al-Rasul fi Uyun Gharbiya Munsifa
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- Editions
- Dar Al-Kitab Al-Arabi
al-Rasul fi Uyun Gharbiya Munsifa (The Messenger ﷺ in Objective Western Eyes) is a contemporary Arabic work by Husayn Husayni Maadi examining Western perspectives on the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, contrasting historical and modern distortions with fair and appreciative testimonies from Western thinkers, historians, and orientalists.
Purpose and Themes
The author aims to demonstrate that despite deep-seated anti-Islamic prejudice and distorted depictions inherited across centuries in Western culture, numerous European and Western philosophers, writers, and scholars acknowledged the greatness, moral character, and historical impact of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The book addresses recurring media and intellectual attacks against the Prophet, argues that such hostility has long roots rather than being purely contemporary, and compiles constructive ways for Muslims to defend the Prophet's legacy and present an accurate image of Islam.
Structure and Contents
The book was proofread and revised by Taha Abd al-Ra'uf Sa'd and is organized into four main chapters along with an introduction, dedication, and concluding sections:
- Chapter One: Offending the Messenger ﷺ is an Ancient Western Obsession (al-Ihsah lil-Rasul hawas gharbi qadim): Traces the history of Western intellectual antagonism toward Islam and its Prophet over eight centuries, examines underlying causes of hostility in Western thought, discusses the pretext of freedom of expression versus crusader mentalities, and presents admissions by Western observers.
- Chapter Two: The Messenger ﷺ in Objective Western Eyes (al-Rasul fi uyun gharbiya munsifa): Gathers statements, analyses, and praises by prominent Western intellectuals, historians, and orientalists—such as Thomas Carlyle, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Alphonse de Lamartine, Leo Tolstoy, William Muir, Émile Dermenghem, Edouard Montet, and Henri de Castries—who recognized the Prophet's sincerity, leadership, and enduring impact.
- Chapter Three: How We Confront Campaigns Distorting the Prophet's Image in the West (Kayfa nuwajihu hamalat tashwih surat al-Nabi fil-Gharb): Analyzes who defends the Prophet today, proposes strategies to combat defamatory campaigns, outlines "One Hundred Ways to Support al-Mustafa ﷺ," and calls for unified responses.
- Chapter Four: Get to Know Your Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Ta'arraf ala nabiyyik Muhammad): Provides essential information regarding the Prophet's life, outlines his physical characteristics and moral virtues, and lists one hundred unique attributes distinctive to him among the prophets.
The volume closes with general reflections, an epilogue, and a bibliography of Arabic references.
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