'I hope the time isn't far off when I shall be able to establish a regime based on the principles of Qur'an,' Bonaparte.
By Karima Saifullah
Born on the 15th of August 1769, Napoléon Bonaparte was able to shape modern European history with his military innovations and war tactics that enabled him to lead several successful campaigns against the First and Second Coalition.
The French leader, who died in May 1982, was a general during the French Revolution, the ruler of France as First Consul of the French Republic, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Mediator of the SwissConfederation and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine. His campaigns are studied at military academies all over the world and he is widely regarded as one of history's greatest commanders.
Regardless of whether he was a fair leader or not, one of the most impressive aspects regarding Napoléon Bonaparte was his admiration of Islam.
Bonaparte first learnt about Islam in 1789, when he proposed a military expedition to seize Egypt -- then a province of the Ottoman Empire -- in order to protect French trade interests and undermine Britain's access to India.
It has been reported that while in Egypt, Bonaparte took part in several religious ceremonies and held meetings with Muslim clerics.
Many quotes suggest that Bonaparte was a serious admirer of Islam:
"Moses has revealed the existence of God to his nation. Jesus Christ to the Roman world, Muhammad (PBUH) to the old continent,”
"I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Qur'an which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness,” Napoléon Bonaparte as quoted in Christian Cherfils, ‘Bonaparte et Islam,’ Pedone Ed., Paris, France, 1914, pp. 105, 125.
Many historians discussed Bonaparte’s admiration of Islam, while others debated whether he converted to Islam or not.
‘Satanic Voices - Ancient and Modern’ by David M. Pidcock stated that the then official French Newspaper, Le Moniteur, carried the accounts of Bonaparte’s conversion to Islam in 1798 C.E.
The newspaper even mentioned his new Muslim name, which was ‘Aly (Ali) Napoléon Bonaparte’.
It has also been reported that Bonaparte commended the conversion of his General Jacques Menou, whose Muslim name was ‘Abdullah-Jacques Menou’, who later married an Egyptian, Sitti Zoubeida - who was descended from the line of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Even if such claims are untrue, it’s clear that Napoleon Bonaparte admired the Islamic (Shari'ah) Law and attempted to apply it in his Empire.
It’s interesting that a great leader like Bonaparte admired Islam and its laws, which are much better than the secular laws applied in many countries today.
In fact, some aspects of the Shariah law still exist in the French constitution as the basis for some of their laws taken from the Code Napoléon.
A well-known case like the fatal car accident of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi al-Fayed can best illustrate this. "The photographers were charged with an old part of the French Jurisprudence, for ‘not helping at the scene of an accident’- which is taken from the Shari'ah Law of Imam Malik." (David M. Pidcock, 1998 C.E.) - (Al Jazeera Magazine, 21 Nov 07)
By Karima Saifullah
Born on the 15th of August 1769, Napoléon Bonaparte was able to shape modern European history with his military innovations and war tactics that enabled him to lead several successful campaigns against the First and Second Coalition.
The French leader, who died in May 1982, was a general during the French Revolution, the ruler of France as First Consul of the French Republic, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Mediator of the SwissConfederation and Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine. His campaigns are studied at military academies all over the world and he is widely regarded as one of history's greatest commanders.
Regardless of whether he was a fair leader or not, one of the most impressive aspects regarding Napoléon Bonaparte was his admiration of Islam.
Bonaparte first learnt about Islam in 1789, when he proposed a military expedition to seize Egypt -- then a province of the Ottoman Empire -- in order to protect French trade interests and undermine Britain's access to India.
It has been reported that while in Egypt, Bonaparte took part in several religious ceremonies and held meetings with Muslim clerics.
Many quotes suggest that Bonaparte was a serious admirer of Islam:
"Moses has revealed the existence of God to his nation. Jesus Christ to the Roman world, Muhammad (PBUH) to the old continent,”
"I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Qur'an which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness,” Napoléon Bonaparte as quoted in Christian Cherfils, ‘Bonaparte et Islam,’ Pedone Ed., Paris, France, 1914, pp. 105, 125.
Many historians discussed Bonaparte’s admiration of Islam, while others debated whether he converted to Islam or not.
‘Satanic Voices - Ancient and Modern’ by David M. Pidcock stated that the then official French Newspaper, Le Moniteur, carried the accounts of Bonaparte’s conversion to Islam in 1798 C.E.
The newspaper even mentioned his new Muslim name, which was ‘Aly (Ali) Napoléon Bonaparte’.
It has also been reported that Bonaparte commended the conversion of his General Jacques Menou, whose Muslim name was ‘Abdullah-Jacques Menou’, who later married an Egyptian, Sitti Zoubeida - who was descended from the line of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Even if such claims are untrue, it’s clear that Napoleon Bonaparte admired the Islamic (Shari'ah) Law and attempted to apply it in his Empire.
It’s interesting that a great leader like Bonaparte admired Islam and its laws, which are much better than the secular laws applied in many countries today.
In fact, some aspects of the Shariah law still exist in the French constitution as the basis for some of their laws taken from the Code Napoléon.
A well-known case like the fatal car accident of Diana, Princess of Wales, and Dodi al-Fayed can best illustrate this. "The photographers were charged with an old part of the French Jurisprudence, for ‘not helping at the scene of an accident’- which is taken from the Shari'ah Law of Imam Malik." (David M. Pidcock, 1998 C.E.) - (Al Jazeera Magazine, 21 Nov 07)
No comments:
Post a Comment