ASSIGNMENT

SESSION 2013-2018
PH.D
A REVIEW OF THE CRISES OF ISLAM :HOLY WAR
AND UNHOLY TERROR.BY BERNARD LEWIS.

SUPERVISOR NAME
NAME

STUDENT

DR PRO MUHAMMAD
MUHAMMAD RAMZAN
HAMMAD LAKHWI(ASSOSIATE PROFESSOR)
CLASS PH.D

RL NO 11

DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC
STUDIES P.U LAHORE

DEPARTMENT OF ISLAMIC STUDIES PUNJAB

UNIVERSITY LAHORE

A REVIEW OF THE CRISES OF ISLAM

:HOLY WAR AND UNHOLY TERROR.BY
BERNARD LEWIS.

BERNARD LEWIS
INTODUCTION:
Bernard Lewis, FBA (born May 31, 1916) is a
British-American historian specializing in oriental studies who is also known
as a public intellectual and political commentator. He is the Cleveland E.
Dodge Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern Studies at Princeton University.
Lewis' expertise is in the history of Islam and the interaction between Islam
and the West, and is especially famous in academic circles for his works on
the history of the Ottoman Empire.
Lewis served as a soldier in the British Army in the Royal Armoured
Corps and Intelligence Corps during the Second World War before being
seconded to the Foreign Office. After the war, he returned to the School of
Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London and was
appointed to the new chair in Near and Middle Eastern History.
Lewis is a widely read expert on the Middle East, and is regarded as one of
the Wests leading scholars of that region. His advice has been frequently
sought by policymakers, including the Bush administration. In
the Encyclopedia of Historians and Historical Writing, Martin Kramer, whose
Ph.D. thesis was directed by Lewis, considered that, over a 60-year career,
Lewis has emerged as "the most influential postwar historian of Islam and
the Middle East."
Lewis is known for his controversial views on the Armenian Genocide. He is
notable for his public debates with the late Edward Said, concerning the
latter's book Orientalism(1978), which criticized Lewis and other European
Orientalists.

BERNARD LEWISS LIFE:

Bernard Lewis was born to

middle-class Jewish parents in Stoke Newington, London. He became
interested in languages and history while preparing for his bar mitzvah.
Lewis graduated in 1936 from the School of Oriental Studies (now
SOAS, School of Oriental and African Studies) at the University of
London with a B.A. in history with special reference to the Near and Middle
East; and earned his Ph.D. three years later, also from SOAS, specializing in
the history of Islam. Lewis also studied law, going part of the way toward
becoming a solicitor, but returned to study Middle Eastern history. He
undertook post-graduate studies at the University of Paris, where he studied
with the orientalist Louis Massignon and earned the "Diplme des tudes
Smitiques" in 1937. He returned to SOAS in 1938 as an assistant lecturer in
Islamic History.
During the Second World War, Lewis served in the British Army in the Royal
Armoured Corps and as a Corporal in the Intelligence Corps in 1940
41, before being seconded to the Foreign Office. After the war, he returned to
SOAS, and in 1949, at the age of 33, he was appointed to the new chair in
Near and Middle Eastern History.
In 1974, aged 57, Lewis accepted a joint position at Princeton University and
the Institute for Advanced Study, also located in Princeton, New Jersey. The
terms of his appointment were such that Lewis taught only one semester per
year, and being free from administrative responsibilities, he could devote
more time to research than previously. Consequently, Lewis's arrival at
Princeton marked the beginning of the most prolific period in his research
career during which he published numerous books and articles based on the
previously accumulated materials. In addition, it was in the U.S. that Lewis
became a public intellectual. Upon his retirement from Princeton in 1986,
Lewis served at Cornell University until 1990.
Lewis has been a naturalized citizen of the United States since 1982. He
married Ruth Hlne Oppenhejm in 1947 with whom he had a daughter and
a son before the marriage was dissolved in 1974.
In 1966, Lewis was a founding member of the learned society, Middle East
Studies Association of North America (MESA), but in 2007, he broke away
and founded Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA)
to challenge MESA, which the New York Sun noted as "dominated by
academics who have been critical of Israel and of America's role in the
Middle East." The organization was formed as an academic society dedicated
to promoting the highest standards of research and teaching in Middle
Eastern and African studies, and related fields, with Lewis as Chairman of its
academic council.

