon 'i%%e!(L

8+ayr I#n a%.)u+a+ was $erha$s the first a+on& uncounte! thousan!s of !eath.courtin&4us%i+ +artyrs who over centuriesHan! sti%% to!ayH+is%ay their faith on 4oha++e!Gs

$ernicious fantasy( hus !o they waste the $recious &ift of %ifeHtheir own an! othersGHeven in

suici!e #o+#in&s(

>on&.er+ Si!e Effects of 4oha++e!Gs 8se of the Se* >ure

Is%a+Gs stron& cu%tura% $reference is to 'ee$ 4us%i+ wo+en an! &ir%s so co+$%ete%y covere! that

virtua%%y nothin& of their fe+ininity is evi!ent when they venture out!oors( In Sau!i ra#ia even

11


12/21

a wo+anGs face an! eyes +ust #e vei%e!( ewswee' &ave the wor%! a shoc'in& e*a+$%e of how

ri&i! this o#session can #e( or the fu%% re$ort, see ewswee' @Ju%y 22, 2002B( )ere is +y

su++ary:

In 4ecca, a fire #ro'e out in an inter+e!iate schoo% housin& A50 4us%i+ &ir%s( Every win!owwas covere! with iron #ars to assure that no +a%e $row%er or %ovesic' #oyfrien! cou%! ever stea%

in( Every !oor was %oc'e!( s &ir%s rushe! !own a f%i&ht of stairs towar! the on%y !oor that wasuse! for e*itreentry, 15 were tra+$%e! to !eath an! so+e C0 others in;ure!( %as, the one !oor

was %oc'e!( he 4us%i+ re%i&ious $o%ice+an who was su$$ose! to #e on !uty to un%oc' the !oor

in an e+er&ency was off on an erran!(

ina%%y, so+eone +ana&e! to o$en the !oor an! hun!re!s of terrifie! &ir%s rushe! into the street

to esca$e the suffocatin& s+o'e an! encroachin& f%a+e( In their hurry to esca$e, however, they

!i! not have ti+e to &o to their roo+s to &et the o#%i&atory hea! coverin&s they nee!e! to venture

out.of.!oors( score of 4us%i+ re%i&ious $o%ice+en @ca%%e! 4utawasB, outra&e! at seein& #are.

hea!e! &ir%s swar+in& o$en%y in a $u#%ic street, conver&e! on the scene with one intentHto

&uar! the !ecency of the co++unity #y forcin& the &ir%s #ac' into the #urnin& #ui%!in&7

han'fu%%y the civic $o%ice ha! +ore sense( ut they ha! to #eat so+e of the 4utawas sense%ess

to 'ee$ the+ fro+ $ursuin& their fanatic &oa% of $ushin& &ir%s #ac' into the #urnin& #ui%!in& ;ust#ecause +a%es in the street +i&ht see their uncovere! faces(A

/rantin& that so+e other cu%tures a%%ow e*cessive $u#%ic e*$osure of the fe+a%e for+, so+ethin&at Is%a+Gs #e&innin& sti+u%ate! core Is%a+ to its stron& insistence on tota% coverin&( What cou%!

that have #een6

onsi!er what +ust have #een the socia% effect of 4oha++e!Gs constant #an!yin& of the $ro+ise

of increase! se* with e*tra wives an! fe+a%e s%aves in this %ife $%us even +ore an! #etter eterna%

se* with #evies of vir&ins in $ara!ise( 8n!erstan!a#%y, $a&an ra# +en, sna&&e! into Is%a+ #y

this a%+ost irresisti#%e %ure of se*, ha! se* on their +in!s even +ore than #efore their

conversions(K

his $resente! a !i%e++a( o 4us%i+ +an wante! his own wives an! !au&hters to #eco+e

o#;ects of so +uch increase! +a%e se*ua% !esire in the &enera% co++unity( So 4us%i+ +en fe%t

o#%i&e! to cover an! even hi!e their wives an! !au&hters fro+ view even +ore than $a&an ra#

cu%ture ori&ina%%y reuire!( What #e&an as a $ractica% safe&uar! soon #eca+e an entrenche!

cu%tura% i+$erative(

he -ro#%e+ of e+a%e /enita% 4uti%ation

Is%a+Gs wi!es$rea! $ractice of a+$utatin& the c%itoris an! so+eti+es $art or even a%% of the vu%vafro+ the &enita%ia of 4us%i+ wo+en, affir+e! in a ha!ith #y 4oha++e! hi+se%f, +ost %i'e%y

a%so traces #ac' to the foun!erGs !e%i#erate a#use of se* to %ure $a&an +a%es into his cu%t(Q he+ore the +a%e se* !rive is $ur$osefu%%y arouse!, the +ore the fe+a%e se* ur&e +ay have to #e

$ro$ortionate%y su$$resse!, %est or&iastic he%% #e&in to s$rea!(

onsi!er then what freuent%y ha$$ens when even a +o!est%y c%othe! youn& Western wo+an

wa%'s a%one in #roa! !ay%i&ht !own a street in, for e*a+$%e, a non.Westernie! area of a city in

