Who Actually Writes Islamic History?

 

Who Actually Writes Islamic History?

Ancient book ‘Islamic History’ edited by hidden hands as Muslim scholars watch — image on who controls Islamic history narrative


Introduction: History is Never Neutral

Who has the right to write Islamic history? This question is rarely asked openly, but it’s crucial. Behind every historical narrative lies interest, bias, and a deliberate selection of what deserves to be remembered and what should be buried. As a writer trying to stay neutral, I put myself in the position of an ordinary reader: we often think Islamic history is singular, yet its authors are diverse and often contradictory. (Source: Edward Said, Orientalism, 1978).

Islamic History: From Scholars to Orientalists

At first, Islamic history was written by Muslim historians themselves. Ibn Ishaq, Al-Tabari, Al-Masudi, Ibn Khaldun they recorded events through oral tradition, documents, and observation. They didn’t just record facts but interpreted them, added religious context, and sometimes inserted personal views. (Source: Franz Rosenthal, A History of Muslim Historiography, 1952).

However, since the 18th century, a wave of Orientalism emerged in Europe. Western scholars studied the Islamic world from their own perspective. Many Orientalist works are academically valuable but often planted colonial bias: portraying Islam as the “other” and backward. (Source: Bernard Lewis, Islam and the West, 1993).

Narrative of Conquest: Who Benefits?

One clear example of bias is the writing of conquest narratives. Muslim conquests of Persia, Byzantium, Spain, and India are often portrayed as brutal, while phases of assimilation, tolerance, and scientific development are sidelined. (Source: Marshall Hodgson, The Venture of Islam, 1974).

Conversely, some classical Muslim writers tended to glorify: recording victory after victory while covering up dark facts like internal power struggles or civil wars. Therefore, I believe reading Islamic history requires double critical lenses toward both Western and internal narratives.

Modern Propaganda: Media and History

In the modern era, Islamic history is not just in historians’ hands but also mass media, film, and even influencers. Movies like Kingdom of Heaven depict the Crusades from a Western perspective, though fairly balanced. Still, many Islamic historical details are romanticized or oversimplified. (Source: Jonathan Riley-Smith, The Crusades: A History, 2005).

As a writer, I believe today’s generation is more easily swayed by viral narratives than in-depth research. Here’s the danger: public opinion can be shaped by “instant” history writers who lack credible sources.

Contemporary Muslim Historians: Between Academics and Activists

Notably, there’s a recent wave of contemporary Muslim historians trying to rewrite Islamic history with a modern approach. Scholars like Wael Hallaq, Tariq Ramadan, and Hamid Dabashi work to deconstruct Orientalist bias while reminding Muslims not to fall into excessive glorification. (Source: Wael B. Hallaq, The Impossible State, 2013).

I find their approach refreshing. They’re not mere archivists but also interpreters of meaning behind events. They urge Muslims to reflect: history is not just about victories but lessons.

Who Writes History in Our Schools?

This question matters: who writes Islamic history textbooks for Muslim schools? Many curricula in Muslim countries are shaped by official state narratives. Rebellions are written as suppressions, certain figures are aggrandized, political opponents erased from textbooks. (Source: Peter Gran, Islamic Roots of Capitalism, 1979).

Here, I see we have homework: to open space for independent historians, local researchers, and archives not locked by governments.

Finding Alternative Histories: Archives and Digital Age

Today, young Muslim diasporas revive alternative histories through blogs, podcasts, and independent research. They don’t just repeat old narratives but also dig up hidden primary sources. (Source: Leila Ahmed, Women and Gender in Islam, 1992).

In my view, this is the hope. The digital world has broken the monopoly over history. But the challenge remains: in the internet age, historical hoaxes spread too. We must be more critical in distinguishing academic data from mere political spins.

Reflection: Who Writes It? All of Us

So, who truly writes Islamic history? For me, the answer is: all of us. Every writer, reader, teacher, journalist, and content creator is a history writer. What we choose to tell, what we deliberately silence shapes how the next generation understands Islam.

History is never final. It is rewritten every era. Our job is not to swallow it whole but to check, study, and honestly rewrite it. (Source: Khaled Abou El Fadl, Speaking in God’s Name, 2001).

Conclusion: Read, Write, Revise

As a neutral writer, I believe the future of Islamic history lies in the hands of critical readers. We must combine modern methods, authentic sources, and the courage to challenge the status quo. If Muslims are content only as consumers of history, then others will continue to write our narrative.

Being an Islamic history writer doesn’t require a PhD. It only takes courage, honesty, and a commitment to seek sources. In this digital era, every click and upload is a new piece of history. Who writes it? All of us.

Lokasi: GWG8+G5 Blodgett Mills, NY, Amerika Serikat

Komentar

Posting Komentar

Postingan populer dari blog ini

What If Technology Revives Muslim Unity?

Gambar
  What If Technology Revives Muslim Unity? Introduction As a writer who often explores Islamic civilization , I sometimes ask myself: could technology be the way for Muslims to rediscover the unity that has long been lost? This question may sound utopian amid the reality of a fragmented Muslim world divided by national borders , sects , and geopolitical interests (Esposito, What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam , 2002). But in this digital era, I see a glimmer of hope. Technology which once divided can now be a tool to mend old cracks. Didn’t the Islamic world once shine as a beacon of science and technology? (Hodgson, The Venture of Islam , 1974). A Brief History: From Trade Routes to the Digital World In the past, the Islamic world was connected through the Silk Road , caravans, and madrasas. Baghdad , Cairo , and Timbuktu were linked by networks of scholars and merchants. Communication was slow, but the spirit of unity lived through the transfer of knowledge (Lapidus, ...
Baca selengkapnya

How Did Islam Become the Target of Global Propaganda?

Gambar
  How Did Islam Become the Target of Global Propaganda? Introduction Personally, every time I read international news, I wonder why Islam almost always appears in the context of conflict, extremism, or terrorism. It’s as if this religion has no other face but violence. Yet, if we honestly look at history, Islam was once a civilization of tolerance, science, and cosmopolitan culture. ( Edward Said , Covering Islam , 1981 ) My question is simple: why is this grand narrative kept negative? Is it just coincidence or part of a larger propaganda machine? Islam and the Media: An Unbalanced Narrative Since 9/11, Islam’s image in Western media has largely been trapped in the frame of terrorism. For me, this is a peak example of how modern propaganda works: shaping public perception through constant repetition. ( Said, Covering Islam , 1981 ) Take the word ‘ jihad ’ it’s often narrowly translated as ‘holy war’. But many Muslims know it means much more, including moral and spiritual s...
Baca selengkapnya

Will the Caliphate Return at the End of Times? Exploring the Islamic Perspective

Gambar
  Will the Caliphate Return at the End of Times? Exploring the Islamic Perspective Throughout Islamic history, the Caliphate (Khilafah) has been more than a political system — it has symbolized unity, justice, and leadership for the Muslim Ummah. After its formal abolition in 1924, Muslims across the world have continued to ask: Will the Caliphate ever return? And more intriguingly: Is there a prophecy about its return at the end of times? Let’s explore the historical, theological, and contemporary views surrounding the return of the Caliphate in the Last Days . 1. The Caliphate: A Brief Historical Overview The Rashidun Caliphate began after the death of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in 632 CE, followed by the Umayyads, Abbasids, and finally the Ottoman Caliphate. For over 1,300 years , the Khilafah functioned as a symbol of political unity and religious authority in the Muslim world. But with colonialism, internal decay, and the rise of secular nationalism, the last Caliphate wa...
Baca selengkapnya