Ibn Warraq Books

Ibn Warraq explores the historical novels of Sir Walter Scott, offering a critical examination of their portrayal of Saladin and the Crusades. By comparing Scott's narratives with Arab sources and biographers, Warraq highlights discrepancies and enriches the understanding of this historical period. Additionally, he engages with various scholars to provide a comprehensive perspective on the Crusades and the scholarship surrounding them, enhancing the reader's appreciation of the literature's influence on historical perceptions.

Exploring the intersection of Islam and the West, this collection features a mix of insightful and provocative essays by a renowned author. It begins with a personal reflection on his English upbringing and includes critical analyses of the Koran, challenging traditional beliefs about the afterlife. The author addresses the totalitarian aspects of contemporary political Islam and the possibility of an Islamic Reformation. Concluding with journalistic pieces, the collection covers topics from cultural critiques to the Danish cartoon controversy, appealing to both new and longtime readers.

"For anyone with an interest in the early history of Islam, this erudite anthology will prove to be informative and enlightening.Scholars have long known that the text of the Koran shows evidence of many influences from religious sources outside Islam. For example, stories in the Koran about Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other characters from the Bible obviously come from the Jewish Torah and the Christian Gospels. But there is also evidence of borrowing in the Koran from more obscure literature. In this anthology, the acclaimed critic of Islam Ibn Warraq has assembled scholarly articles that delve into these unusual, little-known sources. The contributors examine the connections between pre-Islamic poetry and the text of the Koran; and they explore similarities between various Muslim doctrines and ideas found in the writings of the Ebionites, a Jewish Christian sect that existed from the second to the fourth centuries. Also considered is the influence of Coptic Christian literature on the writing of the traditional biography of Muhammad."

"First published in 1995, Why I Am Not A Muslim is Ibn Warraq's personal statement of the reasons for his departure from Islam"--Provided by publisher

"This is the first systematic critique of Edward Said's influential work Orientalism, a book that for almost three decades has received wide acclaim in both the East and the West, voluminous commentary by scholars, and translation into more than fifteen languages." "In this thorough reconsideration of Said's famous work, Ibn Warraq argues that Said's case against the West is seriously flawed. Warraq accuses Said of not only willfully misinterpreting the work of many scholars but also of systematically misrepresenting Western civilization as a whole. With example after example, Warraq shows that from the time of the ancient Greeks, Western civilization has always had a strain in its very makeup that accepted non-Westerners and has always been open to foreign ideas. Warraq also criticizes Said for inadequate methodology, incoherent arguments, and a faulty understanding of history. He points out not only Said's tendentious interpretations but also historical howlers that would make a sophomore blush."--Jacket

Ibn Warraq challenges prevailing misconceptions about Islamic terrorism, asserting that understanding the beliefs of jihadists is crucial. He contends that terrorist acts are not random violence but strategic operations by educated Muslims aiming to establish an Islamic state governed by Shari'a. Warraq traces the roots of this phenomenon back to the seventh century, emphasizing that it is deeply intertwined with Islamic theology and history. He analyzes the writings of influential Islamic thinkers, revealing how their ideas inform contemporary jihadist motivations.

Proposes to examine the implementation of Islamic law - the Sharia - and its potential and actual threat to democratic principles. This book defines and defends Western values, strengths and freedoms often taken for granted. This book also tackles the taboo subjects of racism in Asian culture, Arab slavery, and Islamic Imperialism.

Ibn Warraq ve své knize Proč nejsem muslim předkládá hořkou pravdu o islámu, aniž by se snažil ji nějak přislazovat. Je vzdělaný a celá jeho kniha je dobře doložena. Pouští se do západních intelektuálů, kteří namísto aby odsoudili Chomejního příkaz k zavraždění Salmana Rushdieho, raději kritizovali Rushdieho knihu Satanské verše, protože nebyla ?politicky korektní? Warraq hovoří o tom, jak se islám od časů Muhammada až do dnes špatně chová k menšinám, filozofům i ženám. Islám ve své historii nepronásledoval jen židy, ale také křesťany, zoroastrovci, hinduisty a v nedávné době také ahmedovce, stoupence bahá?ismu a další menšiny v Pákistánu, Íránu, Iráku, Indii, Sýrii a všude jinde, kde je islám u moci.