The Spirit of Islam: A History of the Evolution and Ideals of Islam, with a Life of the Prophet


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Syed Ameer Ali was a prominent Indian jurist, author and political leader during the British Raj. In The Spirit of Islam he draws on his broad knowledge of Western historical research and Islamic sources to highlight the enlightened and socially progressive tendencies in the Islamic tradition. Some parts of the book counter the Orientalist scholarship of the time, which was largely hostile to Islam, while others articulate the author's vision of Islam as a modern faith.

Pronunciation note: the Arabic words and names found in the text are pronounced based on their native form, rather than the spelling used by the author, which reflects Persian and Indian pronunciation. (Summary by Kazbek)

Chapters

Preface 9:54 Read by Kazbek
Introduction. The continuity of religious development--Bactria (Balkh) supposed to be the original seat of the human race--Dispersion of the races--Fetishism and Pantheism--The Eastern and Western Aryans--The Assyrians--Babylon and the Jews--Hinduism 38:25 Read by Kazbek
Introduction, continued. Zoroastrianism--The Cult of Isis and of Mythra--Judaism--Christianity 45:32 Read by Kazbek
Introduction, continued. Gnosticism--Manicheism--Degradation of the earlier creeds 35:28 Read by Kazbek
Introduction, continued. The tribes of Arabia, their origin, their diversity of culture and religious conceptions--Idolatry among the Arabs--The folklore of Arabia--The advent of Mohammed, a necessity of religious development 46:23 Read by Kazbek
Part I. The Life and Ministry of the Prophet. Chapter I. Mohammed the Prophet 44:46 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter I. Mohammed the Prophet (continued) 57:43 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter I. Mohammed the Prophet (continued) 17:25 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter II. The Hegira 26:30 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter III. The Prophet at Medina 14:07 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter IV. Hostility of the Koreish and the Jews 28:45 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter V. The Invasion of Medina 50:41 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter VI. The Prophet's Clemency 23:29 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter VII. The Diffusion of the Faith 22:58 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter VIII. The Year of Deputations 24:28 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter IX. Fulfilment of the Prophet's Work 40:37 Read by Kazbek
Part I. Chapter X. The Apostolical Succession 32:36 Read by Kazbek
Part II. The Spirit of Islam. Chapter I. The Ideal of Islam 1:05:01 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter II. The Religious Spirit of Islam 50:09 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter II. The Religious Spirit of Islam (continued) 36:46 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter III. The Idea of Future Life in Islam 45:41 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter IV. The Church Militant of Islam 51:02 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter V. The Status of Women in Islam 57:26 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter V. The Status of Women in Islam (continued) 51:10 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VI. Bondage (Slavery) 31:29 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VII. The Political Spirit of Islam 29:50 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VII. The Political Spirit of Islam (continued) 34:44 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII. The Political Divisions and Schisms of Islam. From their origins to the usurpation of Mu'awiyah 32:10 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The butchery of Kerbela--The triumph of paganism--The sack of Medina 19:55 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The rise of the Abbasides--The origin of the Sunni Church--Mâmûn 25:37 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). Shiaism--Sunnism--The question of the Imâmate 25:18 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The principal Shiah sects 28:35 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The Paulicians--The doctrine of Abdullah ibn-Maimun al-Kaddah 22:15 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The Grand Lodge of Cairo--The assassins of Alamut 25:09 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The Ithna-`Asharias divided into Usulis and Akhbaris 18:38 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The Sunnis divided into Hanafis, Malikis, Shafeis, and Hanbalis 15:02 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter VIII (continued). The Kharijis--Babism 15:03 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter IX. The literary and scientific spirit of Islam 59:43 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter IX. The literary and scientific spirit of Islam (continued) 30:59 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter IX. The literary and scientific spirit of Islam (continued) 45:48 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter X. The rationalistic and philosophical spirit of Islam 43:21 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter X. The rationalistic and philosophical spirit of Islam (continued) 46:00 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter X. The rationalistic and philosophical spirit of Islam (continued) 46:01 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter X. The rationalistic and philosophical spirit of Islam (continued) 34:16 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter XI. Idealistic and mystical spirit of Islam 41:47 Read by Kazbek
Part II. Chapter XI. Idealistic and mystical spirit of Islam (continued) 33:06 Read by Kazbek