In 1990 the National Endowment for the Humanities selected Lewis for
the Jefferson Lecture, the U.S. federal government's highest honor for
achievement in the humanities. His lecture, entitled "Western Civilization: A
View from the East," was revised and reprinted in The Atlantic Monthly under
the title "The Roots of Muslim Rage." His 2007 Irving Kristol Lecture, given to
the American Enterprise Institute, was published as Europe and Islam 1

INTRODUCTION OF ORIENTALISM
History of the world shows paganism always remained against
Islam but it faced failure. When it feels weakness in fighting face
to face paganism adopts the way of conspiracies, After crusades
paganism changed its policy and disguised itself in form of
Orientalism. This movement tried to deface Muslims and Islamic
teaching under pretence of knowledge and research and to some
extent, succeeded, On one side Orientalists admitted
authenticity and truth of Quran and Sunnah ,and on the other
hand they created confusion and tried to hit basic Islamic sources
in order to create several debates about Islamic basic sources.
Bernard Lewis is one of these Orientalist . He has same thinking
and ideology. In his book THE CRISIS OF ISLAM :Holy War and
Unholy Terror, he raises many question about Islam and its

political and other systems. This book has nine chapters,. In this
assignment I shall try to review the said book.

CHAPTER 1: Defining Islam

In this chapter Bernard Lewis has discussed political and social system
of Islam and admitted that Islam has been the political, social, and cultural
super power of the world but along this he says that Islam has lost its glory
since the last three centuries. That is why problems are popping up for the
Islamic world. According to Bernard Lewis Islam and Christianity are sisters.
They have many common attributes yet there are differences too. While
praising the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), he disrespectfully accuses him of
collecting taxes like general monarchs of the world. As he Says:

He admires the companions of Mohammad (PBUH) that they managed

He also admires skillful management of Holy Prophet(PBHU). He admits
Islam is a religion as other religions. He states different characteristics and
qualities of Islam. He is of the view that Christianity as an ancient religion
and through discussion tries to favor Christianity. .
Bernard Lewis is of the view that there are several
groups of the fundamentalists that are supported by different states and
governments. He presents the example of the Revolution of Iran in his view
all the fundamentalists have a common mission and that is to fight the
West.
The conclusion derived at the end of this chapter is also confusing. On
one hand he says that majority of Muslims are peace loving and aspire for
friendly relations with the West but on the other hand he is of the view that
fundamentalists are hostile and danger for the West. This is how he
supports the West. Then he also concludes that Muslims consider the
West their enemy and they cooperate with the West only for their own
purpose that is to gain political power. He asks West to be conscious. As he
says:

Chapter 2: House of the war

In this chapter Bernard Lewis gives concept of Jihad
in Islam but he can not understand the real meanings of Jihad in Islam. In his
view Jihad is only fight against the enemies of Islam and Muslims. To describe
the literal and contextual meanings of Jihad he refers to the Quran
commandments that the Jihad practically started among Salalah.
The companions of Mohammad (PBUH) refer to Surah Infal,
commandment 41-72. He says that Islam permits Jihad against four kinds of
people.
1. Infidels

2. The Apostate

3. Rebels

4. Dacoits

Perhaps this perception is not fully correct.

Islam does not permit to every individual to fight against every infidel or
dacoit.
He says that during the last fourteen centuries, the military force was named
as Jihad. He explains an importance of Jihad by giving reference from the
Quran and Hadith . But conclusions drawn by Bernard Lewis is wonderful as
he says that the purpose of Jihad is to extend the state and rule or establish
the government over the Arab world.
He admits the success of the Muslims which they attained in a short
span of time.
Bernard Lewis says that Jihad has lost its glory in the present day
world. Only Military force has become the symbol of dignity. The Palestinian
and Kashmiri Jihad activists are degrading the dignity of Jihad. As he says:

The author employs contrariety and force admits that Jihad has not
always meant aggravation. Author is of the view that all countries were
attained through force and Jihad. Perhaps this is wrong perception of the
author .On the other hand the author admits that the Christians and Jews
were allowed to lead their lives according to their own religion at the cost of
a tax JIZYA. As he says:

CHAPTER NO 3: From Crusaders to Imperialists

In this chapter Bernard Lewis criticizes the
social and economical agreements of Muslim countries with western
countries He raises a question mark on these agreements as his opinion the
Muslims are doing such agreements to their sole purpose that is to regain
their lost rule (governments).In his opinion Muslims are not sincere with the
west they have their own interests in these agreements. He shows happiness
on the success of Christian and failure of the Muslims . As he expresses his
view:

He describes the economic progress of the Christian countries. He says that

the Muslim traders also became the beneficiaries of Christian economic
world. Their products began to be exported to the west but the Muslims
could not understand as to how the west attained the economic and political

domination in a short span of time. Europeans entered the last as traders

and carved its political claws there. This entry completed in different phases.
He describes the uses and abuses of the interference of Europe in the
Middle East. But Bernard Lewis is of the view that this interference started as
a result of Sadams dictatorship and the Iran Revolution. As his views are:

Bernard Lewis in the view that the disintegration of the Soviet Union
makes the fundamentalists believe that they have defeated Russia. Similarly
they can easily defeat the Super Power of today. He thinks this is farcical.

