History of Muslim Rule : The Prophet and the Early Rulers

Contents: 1. Arabia and the Arabs. 2. Makka: the cradle of Islam. 3. The prophet and his mission. 4. Madina: the capital of the first Muslim state. 5. War and peace. 6. Some unique achievements of the prophet. 7. The golden age. 8. Revolts and civil wars. 9. Political transformation and legacy.

"With more than thirty-year teaching experience of "Islamic History" at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Dr. Muhammad Zaki, has brought out this well-documented "History of Muslim Rule- the prophet and the early rulers". It is an excellent scholarly work, that deals with the most important and formative period of the political history of the Muslims. The author has described the establishment of the first Muslim state by the prophet, its expansion and evolution of the administrative principles and institutions during the fifty years after the prophet. He has presented historical facts, without myths, legends, doubtful traditions and reports. He has, carefully and with due respect, dealt with some of the sensitive issues like the differences among the companions of the prophet and the devastating Civil Wars. He has also discussed some of the controversial topics like "Apostleship and Kingship", the office of "the Caliph and the Pious Caliphate", and "Religion and Politics in Islam". The views, arguments, and conclusions of the learned author seem to be correct and sound as they are generally based on the Quran and on historical facts, which have not seriously been disputed.

The students of "Islamic History", scholars and political thinker swill welcome and benefit from this thought provoking work." (jacket)