A welcome addition to the historiographical literature on early Islam, its evolution and the development of Islamic thought on violence, conflict and war.

Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations

"Using historical sources to underscore the importance of Arab Christian foederati while offering a contextualized reading of Qur'anic verses relating to religious violence, Demichelis offers a provocative, insightful interpretation of the interplay between the slow emergence of Islam among the "Believers and the eventual articulation of a doctrine of jihad.”

Steven C. Judd, Professor of Middle East History, Southern Connecticut State University, USA

“Displaying extensive research and interdisciplinary methodological approach, Marco Demichelis convincingly recontextualizes the late process of sacralization of violence in early Islam. One of the many merits of this book is to put an end to the outdated representations of a Prophet's life inextricably rooted in a form of religious violence. A much needed and timely work which breaks a number of cliches on a contentious issue.”

Mehdi Azaiez, Professor of Islamic Studies, UC Louvain, Belgium

The academic vigour and evidence-based treatment of the subject by the author of the book under review is highly commendable.

The Muslim World Book Review