-a'istan( 4us%i+ +en aroun! her can see her face, hair an! nec'H+ay#e even her an'%es( So+e

of the+ $erceive that +uch e*$osure as intent on her $art to arouse the+( he fact that she is not

acco+$anie! #y a +a%e re%ative confir+s their sus$icions( nowin& that she, a Western wo+an,

12


13/21

has not #een su#;ecte! to that crue% a+$utation which Is%a+ forces u$on +i%%ions of 4us%i+

wo+en, so+e +a%es +ay even i+a&ine that she +ust fee% se*ua% !esire for the+(

hey ten! a%so to $erceive the+se%ves as not res$onsi#%e to e*ercise !ecent socia% restraint(

Rather she is res$onsi#%e not to te+$t the+7 Whatever %ew! thin& 4us%i+ +en aroun! her say, !oor fee% as a resu%t is re&ar!e! as her fau%t a%one(

>itt%e won!er that thousan!s of Western wo+en in such situations have co+$%aine! of #ein&

&ro$e!, %eere! at an! insu%te!( In +a;or cities of 4a%aysia an! In!onesia, where cu%tures +i*,

such $ro#%e+s are %ess %i'e%y, #ut if riotin& #rea's out in In!onesia, the wor%!Gs +ost $o$u%ous

$re!o+inant%y 4us%i+ nation, anythin& can ha$$en, even in a +a;or city(

Durin& a +a;or u$heava% in In!onesia in the %ate 1==0s, se*.crae! 4us%i+ +en &an&.ra$e!

!oens of hinese wo+en in sho$s, ho+es an! even in the streets, shoutin& in ra#ic, %%ahu

'#ar7K @/o! is &reat7B(=

uthor Jan /oo!winGs -rice of )onor e*cee!s even etty 4ahoo!yGs ot Without 4y Dau&hter

in !ocu+entin& the horrors that wo+en freuent%y e*$erience in the 4i!!%e East( /oo!win

recor!s hun!re!s of instances of 4us%i+ wo+en #eaten into su#+ission, harasse! in their ho+esan! even su#;ecte! to $u#%ic +o%estation( or e*a+$%e:

Wor'in& wo+en in airo have %on& co+$%aine! of #ein& se*ua%%y assau%te! on #uses #y +en who

ta'e the o$$ortunity of rare $ro*i+ity to the o$$osite se* to 'nea!, ru# an! fon!%e fe+a%eco++uters( ( ( ( Since #ein& +anhan!%e! is so sha+efu% Oto re$ortP !ecent wo+en suffer in si%ence

rather than #e accuse! of havin& encoura&e! the +an(10

/oo!win then writes of Shahina, a youn& wo+an ra$e! on a #us in E&y$t: un!a+enta%ists

#e&an sayin& it was the &ir%Gs fau%t( She was wearin& a s'irt ( ( ( not a hi;a#( he +e!ia a%so #e&an

to #%a+e her( ( ( ( Even wo+en sai! it was her fau%t ( ( ( she was wor'in&, not stayin& at ho+e(K11

Sti%%, /oo!win %ac's the aweso+e%y nee!e! coura&e to %ay the #%a+e for such horrors ri&ht whereit #e%on&sHon 4oha++e!, the oran an! Is%a+( 4i%%ions of +o!ern +e!ia $eo$%e are %i'e

!octors !escri#in& horri#%e sy+$to+s #ut fai%in& to i!entify the virus(

onsi!er another sy+$to+ tracea#%e to the sa+e virus: he >os n&e%es i+es, Ju%y C, 2002, on

$a&e C, re$orte! a stran&e e*a+$%e of the $erce$tion of ;ustice in a 4us%i+ tri#a% area of

-a'istan( I su++arie: +a%e youth was seen wa%'in& #esi!e a &ir% fro+ another tri#e( %oca%tri#a% counci% ru%e! that this outra&e ha! to #e $unishe!, #ut no one han!e! the youn& +an over to

-a'istanGs civic $o%ice to #e $unishe! #y civi% %aw( o, this cri+eK was !ee+e! an offense

a&ainst 4us%i+ Sharia %aw an! a&ainst the !i&nity of those offen!e!( %oca% counci% of e%!ers

!eci!e! to $unish the youn& +an #y !ecreein& that his 1Q.year.o%! sister #e &an&.ra$e!($$arent%y the sentence was carrie! out( -a'istanGs civic $o%ice re$orte!%y were see'in& to arrest

the ra$ists( here see+e! to #e no +ention of arrestin& the e%!ers who !ecree! the #oyGs$unish+ent(

In %ater cha$ters I e*$%ain +ore of the !ire effect 4oha++e!Gs teachin&s have ha! u$on wo+en(

ow #ac' to 4oha++e!Gs #ui%!u$ for a !ay of ven&eance a&ainst Jews in 4ecca(

he att%e of a!r

13


14/21

he %ar&er 4oha++e!Gs force #eca+e in 4e!ina, the #o%!er he &rew in shatterin& the $revious%y

e*istin& $eace #y rai!in& caravans +ovin& to or fro+ 4ecca( ne !ay 4oha++e!, en route to

rai! a caravan, was interce$te! #y an ar+e! force fro+ 4ecca near a we%% ca%%e! a!r(

