Hisan Turuwada al-Ghara al-Fikriyya ala al-Diyar al-Sunniyya
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- Editions
- Dar al-Qumari
Hisan Turuwada: al-Ghara al-Fikriyya ala al-Diyar al-Sunniyya (The Trojan Horse: The Intellectual Raid on the Sunni Lands) is a contemporary theological and critical study by Amr Kamil Umar, completed in 1431 AH (2010 CE), examining contemporary political, religious, and sectarian pressures targeting Sunni Islam .
Background and Composition
The author commenced writing the book in Cairo on the afternoon of Thursday, 24 Muharram 1427 AH (23 February 2006 CE) and concluded it in Alexandria on Tuesday, 10 Dhu al-Hijja 1431 AH (16 November 2010 CE) . The research spanned five years of investigating references and primary sources .
Umar framed the book around the metaphor of the Trojan horse, warning that the Sunni community faces covert ideological assaults disguised as calls for dialogue and unity, primarily stemming from Western/Christian agendas and Iranian/Twelver Shi'ite expansion .
Structure and Contents
The book is arranged into an introduction, two main parts divided into three chapters each, and a conclusion :
Part One: "A Roman Horse" (Hīṣān Rūmī)
This part investigates Western, Christian, and Zionist interactions with the Muslim world :
- Chapter One (Al-Maslak al-Mukhtar li-Da'wat al-Hiwar): Analyzes the linguistic and ideological development of the term "dialogue" (حوار), explores the underlying political motives behind interfaith dialogue and evangelism, outlines the parameters of permissible Islamic dialogue, and discusses initiatives for rapprochement between Sunnis and Twelver Shi'is .
- Chapter Two (Bayna Urbanat al-Madi wa-al-Hadir): Discusses Western perspectives on Islam and Muslims, tracing historical and ideological continuities from the Crusades to modern policies .
- Chapter Three (Al-Sahyuniyya, Ru'ya Mughayira): Offers a critical analysis of Jewish-Christian relations, framing Zionism as a modern extension of Crusader ideology rather than merely a global conspiracy, and explains their shared ideological opposition to Islam .
Part Two: "A Persian Horse" (Hīṣān Fārisī)
Adopting a combined historical and theological method, this part examines Twelver Shi'ism (Imamiyya/Rafida) :
- Chapter One (Tashayyu' am Rafd? Waqfa Tarikhiyya Ta'siliyya): Traces the historical progression of Shi'ism from early political factionalism to theological divergence, addresses distortions of early Islamic history, defines the concept of companionship (صحبة), and details Islamic rulings regarding reviling the Prophet's companions (Sahaba) .
- Chapter Two (Aqidat Ahl al-Madhhab al-Fiqhi al-Khamis): Reviews core Twelver doctrines using their authoritative texts, rejects claims that Twelver Shi'ism is simply a "fifth school of jurisprudence", presents Shi'ite textual evidence of amicable ties between the Sahaba and the Prophet's household (Ahl al-Bayt), and surveys classical and late Sunni scholarly evaluations of the sect .
- Chapter Three (Shubuhat wa-Rududuha): Provides systematic refutations of major Shi'ite arguments, focusing on claims regarding the imamate of Ali ibn Abi Talib and criticisms of the integrity ('adala) of the Sahaba .
Reception and Publication
The author received feedback and support during the drafting process from Dr. Muhammad Yusri Salama (1974–2013 CE), particularly regarding the first part, who described it as an excellent research work . Shaykh Ahmad al-Sisi penned an endorsement (taqriz) on 21 Jumada al-Ula 1432 AH (24 April 2011 CE), commending its comprehensive five-year research and recommending its reading .
The first edition was published by Dar al-Affani . Dr. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Sharif advised the author to abridge and refine the work, but Umar maintained its extended detail to serve as a comprehensive reference source, later releasing a revised edition finalized on 13 Safar 1435 AH (16 December 2013 CE) .
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