Syed Ameer Ali was a prominent Indian jurist, author and political leader during the British Raj. In The Spirit of Islam he draws on his broad knowledge of Western historical research and Islamic sources to highlight the enlightened and socially progressive tendencies in the Islamic tradition. Some parts of the book counter the Orientalist scholarship of the time, which was largely hostile to Islam, while others articulate the author's vision of Islam as a modern faith. Pronunciation note: the Arabic words and names found in the text are pronounced based on their native form, rather than the spelling used by the author, which reflects Persian and Indian pronunciation. (Summary by Kazbek)
Introduction. The continuity of religious development--Bactria (Balkh) supposed to be the original seat of the human race--Dispersion of the races--Fetishism and Pantheism--The Eastern and Western Aryans--The Assyrians--Babylon and the Jews--Hinduism
Introduction, continued. The tribes of Arabia, their origin, their diversity of culture and religious conceptions--Idolatry among the Arabs--The folklore of Arabia--The advent of Mohammed, a necessity of religious development