4oha++e!Gs 330 fi&hters !efeate! the %ar&er 4eccan force, 'i%%in& C= +en( Sir Wi%%ia+ 4uiran! Ro!inson o$ine that the 4eccans, reco&niin& so+e of their own c%ans+en in 4oha++e!Gs

contin&ent, %ost the #att%e #ecause they !i! not have the heart to 'i%% re%atives(12 4oha++e!, onthe other han!, constant%y tau&ht his fo%%owers that %oya%ty to Is%a+ overro!e a%% other hu+an

#on!s @see oran =:23.2C 5Q:22.23B( hus his +en !i! not hesitate in #att%e, even when

swin&in& the swor! at 4eccans who+ they reco&nie! as re%atives(

n o+en of !ee$enin& +ora% !ar'ness fe%% that !ay( So+eone cast the severe! hea! of a s%ain

4eccan at 4oha++e!Gs feet( I#n Warra !escri#es 4oha++e!Gs res$onse: It Othe severe! hea!P

is +ore acce$ta#%e to +e than the choicest ca+e% in a%% ra#ia(K13

Researchers overwhe%+in&%y a&ree: 4oha++e!Gs victory at a!r enhance! his a#i%ity to #e%ieve

@so+e i+$%y to fei&n #e%iefB in his own c%ai+ to $ro$hethoo!( It a%so encoura&e! hi+ to thin' that

his $%an to wa&e war a&ainst the sia#%e nu+#er of Jews in 4e!ina was c%oser to fu%fi%%+ent(

)avin& shattere! the $eace #etween 4ecca an! 4e!ina, 4oha++e! ne*t set out to !estroy the

co++en!a#%e concor! that ra#s an! Jews in 4e!ina ha! en;oye! for centuries(

he wo%f was in the fo%!(

4oha++e! 'new he cou%! not attac' 4e!inaGs Jews without the co+$%icity of ra#s who ha!

%on& %ive! as their nei&h#ors( Ri!in& a wave of hei&htene! $resti&e after his victory at a!r, he

sti%% nee!e! a way to test if he cou%! +ur!er Jews without tri&&erin& a reaction of horror a+on&

4e!inan ra#s( ra# $u#%ic conscience, thou&h $a&an, was sti%% too +ora% to #e 4oha++e!Gs

a%%y( It was an ene+y he ha! to !e&ra!e(

4oha++e! foun! a way to 'ee$ +easurin& how +uch +in! contro% he ha! achieve! a+on&4e!inan $a&an ra#s( fter the att%e of a!r, he #e&an or!erin& a series of heinous

assassinations of in!ivi!ua% ra#s( If ra#s cou%! #ear to see a few of their own $eo$%e s%ain for

offen!in& hi+, sure%y they were not far fro+ consentin& to the who%esa%e s%au&hter of Jews for

the sa+e reason(

he se%f.$roc%ai+e! $ro$hetGs first victi+ was a ha$%ess 4eccan na+e! a%.a!erH'i%%e! #ecausehe ha! scoffe! at 4oha++e! ( ( ( an! to%! #etter stories than the $ro$het hi+se%f(K1C

)is ne*t $rey was c#a, a ca$tive ta'en at a!r( c#a, a#out to #e s%ain, as'e!:

n! +y %itt%e &ir%( Who wi%% ta'e care of her6K

)e%%fire7K e*c%ai+e! the -ro$het an! on the instant the victi+ was hewn to the &roun!( Wretchthat thou wast7K O4oha++e!P continue!, an! $ersecutor7 8n#e%iever in /o!, in his -ro$het, an!

in his oo'7K15

%.a!er an! c#a were ra#sHfro+ 4ecca, not 4e!ina( o see if he cou%! or!er an actua%

citien of 4e!ina s%ain without tri&&erin& re$ercussions, 4oha++e! turne! with %etha% +a%ice,

not to con!e+n a +an, #ut a wo+an(

1C


15/21

n ra# $oetess na+e! s+a #int 4arwan wrote cou$%ets chi!in& ra# +en of 4e!ina for

&atherin& %i'e se!uce! wo+en aroun! the treacherous stran&er fro+ 4ecca( She %i'ene! the+ to

+en &ree!y for +ea% sou$ when it is coo'in&,K1L $erha$s referrin& to their ho$e of &ainin&

$%un!er an! se* s%aves via 4oha++e!Gs continuin& rai!s( When her $oe+ was rea! to hi+,

4uha++e! sai! a%ou!, Wi%% no one ri! +e of this !au&hter of 4arwan6K here was a +an$resent who #e%on&e! to the $oetessGs c%an ( ( ( 8+ayr i#n !i ( ( ( that very evenin& he went to

the $oetessGs house( She was s%ee$in& with her chi%!ren a#out her( he youn&est, sti%% at the

