The History of Jihad

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This comprehensive history examines the role of war and terror in the spread of Islam, challenging the common belief that Islam is fundamentally peaceful and that jihad terrorism is a recent phenomenon. Islamic scholar Robert Spencer asserts that Islamic terror has existed since the inception of Islam, tracing its roots back to Muhammad, who claimed, "I have been made victorious through terror." The narrative spans 1,400 years, detailing the jihad against Europe, including the 700-year effort to conquer Constantinople, the prolonged struggle in Spain where non-Muslims resisted invaders, and the devastating jihad in India. The account is enriched by contemporary chroniclers, both Muslim and non-Muslim, illustrating that jihad warfare has been a consistent aspect of Islam from its beginnings. Present-day jihad terrorism is shown to be rooted in the same ideological and theological foundations as historical Islamic warrior states. This work is the first comprehensive English-language history of jihad, revealing the brutal aspects of Islam's past at a time when Islamic jihadis are increasingly assertive in the West. It is essential for understanding the current geopolitical landscape and for developing strategies to reform Islam and combat radical terror.