Rushdie Haunted by his unholy Ghosts — Page 53
Rushdie: Haunted By His Unholy Ghosts 53 to the fear and jealousy of the Christians. Another example follows soon after : ‘Islam was still at the frontier. For this reason it had to be admit- ted openly as an enemy, and presented in terms that did not make it necessary to change or adapt any single facet of Christian and European culture. . . . . The important thing was that it suited the West. It corresponded to need; it made it possible to protect the minds of Christians against apostasy and it gave Christendom self-respect in dealing with a civilisation in many ways its superior. ’ (p. 270). COE RC I V E E F F IGY One of the most popular myths that has been created about Islam and how it was spread was the assertion that it was spread by force, and by the sword. No credit has been vouchsafed to the superior and compassionate teachings of the Holy Qur’an as eluci- dated by the Holy Prophet(sa). This false picture of conversion by coercion had been deliberately painted to stem the rate of converts from the Christian faith to Islam. But this picture was literally presented as a drawing in this period and the Western orientalists have taken advantage of every opportunity to present it to the world. Muslims, throughout the centuries, and right up to the present time, have always regarded their Prophetsa with such reverence that no paintings or drawings of him have ever been made or been permitted. But some of the orientalists have displayed great insen- sitivity by doing exactly the opposite. Dr. Daniel has joined this category of insensitive writers by dig- ging out one such drawing and presenting it in his book. The notes accompanying it are equally callous. Daniel calls it ‘an ink drawing of Muhammad, from a late mediaeval manuscript, where it stands in isolation - it was apparently not intended to illustrate a text. ’ (p. 134). The drawing depicts Muhammad(sa) carrying a sword in the right hand, with the words gladius Mahumeti pictus written across