the claims of the non-Muslims that Islam was founded and won its victories by the sword rather than by the Book.

Accordingly, the author—may Allah have mercy on him—undertook the obligation of presenting an extensive, scholarly refutation of that atheistic unbeliever, adducing proofs from the Noble Qur’an, from the Prophetic sunnah, and from the facts of history, even binding him with evidence taken from the very scriptures he believes in. For, as the author himself affirms, Islam was established by the guiding Book, and its guidance was implemented by the ever-keen sword.

For this purpose the author composed his work Hidāyat al-Ḥayārā fī Ajwibati al-Yahūd wa al-Naṣārā, arranging it in two parts:

1. The first part answers the questions raised by the skeptics to whom the author alludes—certain atheistic unbelievers. This part takes up most of the book’s chapters.

2. The second part sets out to confirm the prophethood of our Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ through every type of evidence.

Thus—as the author also remarks—the book emerged as an engaging and admirable work: its reader never grows bored, nor does the one who studies it become weary. It benefits both this world and the next, augments faith, delights the soul, and grants the reader whatever he seeks of the signs of prophethood, the proofs of the message, and the glad tidings given by earlier prophets concerning Muḥammad ﷺ. It likewise offers a study of religions, distinguishing what is sound from what is corrupt and explaining how they deviated after once being upright. Together with this, it lays bare a host of the scandals of the People of the Two Scriptures and what they are upon, showing that they are the furthest of people from their prophets. Interwoven throughout are many scholarly investigations that may be found nowhere else.