#reast, %ay as%ee$ in her ar+s( O8+ayrP !rove his swor! throu&h her, an! in the +ornin& he went

to 4uha++a!( 4essen&er of /o!,K he sai!, I have 'i%%e! her7K

9ou have !one a service to %%ah an! his 4essen&er, 8+ayr,K was the re$%y(1A

Ro!insonGs an! WarraGs sources have the +ur!erer as'in& if he shou%! fear reta%iation(

4oha++e!, a$$arent%y 'nowin& that s+aGs outnu+#ere! c%an cou%! not ris' a #%oo! feu!,

assure! 8+ayr that not even two &oats wou%! #other to #utt hea!s over s+aGs +ur!er(1Q

utnu+#ere! an! a$$arent%y terrorie! into a#;ect su#+ission, s+aGs entire c%an, anu hat+a,

converte! to Is%a+( In the history of Is%a+, 4us%i+ teachers ten! to inter$ret such a resu%t as

;ustifyin& the cri+e that %e! to it( his is one of ra!ica% Is%a+Gs rationa%iations for terroris+H

s%au&hter a few rea$ the conversion of +any(

ne +onth after s+a was +ur!ere!, another of 4oha++e!Gs acco+$%ices 'i%%e! another ra#

$oet who ha! !are! to criticie 4oha++e!: 100.year.o%! #u fa'(1=

he in!efensi#%e a#sence of ra# $u#%ic $rotest to these outra&es $ersua!e! 4oha++e! that he

cou%! at %ast #e&in to +ove a&ainst 4e!inan Jews( heir 'now%e!&e.#ase! criticis+s stun& hi+

far +ore &a%%in&%y than intuition.#ase! #ar#s fro+ ra# $oets( s 'ee$er of the constitution

+entione! ear%ier, 4oha++e! nee!e! a !efau%t on the $art of the JewsHa !efau%t he cou%! use to;ustify reta%iation(

foo%ish Jewish &o%!s+ith of the anu Faynua c%an &ave 4oha++e! e*act%y the e*cuse he

nee!e!( he &o%!s+ith $u#%ic%y e+#arrasse! the wife of a 4us%i+( nother 4us%i+ overreacte!

#y 'i%%in& the &o%!s+ith( he Jews 'i%%e! the 4us%i+ who 'i%%e! the &o%!s+ith( What wou%!

ar#iter 4oha++e! !o to restore the $eace6

othin&(

he +an who unti% then ha! serve! 4e!ina as an ar#itrator !eci!e! to !ro$ the ar#iK an!#eco+e ;ust a traitor( In vio%ation of his a$$ointe! !uty, he in effect !ec%are! the onstitution of

4e!ina no %on&er va%i! an! attac'e! the anu Faynua Jews(

Why !i!nGt the ar#itrator ar#itrate instea! of %ayin& sie&e6

Scores of 4us%i+ a$o%o&istsHan! so+e naive non.4us%i+ scho%ars who ta'e 4us%i+ scho%arsG

wor! on a%+ost anythin&Hc%ai+ that 4e!inan Jews were &ui%ty of a&&ression a&ainst

4oha++e! an! ;ust%y nee!e! to #e o$$ose!( ut they su$$%y no e*a+$%esH#eyon! the JewsG

very ;ustifia#%e inte%%ectua% confrontation(

15


16/21

So+e scho%ars c%ai+ that Jews were a#out to attac' 4us%i+s $hysica%%y( Shoutin& in !enia% stan!

two stri'in& facts: irst is that 4e!inaGs other two Jewish c%ans !i! not rush to ta'e si!es with the

one that 4oha++e! chose to attac'( o++on sense wou%! have !ictate! o$$osin& hi+ in unison

if in fact it was their $%an to $hysica%%y o$$ose hi+ at a%%(

Secon!, when an ar+y fro+ 4ecca res$on!e! to 4oha++e!Gs caravan rai!in& an! to the %oss at

a!r #y attac'in& 4e!ina itse%f, severa% thousan! Jews u$risin& within the city wou%! have &iven4ecca the victory( hat occasionHca%%e! the att%e of the DitchHwas a !ay of &o%!en

o$$ortunity for the Jews if in fact they were $%ottin& a&ainst 4oha++e!( Why !i! they not

e*$%oit it6 %ear%y they ha! no +i%itary $%an( hey were +erchants who wante! $eace(

ifteen !ays %ater, cut off fro+ su$$%ies of foo!, the anu Faynua surren!ere!( 4oha++e!

$%anne! to s%ay every Jewish +a%e, #ut a sufficient nu+#er of 4e!inan ra#s o#;ecte! to so

utter%y crue% a $%an( So 4oha++e! sett%e! for evictin& a%% anu Faynua fa+i%ies fro+ their

ho+es, even fro+ their own ho+etown(

With on%y what they cou%! carry, Faynua Jews f%e! on ca+e% or on foot towar! hristian Syria(

4us%i+ !es$oi%ers %oote! the &oo!s that re+aine! an! c%ai+e! a%% anu Faynua ho+es an!

