The Quest for the Historical Muhammad [Anglais] [Relié]

Warraq, author of Why I Am Not a Muslim, here offers a "quest for the historical Muhammad" using the same methodology established by scholars attempting to uncover the historical Jesus. Applying this approach to determine if early traditions about Muhammad and the birth of Islam are historically accurate, Warraq predictably finds that the faith tradition cannot support the historian's demanding gaze. For example, Warraq argues that the centrality of Muhammad himself (as the prophet of God, author of the Qu'ran and focal point of Islamic culture) did not emerge until at least two centuries after the death of the historical Muhammad. Warraq's subtext is significantly unlike the Jesus Seminar's similar work, in which historians who are also Christians struggle to sort out the ways that historical methodology may illuminate and enliven the faith tradition. As his earlier titles suggest, this is not the work of a Muslim in radical dialogue with his faith. Under the guise of scholarly objectivity, Warraq wages a vigorous attack on the traditions of Islam. Biases notwithstanding, there is also much useful scholarship here; not only has Warraq provided a highly readable critical survey of the literature of this quest, he has also collected the most important texts needed to begin a more objective evaluation of Islam's sacred tradition. The reader's task is to sort the polemic from the scholarship. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This anthology of writings on Muhammad and early Islam "can be seen as an implicit criticism of this optimistic view of our historical evidence for the rise of early Islam." Rather than being a quest, as the title suggests, this work attempts to refute the traditional view and legitimacy of Islam and its founder. Contradictory statements concerning how much historical material is available on the life of Muhammad range from an overwhelming amount to practically none at all. The book, edited by Warraq (Why I Am Not a Muslim), readily admits to the anti-Islamic bias of some of its contributors. For example, Henri Lammens, who authored three chapters, is described as one who had "a holy contempt for Islam." Lammens himself refers to the Qur'an as an "infinitely shabby journal." Although very scholarly, this work is not balanced and is sure to cause a good deal of controversy in the Muslim world. Not recommended.
-Michael W. Ellis, Ellenville P.L., NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

In the past century, the quest for the historical Jesus and the sources of Christian beliefs has become a growth industry. Unfortunately, there has been relatively scant historical research into the sources of Islamic belief and the character of Muhammad. The few historians who have ventured into that field have generally accepted traditional accounts of Muhammad's life and of his direct authorship of the basic tenets of the Koran. Warraq, who is clearly skeptical of that view, has compiled a revisionist anthology that questions many of the basic assumptions about early Islam. Some essays question Muhammad's authorship of the Koran, and others deny key "historical" facts about his life. Warraq provides a detailed description of sources and definitions of key terms; however, this is a technical, scholarly collection that will challenge and perhaps overwhelm nonspecialists. For those with a strong interest and background in Islamic studies, this work is a provocative and necessary read. Jay Freeman

"Those with experience with academic works or with a strong interest in Islam should make a point of reading it."

"...useful for research scholars..."

Ibn Warraq presents this important anthology of the best critical studies of Muhammad and early Islam ranging from the very beginnings of Islamic Studies in the nineteenth century to contemporary research. Both in his selection of essays and in his introduction, Warraq makes it clear that some very serious scholarly and scientific controversies lie at the heart of Islam. First, the Koran itself, the Muslim sacred scripture and the foundation of Islamic culture, is called into question as the basis for objective historical knowledge of Muhammad. Some scholars have also questioned the reliability of most of the other early Arabic documents that supposedly attest to events in the life of Muhammad and his followers. Was the Koran dictated by Muhammad at all? Was it actually compiled earlier than a hundred years after the Prophet's death? How much of Muslim sacred tradition, in the light of objective historical analysis, must be dismissed as unreliable hearsay? ! ! Were the motives of the first Muslim conquerors during the Jihad truly religious in nature or largely mercenary? These disturbing questions, long suppressed throughout the history of Islamic scholarship, are here raised in these erudite and thoroughly researched essays by noted scholars.

Ibn Warraq is the author of Why I Am Not a Muslim and the editor of The Origins of the Koran: Classic Essays on Islam's Holy Book.