Chapter 4:Discovering America

In this chapter Bernard Lewis describes the initial conditions of the
relations of the Muslim Countries with the U.S. He admits that in the early
when the Muslims were in power, the American teachers, traders, and
Scholars used to go the Muslim Institutes to attain educational and
commercial experience. While the Muslim world also tried to discover and
understand America. Then he expresses his surprise upon the hatred
against America by the Muslims. This astonishment reveals the sympathy of
Bernard Lewis for west.
He raises the question that once America was a friend of the Muslim
world but how did very soon the US became the representation of the
evils? As his views are:

Bernard Lewis himself gives the answer of this question that majority
of Muslims consider west there enemy, Because Muslims are in the opinion
that west wants to exert pressure particularly on the Middle East to procure
its purposes and to acquire complete control of their natural resources which
is sole mission of U.S. He gives the reason of Muslim and west enmity that is
leadership of Syed Qutub who is leader of fundamentalists . Syed Qutub
was deadly against the west and western style of life.
Bernard Lewis concluded that Syed Qutub poisoned the minds of the
fundamentalists against America. This is the reason of hatred of Muslims
against the Americans society. Muslims used the term GREAT SATAN for
America.

Chapter 5: Satan and Soviet

In this chapter Bernard Lewis is of the view of second
reason of enmity between Muslim world and west is Israeli state. The
Muslims claim and express grievances that the US is supporting the Israel. In
this regard sufficient evidences are present . Result of this support is Irani
revolution. During this revolution the Pro-American people were expelled
from Iran. Bernard Lewis seems to support Israel as he gives undue
importance to Israel

He also criticizes the American policy toward the Iraq and Iran
dictatorship, on the other hand he admires the political system of Israel
(indirectly Bernard Lewis supports the Israeli State) and admires the
democratic system in Israel. Bernard Lewis expresses that after collapse of
soviet union American policy has change toward middle east that is to
establish monopolistic control of middle eastern oil and resources. The
Muslim world is well aware of American intension so Muslims are making
some new alliances with other countries.

CHAPTER 6: Double Standard

In this chapter Bernard Lewis apparently discusses double standard of
the west and specially America toward Middle East . This double standard of
the West has created a great gap between west and Middle East. The people
of Middle East consider themselves inferior to the people of the West.
Bernard Lewis compares the western life style to the Eastern life style. In his
view there is hell of difference in their life standards .The people in the
Middle East consider that the West has committed extreme human rights
violations, in Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Vietnam, etc. On the other hand West
accuses the Muslim that they cannot run the democracy smoothly as a
political system. Their political leaders are involved in corruption. While
America and the West support their dictators to procure their rested interests
and they fight against those who do not fulfill their requirements for example

Sadam Hussain. The US and Europeans support Saudi Arabia for their own
interests. Therefore, the US is not concerned for the common people of any
country,

He points out the atrocities committed in Iraq and the double

standards in Syria. Bernard Lewis gives his opinion toward double standard of
America . In his view America has no interest in democracy or dictatorship.
Americans support only the system/person which or who suit them and
protect their political and economical interest .

Chapter 7: Failure of Modernity

In this chapter author describes the Economic
decline of Muslims. He compares the condition of the Muslim countries
particularly the Arab countries with the west. He compares the politic,
economic, education, and research conditions with that of the west and
concludes that the Muslims are far behind the West. Muslim countries are
facing diseases like poverty, unemployment, restlessness etc. It is notable
that the author wishes to reflect the superiority of the west and the
inferiority of the Muslim countries.