%an!( 4oha++e! hi+se%f too' one.fifth of everythin&(20

e*t to !ie #y assassination was another $oet, a# i#n a%.shraf(21 4oha++e! then or!ere!,

i%% any Jew you are a#%e to 'i%%(K22 4uhayyisa, a 4us%i+, res$on!e! #y 'i%%in& a Jew na+e!

I#n Sunayna(

Victory over the anu Faynua #rou&ht 4oha++e! to a secon! $hase of his $%ot to e*tin&uish

Jewish free!o+ of thou&ht an! s$eech in 4e!ina( )e attac'e!, !efeate! an! #anishe! the wea%thy

a!ir( heir riches, houses an! %an!s +a!e 4oha++e! even +ore financia%%y secure( wo years

%ater an! in another %ocation 4oha++e! +assacre! the a!ir anyway(

ina%%y, 4oha++e! #esie&e! the %ast +a;or Jewish tri#e in 4e!ina, the anu Furaya( Warne!

that 4oha++e! this ti+e wante! #%oo!, not #anish+ent, the Jews offere! to surren!er oncon!ition that their fate #e !eci!e! #y the one &rou$ of 4e!inan ra#s that 4oha++e! ha! not

yet tota%%y se!uce!Hthe anu ws( t worst, the Jews +ust have thou&ht they wou%! #e #anishe!

fro+ their ho+es, as were the two other Jewish c%ans(

It was not to #e(

)ow the anu Furaya +ust have re&rette! that they an! the secon! c%an e*$e%%e! ha! not si!e!

with the anu Faynua when 4oha++e! %aunche! his first attac'( $$arent%y there was no

Winston hurchi%%.%i'e %ea!er to warn the three Jewish c%ans: If we !o not han& to&ether, we wi%%

each han& se$arate%y(K

Refusin& the anu ws as +e!iators, 4oha++e! fei&ne! co+$ro+ise #y a$$ointin& SaG!, anra# who was secret%y 4oha++e!Gs acco+$%ice, to !eci!e the fate of the thir! Jewish c%an( SaG!

waite! unti% a%% the anu Furaya +en &ave u$ their wea$ons( hen, as SaG! 'new 4oha++e!

reuire!, he or!ere! every Jewish +an #ehea!e!(

4u%ti$%e una#ashe! 4us%i+ sources varyin&%y !escri#e 4oha++e! hi+se%f $resi!in& over the

#ehea!in& of at %east 500 Jewish +en, five at a ti+e(23 heir #o!ies were #urie! in a %on& !itch(

ther 4us%i+ sources $%ace the nu+#er of Jewish +en s%ain as hi&h as =00( heir wives an!

!au&hters #eca+e se* s%aves for 4us%i+ +en( Jewish #oys not nee!e! for %a#or @or o%! enou&h to

1L


17/21

$erha$s !esire %ater to aven&e the fate of their $arentsB were so%! for $rofit( 4oha++e! seie!

Rihana, wi!ow of one of the Jews he ha! s%ain, an! force! her to #e one of his concu#ines(2C

hus !i! 4oha++e! va%i!ate the JewsG refusa% to acce$t hi+ as a $ro$hetHthen an! forever7

hese are ;ust a few of the vio%ent !ee!s that for+ the conte*t of 10= war verses in the oran()istorian at 9eGor asserts: Durin& his 4e!ina $erio!, 4oha++e! un!ertoo' no %ess than

thirty.ei&ht rai!s(K25

otes

1( 4a*i+e Ro!inson, 4uha++a! @ew

9or': -antheon oo's, 1=A1B, $ 1L1(

2( I can on%y won!er if 4oha++e!Gs

su#seuent a!vocacy of the use of force to

co+$e% conversion to Is%a+, oran 2:25A

notwithstan!in&, can #e trace! #ac' to his

+ista'in& this $ecu%iar %e&en! for an

accurate !escri$tion of !ivine #ehavior(

3( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 1Q5(

C( I#n Warra, Why I + ot a 4us%i+@+herst, 9: -ro+etheus oo's, 1==5B, $(

=2(

5( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 1=L Warra,

Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =L(

L( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 1LA(

A( -ara$hrase! fro+ ewswee' @Ju%y 22,

2002B, n($(

Q( Jean Sasson, Dau&hters of ra#ia

@>on!on: anta+ oo's, 1==CB, $( 20A(

=( hinese Wo+an orce! to Watch /an&

Ra$e an! urnin& Death of )er Sisters,K

June 1==Q, co%or,

htt$:www(co%or(or&hu+anri&htsin!onesiaJa'arta(ht+ @accesse! u&ust 25, 2002B(

10( Jan /oo!win, -rice of )onor: 4us%i+

Wo+en >ift the Vei% of Si%ence on the

Is%a+ic Wor%! @>on!on: Warner oo's,

1==QB, $( 33=(

11( I#i!(

12( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 1LA(

13( Warra, Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =3(

1C( I#i!(

15( I#i!(

1L( I#i!(

1A( I#i!(, $( =C(

1Q( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 1AC Warra,

Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =C(

1=( Warra, Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =C(

20( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 1AC Warra,

Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =C(

21( Warra, Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =C(

22( I#i!(, $( =5(

23( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 213 Warra,

Why I + ot a 4us%i+, $( =L(

2C( Ro!inson, 4uha++a!, $( 213(

25( at 9eGor, Is%a+ an! Dhi++itu!e:Where ivi%iations o%%i!e @ran#ury, J:

