Originally Posted by
TaronQuinn
@hameem123, Thank you for your contribution, and I'm sure the team is making every effort to present the early Caliphate in the most realistic manner.
I think the concerns you have with how some forum members have been discussing this issue are well grounded, but the main issue from the early pages of this thread have been over what qualifies as legitimate historical sources. Yes, first-hand accounts of the early Caliphs and their military forces are especially useful, and most likely highly detailed; a historian has to read ALL sources, even ones he/she agrees with, with an eye towards discerning bias and hyperbole. I would be the last person to judge any historical figure, but does not mean I would hesitate to discuss all their actions and accounts of their deeds, no matter how negative they might be.
I think the majority of this discussion has been quite respectful; thorough research often involves digging into many sources, some complimentary, and some derogatory. For example, the anecdote you provide of a Roman envoy remarking on the Caliph's humility and lack of fear is enlightening. As a historian, without discounting its validity, I would ask: Who wrote this down? When does it first appear in the sources; how long after the event it recounts? In what context did he encounter the Caliph; after a battle, after a long journey, while the Caliph had just awoken? Do we have the messenger's name or description to determine where he came from or what his previous views might have been? None of these questions are disrespectful, they are merely trying to ascertain the authenticity of this event. I.e., was it an actual event recorded in multiple sources and witnessed by several people? Was it a story told by a courtier trying to comment on the Caliph's noble qualities and putting those words into a Roman's mouth to lend them greater wonder?
Finally, I would agree with you that Constantine did hijack Christianity for his own purposes, and did alter many aspects of its theology, hierarchy, and even effectiveness for the sake of reinforcing his hold on power. So I take it quite kindly, without being offended, and while still holding quite strongly to my Christian beliefs; insulting Constantine is not an insult to MY beliefs. I hope that any and every Muslim who reads this thread realizes that any criticisms of Muslim accounts or critical comments on important Muslim figures are NOT attacks on Islam or its tenets, at least on my part.
TQ
PS - One nit-picky thing: Punctuation and spacing! Please organize your writing into complete sentences using punctuation, and try to make paragraphs, as it makes them MUCH easier to read. Thanks.