Book Description

The Islamic Openings (Al-Fatuhât Al-Islâmiyah) is a comprehensive historical account of the various military campaigns conducted by the early Muslims to spread Islam across the world. Written by Abdul Aziz Al-Shinnawy and translated by Heba Samir Hendawi, this book offers a unique perspective on the Islamic conquests, challenging the traditional notion of “conquest” and instead using the term “opening” to describe the Muslims’ efforts to invite people to Islam.

The book is divided into twelve chapters, each focusing on a specific region that was “opened” by the Muslims. The first chapter, “The Opening of Makkah,” details the events leading up to the Muslims’ victory over the Quraish in their own city. The author provides a detailed account of the battles, negotiations, and treaties that took place between the two sides, highlighting the strategic decisions made by the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

One important event that is discussed in this chapter is the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, which was signed between the Muslims and the Quraish in the year 6 A.H. The treaty was based on a period of truce, during which both sides agreed to abstain from fighting for ten years. This treaty proved to be a turning point in the Muslims’ struggle to spread Islam, as it gave them the opportunity to focus on other regions while maintaining peace with their enemies in Makkah.

The subsequent chapters of the book focus on other regions that were “opened” by the Muslims, including Iraq, Al-Mada’in, Al-Sham, Jerusalem, Egypt, Alexandria, Persia, Khurasan, North Africa, Cyprus, Constantinople, and Andalusia. In each chapter, the author provides a detailed account of the battles, strategies, and leaders involved in the campaigns, as well as the impact of the Muslim conquests on the local populations.

Throughout the book, the author challenges the traditional notion of “conquest” and emphasizes the Muslims’ efforts to invite people to Islam. The concept of jizyah, a tax imposed on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule, is also discussed in detail, with the author providing a nuanced understanding of its purpose and implementation.

The book also includes a section on notes on the translation, where the translators explain their decision to use the term “opening” instead of “conquest,” as well as the challenges they faced in transliterating unfamiliar Arabic names and places.