ssociate! 8niversity -resses, 2002B, $$(3L.3A(

Secrets of the oran . ha$ter 1=

)-ER 1=

Reviewin& 4i%itant Is%a+

Reaches +erica

1A


18/21

Dr( Danie% -i$es has written an e$ocha% warnin& for +erica( Fuotes fro+ it +ay one !ay #e

inscri#e! in stone in a co++e+orative ha%% in Washin&ton, D(( Its tit%e is 4i%itant Is%a+ Reaches

+erica(1

Dr( -i$es was for+er%y an instructor at the 8niversity of hica&o an! )arvar! 8niversity( )e has

a%so serve! with the 8(S( State De$art+ent an! the De$art+ent of Defense( he author of 10$rior #oo's, he is now !irector of the -hi%a!e%$hia.#ase! 4i!!%e East oru+( )e is a%so a

co%u+nist for #oth the ew 9or' -ost an! the Jerusa%e+ -ost(

irst %et +e e*$%ain what Dr( -i$es !oes not atte+$t in his #oo'( )e !oes not critiue the oran,

as I !o( In a%% his 30= $a&es, I foun! on%y three $hrase%en&th uotes fro+ the oran( or !oes he

c%ose%y e*a+ine 4oha++e!Gs !ee!s an! the evi!ent +otives #ehin! the+Hwith one e*ce$tion(

Dr( -i$es !escri#es a !u#ious strata&e+ re%ate! to the #rea'in& in (D( L30 of a $act 4oha++e!

ha! ratifie! 22 +onths ear%ier with the $eo$%e of 4eccaHthe reaty of )u!ay#iya(

Dr( -i$es !oes not see+ to see the i+$ortance of the Western wor%! confrontin& ra!ica% Is%a+ #y

$u#%ic%y e*$osin& 4oha++e! as a se%f.!iscre!ite! $ro$het an! the oran as a se%f.!iscre!itin&

#oo'( What a sha+e if ra!ica% Is%a+Gs chi%%esG hee%H4oha++e! an! the oranGs weir!se%f!iscre!itation Hshou%! #e waste! as a +eans of se%f.!efense #y the wor%! they threaten(

or !oes Dr( -i$es anywhere +ention the tens of thousan!s of ra!ica% 4us%i+ +a!rasas that are

$rovi!in& +i%itant 4us%i+ %ea!ers with a wea%th of +an$ower resources that +o!erate 4us%i+s!o not have an! are not even intereste! in see'in&(

Dr( -i$es see+s not to have rea! at 9eGor( )e $raises the acco+$%ish+ents of Is%a+ic

civi%iation in $ast centuries as if it was a%% one unifie!, we%%.&overne! E!en(2 )e see+s unaware

of the vio%ence, the 'i!na$$in&s, the hu&e s%ave in!ustry an! the !ire o$$ression throu&h

e*tortionary ta*ation of ca$tive Jews an! hristians !urin& those he%%ish eras( )e i+a&ines that

Is%a+ #eca+e vio%ent%y ra!ica%ie! on%y in this century(

Dr( -i$es o#serves, +i%itant Is%a+ic state is a%+ost #y !efinition a ro&ue state, not $%ayin& #y

any ru%es e*ce$t those of e*$e!iency an! $ower, a ruth%ess institution that causes +isery at ho+e

an! a#roa!( Is%a+ists in char&e +eans that conf%icts $ro%iferate, society is +i%itarie!, arsena%s

&row, an! terroris+ #eco+es an instru+ent of state( ( ( ( Is%a+ists re$ress +o!erate 4us%i+s an!

treat non.4us%i+s as inferior s$eci+ens(K3

%ear%y Dr( -i$es !oes not rea%ie that what he thin's !escri#es on%y a +o!ern Is%a+ist state

$recise%y !escri#es innu+era#%e 4us%i+ ca%i$hates an! su%tanates !own throu&h the centuries7

When Dr( -i$es writes of winnin& the war for the sou% of Is%a+,KC one +ust re$%y, -%ease te%%

us, $rofessorHe*act%y when an! where !i! that Tsou% of Is%a+G ever fin! $o%itica% +anifestation6We nee! to 'now so we can reco&nie an! a$$%au! it if it ever recurs(K

If Dr( -i$esGs sou% of Is%a+K +eans no#%e character in i!ea%istic 4us%i+ in!ivi!ua%s, that is

