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XIII. 



THE FIRST MOHAMMAD AN TREATIES WITH CHRISTIANS. 

 Br STANLEY LANE-POOLE, M.A., Litt.D. 



Read April 27, 1903. 



The early treaties of the Arabs are important documents in the 

 history of Islam. They show us, upon evidence that cannot be 

 disputed, the policy adopted by the conquerors towards the 

 vanquished ; and they enable us to understand in some degree 

 the causes which contributed to the spread of the new religion. 

 There is a very widely spread misconception on this subject. It 

 is frequently alleged that Islam was ' propagated by the sword.* 

 Carlyle's rejoinder, 'First get your sword', was only a partial 

 answer to the accusation ; for though the religion of Islam must 

 have possessed other attractions to draw men to it in its hour of 

 weakness, when there were no swords on its side, yet it would be 

 quite natural that, when the faith had been embraced by many 

 thousands of fighting men, the argument of the sword should be 

 employed to bring others to the confession of the creed. Indeed, 

 if it is held that there is but one road to salvation, it is at least 

 arguable that forcible methods would be justified in saving men 

 even against their own wills. But, as a matter of history, Islam was 

 not 'propagated by the sword.' The Koran never enjoins any such 

 principle. It does indeed exhort Muslims to ' fight in the path of 

 God with those who fight with you,' but adds, ' if they desist, God is- 

 forgiving and merciful ; ... let there be no hostility save against 

 transgressors.'* ' Unprovoked war is clearly contrary to the letter 

 and spirit of the Kur-an ; but war against the enemies of el-Islam, 

 who have been the first aggressors, is enjoined as a sacred duty; 

 and he who loses his life in fulfilling this duty (if unpaid) is pro- 

 mised the rewards of a martyr. . . . Of such enemies, if reduced 

 by force of arms, refusing to capitulate, or to surrender them- 

 selves, the men may be put to death or be made slaves; and the 



■» Kordn, ii., 186-9. 



R.I. A. PROC, VOL. XXIV., SEC. c] [IS] 



