After The Prophet
Islam, the world’s second-largest religion, is held captive by an inextricable sectarian rift that has continued for centuries. A vast amount of literature has been produced on the Shia-Sunni faction, which stands intact as a mountain heaving with chaos. ‘After the Prophet’ by Lesley Hazelton is also one of the many attempts to approach the history behind what is known as the story of the epic split.
Islam was orphaned after the demise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the emerging political glory of the land of Arabs was left suffering. However, this book has registered the most authentic and reliable instances. Weaved using the marvelous fiber of prose, a story knitted with facts creates an indispensable fabric for assembling an attire displaying the actualities of Islamic history.
Lesley Hazelton is a widely renowned British-American specialist in Middle-Eastern studies. She has authored many books, among which the most significant is her intriguing works on Islamic History, including ‘After the Prophet.’ Her works are primarily situated on the grounds that establish a critical intersection between religion and politics. The idea of exploring Islamic History has led the way to a deeper and more neutral approach toward contemporary global politics concerning the Shia-Sunni conflict. There were several charges around the book for the language being blasphemous. Yet, it survived the incessant scrutinization from Islamic historiographers and established worldwide that the book remains closest to reality.
The compelling narration of a 1400-year-old story begins with resonation of the recent incident of Shia bombings by Sunnis in Iraq on the day of Ashura in 2004 as a reminder of the tragedy of ‘Karbala’ demonstrating the idea that the legacy is in practice to date. The book is divided into three sections named after Muhammad, Ali, and Hussain, each signifying their specific role in creating the divide. However, the chapter on Aisha pays her a tribute for being an epitome of ‘sassiness and charm’ (25). And possessing an aura that was mainly aimed at displaying a daunting reputation towards the women of Muhammad’s (PBUH) house, including his wives and daughters. Hazelton, herself a psychologist, has explored Aisha’s controversial acts and decisions with a particular preference for the role of women in Islam while maintaining an unbiased approach. The history of the most important Islamic events, as narrated by Islamic historiographers, which are explicitly quoted at the end of the book, is chronologically correct and adds to the authenticity of the book.
Lesley Hazelton is a widely renowned British-American specialist in Middle-Eastern studies. She has authored many books, among which the most significant is her intriguing works on Islamic History, including ‘After the Prophet.’
Focus on ‘Karbala’ and how every single event that led to the tragedy is narrated appears to reflect modern-day political events in parallel, testifying to the inevitability of these accounts in defining the contemporary Islamic world. Events are described as if to create a deliberate commemoration of the present-day tragedies of the sectarian split. Description of instances such as ‘affair of the necklace’ (31) and ‘episode of pen and paper’ (44) were a source of establishing valid grounds for the war bound to happen 50 years later, which would prove to be the final nail in the coffin of this lethal conflict and would become a passionate affair for Shia Muslims till eternity. Karbala, the battleground in Iraq, witnessed the massacre of Muhammad’s (PBUH) beloved grandson, Hussain, along with his 72 warriors, and the blood was at the hands of the first dynasty of Sunni rulers. The book successfully registers the most agonizing events for every Muslim, regardless of them being Shia or Sunni, and manages to draw a route to the origins of the conflict, which lies scrupulously in the conflict between Muhammad’s (PBUH) most beloved wife after Khadija, and his closest companion who was declared equally the ‘master’ (47) of believers as Muhammad (PBUH) himself, Ali. Ali’s devotion and loyalty towards Khadija made Aisha resent him because she was not ready to compromise the uniqueness of her status and superiority among the wives with a testimony of purity from God himself.
Pakistan has put a ban on several books that were considered inappropriate by national legislators, and the list includes ‘After the Prophet’ and ‘The First Muslim,’ both authored by Lesley Hazelton. This country has been quite susceptible to the sectarian divide. The Shia minority is discriminated against unceasingly under false pretenses, which is nothing but a mere tactic by the authoritarian regime to monopolize the oppressed to maintain its hegemony. Meanwhile, the book presents an alternate view that perpetuates a sense of tolerance among the Shia-Sunni communities. The facts presented in the book jeopardize the state’s authoritarian motives, adding to its authenticity.
Using a more critical approach to the book, this review attempts to highlight the impact of this book on the essential nurture of thought in contemporary politics. A fascinating aspect that cannot be overlooked is the way Hazelton illustrates Aisha’s role throughout and attempts to draw parallels with the role of women as leaders in modern times with a blend of implicit critique regarding women’s subjugation by patriarchy in the name of Islam. Hazelton also creates a dichotomy by depicting Aisha’s choices from psychological perspectives, making them appear ambiguous and open to interpretation. This perspective has provided insight into the personal motives of the author as well, which seems immersed in exploring the feminist perspective of Islam. Hazelton stands unique in her immensely neutral approach towards Islam compared to many Muslim scholars.
The heart of the entire conflict remains the selection of a rightful successor after the Prophet (PBUH), which led to subsequent disputes and came to an end with Ali’s assassination, followed by the final stroke of Hussain’s assassination in the battleground of Karbala. Amidst unrelenting criticisms and charges, this unbiased, meticulous account of the rift ingrained in the history of Islam, shaping today’s world, stands supreme and valid in every capacity.
The author is an aspiring writer from Quetta, Balochistan, committed to spotlighting underrepresented issues.