#e%ieva#%e, #ut that is not a $o%itica% acco+$%ish+ent one can try to !u$%icate( he sa! truth is that

there has never #een even one en!urin& 4us%i+ &overn+ent that can #e cite! as a ro%e +o!e% for

a #eni&n sou% of Is%a+K 'in! of stateHcertain%y not un!er 4oha++e!, nor un!er the ca%i$hs, the

su%tans or any &overn+ent of the 55 4us%i+ nations e*istin& to!ay(

%as, the &oo! $rofessorGs vision of an etherea% yet so+ehow recovera#%e sou% of Is%a+ is on%y a

$i$esG.!rea+(

1Q


19/21

9et in s$ite of the a#ove o+issions, Dr( -i$es stri'es a thun!erous%y %ou! &on&( )e !ocu+ents the

Is%a+ic threat %oo+in& over +erica with start%in& uotes an! %uci! co++ents that swir% %i'e

snowf%a'es in a stor+( In cha$ter 10, I cite! I#n WarraGs uotes fro+ a%i+ Si!!iui, !irector of

>on!onGs 4us%i+ Institute( )ere are so+e of Dr( -i$eGs co++ents a#out the teachin&s of an+erican 4us%i+ activist with a %i'e.soun!in& #ut !ifferent%y s$e%%e! surna+eHSha+i+ (

Si!!ii:

Si!!ii Oin writin&s -i$es fin!s avai%a#%e on Is%a+ic we# sitesP ar&ues that 4us%i+s ta'in& contro%

of the 8nite! States has +ore i+$ortance than such &oa%s as sustainin& the Iranian revo%ution or

!estroyin& Israe%, for it has &reater i+$act u$on the future of Is%a+(5

ther Si!!ii o$inions $ara$hrase! #y -i$es are: o $er+it Is%a+ to attain its ri&htfu% $%ace

reuires that the i!eo%o&y of Is%a+ $revai% over the +enta% horion of the +erican $eo$%e(K ( ( (

Esta#%ishin& +i%itant Is%a+ in +erica wou%! si&na% the triu+$h of O+i%itant Is%a+P ( ( ( over its

on%y riva%, the #un!%e of hristianity an! %i#era%is+ that constitutes Western civi%iation(L

ote that Si!!ii !oes not ta'e )in!uis+, u!!his+, aois+, etc(, as serious%y as hristianity

an! Western %i#era%is+ when it co+es to na+in& riva%s Is%a+ +ust overco+e: +erican4us%i+s ( ( ( have the $ara+ount res$onsi#i%ity of #rin&in& Is%a+ to $ower in their country(A

Si!!ii sees Is%a+ists in $ower in Washin&ton #efore 2020(Q

Dr( -i$es na+es three $ri+ary +eans Is%a+ists in +erica are countin& on to achieve their !rea+

of an Is%a+icie! +erica: i++i&ration, re$ro!uction an! conversion(K= Dr( -i$es uotes Sira;

Wahha;, an inf%uentia% #%ac' convert to Is%a+, as sayin& to a 4us%i+ au!ience in ew Jersey %ate

in 1==2:

If we were unite! an! stron&, weG! e%ect our own e+ir O%ea!erP an! &ive a%%e&iance to hi+( ( ( (

a'e +y wor!, if L.Q +i%%ion 4us%i+s unite in +erica, the country wi%% co+e to us(K If 4us%i+s

were +ore c%ever $o%itica%%y, Wahha; to%! his %isteners, they cou%! ta'e over the 8nite! States an!re$%ace the constitutiona% &overn+ent with a ca%i$hate(10

his fro+ the first 4us%i+ ever invite! to offer an invocationa% $rayer in the 8(S( )ouse of

Re$resentatives7 Doens of si+i%ar a%ar+in& uotes fro+ +erican 4us%i+s resoun! throu&hout

Dr( -i$esGs cha$ters(

Intro!ucin& a cha$ter ca%%e! he 8(S( /overn+ent: -atron of Is%a+6K Dr( -i$es writes, It was

one thin& to hear in!ivi!ua% O$ro.Is%a+icP state+ents #y hi&h &overn+ent officia%s stretchin& #ac'

a !eca!e an! another thin& to co%%ect the+, sort the+, an! $on!er the+( his %atter tas' su&&este!a +ore cohesive an! $owerfu% +essa&e than ha! #een evi!ent fro+ occasiona% re+ar's(K11

Dr( -i$es a!!s that he an! 4i+i Sti%%+an, coauthor of the cha$ter, wrote:

y !is+issin& any connection #etween Is%a+ an! terroris+, co+$%ainin& a#out +e!ia

!istortions, an! c%ai+in& that +erica nee!s Is%a+,K we conc%u!e!, officia% s$o'es+en have

turne! the 8(S( &overn+ent into a !iscreet +issionary for the OIs%a+icP faith(K ssu+in& that is

not their intention, the +essa&e of Othe cha$ter +entione!P is that &overn+ent officia%s shou%! #e

