An appeal is made to impartial historians...

An appeal is made to impartial historians, un- hindered by considerations of religion and un- mindful of noisy propaganda, to examine this assertion and theory critically in the light of proved facts and dictates of sound reason, and give their own finding, regardless of all con- siderations, political, religious or social.

That his "loving" companions left the dead body of the Prophet to take part in the meeting at Saqifah, that his relatives including `Ali remained by his side, overwhelmed by the great calamity that had befallen the whole nation, that he died before noon on Monday and was not buried till late at night on Wednesday according to some 1 and till late at night on Tuesday according to a minority including Mawlawi Shibli, 2 that his funeral was not taken through the town to a secluded place in the graveyard and that on this occasion also as on other similar disputed occa- sions Abu Bakr came out with an alleged saying of the Prophet which no one else had heard and which has no rationalistic basis that Prophets are buried at the very place where they die, 3 and that, therefore, he was buried in the hujrah (room) of Abu Bakr's daughter, `A'ishah, are clear indications that all was not well, and that there was something wrong somewhere.

This book discloses what that something was and where it was wrong. It must be patent to every student of History that some of those historical facts the correctness of which had for centuries been considered as finally established were eventually discovered to be incorrect, but that it was only when the causes that had given rise to them had ceased to exist, and the passions and prejudices that had nursed them had subsided.

He often finds crystals of historical truth lying concealed in the layers of falsehood accumulated through centuries of religious fanaticism, personal pre- judices or state policies of rulers who had gained the throne after a struggle, open or secret, but not based on right and justice. Their first neces- sity is to gain control of History and Propaganda, and stiffle any the slightest voice that is or may be raised in favour or sympathy of their defeated rivals.

A criticism of their policy, nay, even of their daily movements and actions is taken to be an offence against State to be atoned for with nothing less than life.