Indirectly, he wants to conclude that in this new world of globalization

the Muslims have completely failed. Democracy has failed as a political
system in Muslim countries while dictatorship has been succeeded . None of
their leader has attained worthwhile fame. Similarly the author describes the
educational decline of the Muslims, he supports his views by the graph and
figures as :-

He connects terrorism to the economic, political, and educational

failure in Muslim countries. Author connects the 09/11 incident to the Arab
world. He is of the view that those terrorists came from the Saudi Arabia .
(Author has blamed Saudi Arabia without giving any solid evidences). While
09/11 incident is controversial incident. It is separate debate whether
Muslims or Jews were responsible. It is proven fact that the 09/11 incident
was a very well conceived and deliberate drama staged be the western
countries. This reveals biased approach of author.
Chapter 8: Marriage of Saudi power and Wahabi teaching
In this chapter Bernard Lewis expresses reasons of terrorism and
effects of Wahabi teachings in the world. According to Bernard Lewis Muslim
world has badly failed to accept modernization. Therefore, the
fundamentalists got the opportunity and such movements started. Bernard
Lewis gives example of Wahabi movement. According to Bernard Lewis this
movement of pure fundamentalists which belong to Saudi Arabia This
movement was greatest movement of 20th century. All Saudi laws were made
according to the Wahabi thoughts and teachings . Wahabi leaders hold that
the decline of the Muslims is due to deflection from Islamic teaching and

principles and adoption of Western life style. Particularly, the rulers of Muslim
countries are the representatives of the West.

Chapter 9: Rise of the Terrorism

In this chapter he discusses terrorism, its root causes, and
consequences all over the world. He connects all the terrorist activities in the
world to the Muslims, and attempts to prove that 09/11 and other such
incidents have connections with Islamic world because the Muslim consider
the West their enemy in general and the US as particular. Therefore, they
hate the Western World. He calls terrorist. to all Islamic Organizations or
movements He discusses the Verdicts of Ayat-ullah Khumani and tries to
prove that it is illegal, immoral, and un-Islamic. Bernard Lewis criticize Ayatullah Khumani and defends Salman Rushdi He proves terrorism among
Muslims and negates it in the west. Bernard Lewis also holds that different
Muslims groups commit terrorism derived by their personal interests. They
use the name of Islam. They ignore the Quran and the teaching of the
Prophet (P.B.U.H) and their only mission is to establish their dominance on
the world and create fear among people. As he says:

As evidence Bernard Lewis explains that in earlier these terrorists

targeted political leaders and statesmen and then the public places were
targeted to spread terror. He refers to the Hadith to explain that, suicidal
attacks are illegal. He evidently connects 09/11 to Osama Bin Laden and the
Arab World yet he uses the term fundamentalists for them and suggests
the West to wage war against them. He calls the enlightened Muslims their
friends while the other their enemies.
In the end, he also admits that the Majority Muslims are peace loving
but ends his book on the question that the Muslims have to decide whether
they want to be terrorists or peace loving? Because if Osama and his
followers succeed them the world will be doomed. As his views are:

In nutshells The Crisis of Islam is not a research oriented book. In fact,

it is a book of history in which very innocently the history has been portrayed

criminally wrong. It is an attempt to degrade Islam as a religion. No other

religion has been criticized by the author Christianity, Judaism and the west
has been justified whether directly or in directly. Islam graded as equal to
Christianity and Supremacy of Islam has not been accepted nor
acknowledge. All Muslims movements which started as the reaction of
atrocities committed by the Christian and Jews have been named
Terrorists. The West has been supported in all its spirits while Islam has
been represented as the enemy of the West and attempts have been made
to terrorize the world from the Muslims.
A deep study of the book reveals the superficial research, Contrariety,
and biased approach of the Author. He has proved his honesty by portraying
the wrong image of Jihad and connecting terrorisms to the Muslim World and
by saying that Islam and Muslim are a danger for the world.
The author calls friend to only those Muslims who have adopted
western style of life while remaining all Muslims are enemy of the west. He
has discussed term JIHAD by giving references from Holy Quran Sunnah but
he has not clear concept of JIHAD .He discussed war against nonMuslims(KUFFAR MAKKAH)but did not give actual reason of these wars . The
author only tried his best to prove that the purpose of these wars was only to
extend state power further he totally ignored the MAKKI life of
PROPHET(S.A.W). Moreover he has not mentioned about the said wars by
which party these wars were initiated. Which shows bias approach of the
author

REFERENCE
1.Bernard Lewis, retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Lewis
on 29-4-14
2.Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p. 5 ,Phoenix Orion Books Ltd ,2003,UK.
3. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p. 24
4, Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.31
5. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.39
6. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.45
7. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.52-53
8. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.54

9. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.59

10. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam ,p.81
11. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.92
12. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.99
13. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.100
14. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.115
15. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.125
16. Bernard Lewis, The Crisis of Islam, p.140