+uch +ore carefu% when they s$ea' a#out Is%a+(12

Dr( -i$es co++ents e%sewhere,

1=


20/21

It was not so %on& a&o that Westerners cou%! converse free%y a#out 4oha++e!, Is%a+, 4us%i+s

an! +i%itant Is%a+, ;ust as they sti%% can a#out $ara%%e% hristian su#;ects( o %on&er( ( ( ( Vio%ence

an! inti+i!ation have shut !own the fran' !iscussion of OIs%a+P( It has reache! the stran&e $oint

that, in a secu%ar, hristian.+a;ority country %i'e the 8nite! States, a #io&ra$her of Jesus has

free!o+ to en&a&e in outra&eous #%as$he+ies whi%e his counter$art wor'in& on 4oha++e! fee%sconstraine! to acce$t the $ious 4us%i+ version of the -ro$hetGs %ife( I $resent this si%encin& as ( ( (

a $otentia% first ste$ towar! the i+$osition of Is%a+ic %aw Oin +ericaP(13

hen co+es Dr( -i$esGs sa!%y +is$%ace! confi!ence that +o!erate 4us%i+s are the 'ni&hts who

+ust so+ehow wa&e i!eo%o&ica% warfare with ra!ica% 4us%i+s for Dr( -i$esGs +ythica% sou% of

Is%a+(K )e a!+its, %thou&h the +o!erates a$$earHan! in fact areHwea', they have a crucia%

ro%e to $%ay, for they a%one can reconci%e Is%a+ with +o!ernity(K1C

E%sewhere Dr( -i$es conce!es, he Internet has hun!re!s of +i%itant Is%a+ic sites #ut few

tra!itiona%%y $ious ones(K15 Sites o$erate! #y +o!erate 4us%i+s, as !istinct fro+ +i%itant or

tra!itiona% ones, are not even +entione!7 Do any e*ist6

t the en! of his to+e, Dr( -i$es reco++en!s that Western !e+ocracies shou%! $in their ho$es

on he%$in& ur'eyH+ost !e+ocratic of a%% 4us%i+ &overn+entsH%aunch a $ro$a&an!a #%it tooffer itse%f as a +o!e% for the esta#%ish+ent of !e+ocratic &overn+ents everywhere in the Is%a+ic

wor%!( )e ac'now%e!&es that ur'ey is far fro+ as'in& to ste$ into the ro%e an! +ay even refuse(

ut even if ur'ey acce$te!, even if ra!ica% 4us%i+s everywhere !ro$$e! their +i%itant a&en!asan! acce$te! Dr( -i$esGs +a;or +erican.%e! $ro$osa%, the oran wou%! sti%% #e there to &enerate

anti.infi!e% hosti%ity in another &eneration( 4oha++e!Gs e*a+$%e of treacherous atrocity wou%!

eventua%%y ins$ire future sa+a #in >a!ens to arise(

We have no a%ternative( We +ust acce$t the so%ution that 4oha++e! hi+se%f unwittin&%y

!ro$$e! in our very %a$sHuse his own wor!s, his own historica% recor! to show that he

!iscre!ite! hi+se%f( We +ust %earn to use uotes fro+ his oran to un!er+ine 4us%i+ confi!ence

in hi+ an! his writin&s( Show the+ that turnin& away fro+ 4oha++e! frees the+ to turn to /o!in truth( his ca%%s for concerte! efforts in winso+e !e#ate #y +i%%ions of non. 4us%i+s

internationa%%y( We in our +i%%ions +ust he%$ +i%%ions of 4us%i+s to see that what Is%a+ %oathes

as the )ouse of WarK is si+$%y the hu+an fa+i%y of which they are an inte&ra% $art7

4oha++e! estran&e! the+ fro+ us( >et us un!o the estran&e+ent( Win 4us%i+s #ac' into the

hu+an fa+i%y un!er /o!7

Notes

1( Danie% -i$es, 4i%itant Is%a+ Reaches+erica @ew 9or': W(W( orton an!

o+$any, 2002B(

2( I#i!(, $$( C, AC(

3( I#i!(, $( 13(

C( I#i!(, n($(

5( I#i!(, $( 11C(

L( I#i!(, $( 11C(

A( I#i!(, $( 115(

Q( I#i!(, $( 122(

=( I#i!(, $( 11Q(

10( I#i!(, $( 112(

20


21/21

11( I#i!(, $( *v(

12( I#i!(, $$( *v.*vi(

13( I#i!(, $$( *vii.*viii(

1C( I#i!(, $( *i*(

15( I#i!(, $( 15(

RECOMMENDED BY THE AUTHOR:

PAT BUCHANAN IS A TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC

The Death Of The West

THE DEATH O5 THE /EST6 Patric31uchanan lucidly #arns of trends thatthreaten to erode and to((le /esternci$ili0ation' E7a"(le6 abortion and otherfactors are (lunin the Caucasian race8sbirthrate belo# its death rate' /e areenocidin oursel$es9 I""irants i"(orted tosustain the #or3 force ha$e birthrates doubleours' Softco$er'

Secrets of the Koran Reviewed

Documents

Transcript of Secrets of the Koran Reviewed