Khalifah
is historical fiction at its best. It has plots and counter-plots. It is action
packed and filled with evil villains, a seductive temptress, beautiful damsels,
and a colorful cast of thousands. Best of all, the events described are true!

Khalifah
is set in the Near East of the seventh century. As the novel opens, Mohamed,
the founder of Islam, has just died. While leaders of the infant religion are
jockeying for control in the capital of Medina, the Bedouin tribes of the
Arabian Peninsula are in open rebellion. Mu’awiya, the hero of the novel, is
the messenger of Omar, Mohamed’s own appointed successor. Mu’awiya is honest to
a fault and embraces the Islamic philosophy of acceptance and tolerance rather
than its exclusivity. He is struggling to regain his family’s honor in the eyes
of Islam and his own honor in the eyes of his father. He is also devoted to his
wise and beautiful Bedouin wife whom he freed from slavery. Khalid, also known
as the “the Sword Of Allah”, is the chief military leader of Islam. He is
instrumental in the assault against the rebellious Bedouins, the apostate
believers, and all other non-believers. He has no tolerance for non-believers
and even less for apostates. He is known for his brutality on the battlefield,
his savagery towards his captives, and his lascivious interest and abuse of any
beautiful woman. His behavior on the field and in the bedroom has made him the
enemy of Mu’awiya. Khalid’s feelings towards Mu’awiya are mutual, but his
expression of them are characteristically vicious. As Islam moves towards
domination of the Near Eastern region, the rivalry between the Sword of Allah
and the Messenger of Mohamed moves to center stage and takes on international
significance.

Khalifah
is an exciting historic read that demands little foreknowledge of the period or
culture. The reader does not need to bring to the book a vast background of
Islam to enjoy the intrigues, romance, or warfare filling its pages. In fact,
if the reader approaches the novel expecting to learn about the founding of
Islam, the reader may be sorely disappointed. The author does include a list of
characters, pronunciation of their names, a genealogical chart (very useful),
and two maps (less useful due to very tiny print). I, personally, would have liked a flashback or two to provide
some background about Mohamed, his philosophy, and rule. It would also have
been useful in supplying some understanding of the earlier conflict between
Mohamed and Mu’awiya family. I think that it would have grounded the novel, but
I did not feel it was essential for the enjoyment of the novel. What the reader
needs to know is more than adequately provided at times sickeningly so.

There was little available
information about John Elray except what is available in the book itself. He
“is the author of numerous technical works and a frequent world traveler. He
lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.” I found no other titles by him in my sources.

Khalifah
is an exciting read. It has all the characteristics necessary for a good read –
adventure, romance, intrigue, and fast action. It is also a very relevant read
for non-muslins seeking to understand Islam. I recommend this book.

© 2002 Su Terry

Su Terry: Education:
B.A. in History from Sacred Heart University, M.L.S. in Library Science from
Southern Connecticut State College, M.R.S. in Religious Studies/Pastoral
Counseling from Fairfield University, a M.Div. in Professional Ministry from
New Brunswick Theological Seminary, a Certificate in Spirituality/Spiritual
Direction from Sacred Heart University. She is a Licensed Minister of the
United Church of Christ and an Assistant Professor in Library Science at
Dowling College, Long Island, NY. Interests in Mental Health: She is interested
in the interplay between psychology, biology, and mysticism. Her current area
of research is in the impact of hormonal fluctuation in female Christian mystics.

Categories: Fiction