Nonviolent Soldier of Islam: Badshah Khan: A Man to Match His Mountains

Not to worry! I read this book years ago and since repurchased it. The Truth about this man is there for all to read. What he accomplished was unbelievably amazing in that his turn towards non-violence, together with his compelling leadership, changed an entire centuries-old enculturated behavior of fierce warriors into a 100,000 strong non-violent army of Peacemakers and Uniters. His admiration of Gandhi and his then lifetime friendship with him was nothing short of life changing for himself and all his people. He deserves the title King of Kings or Badshah Khan. He also SHOULD have received the Nobel Peace Prize because what he achieved was nothing short of extraordinary. It would be my deepest hope that all those in the world as it now is who have taken to "hating Muslims" would be required to read this book. We, in our arrogance, always tend to forget that their are Radicals in Every Single Religion. The things that have been done in the name of "Christianity" are horrific! We, as a species, need to open our minds and hearts to realize we are ALL ONE with One Creator. Most Faiths are monotheistic. The irony is that only we argue about the name we call Him while He could care less. It is our ACTIONS that matter and, as the old saying goes: "You don't throw out the baby with the bath water." There will ALWAYS be individuals in every religion, in every political party, in every culture, in every race, that are nothing short of nasty in their hate-spewing. That has NEVER meant that Every Single Person in that same "group" is! When are we, as a species, going to get real about this small fact and proceed with understanding, empathy, and love? We're at a point in time right now where we can rise up as Peacemakers and truly love one another, or we can continue on this slippery slope to yet another War which will be the last for this Planet and all Life upon it. Together as brothers and sisters, We CAN do this! Turn away from the hate and greed mongers and those who govern by engendering Fear in "the Other," and instead realize and remember that "an enemy" is someone whose story you have not heard. Every one of us wants the same few things: A way to support ourselves and our families; safe shelter, nutritious food, clean drinking/cooking/bathing water, and education for our children. We have these things in common with ALL humanity. The difference is in the "How." Greed and Warmongers want them, too, but they want Yours along with what they already have as Theirs. We are not standing up to the right people; they are not those "over there," but those close to home. Nonviolence, Peace for ALL Life, Empathy, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love, and Freedom - these are innate Rights. We were ALL born Free by the One who owns the Store! We were not born as puppets or robots. We were given Free Will. Enslavement in any form was and has been done by our own kind. Let us use our Free Will to unite and come together with all the more we have in common remembering that dividing and subtracting is the propaganda that war and greedmongers do in order to enslave and/or support their wars. Let us begin to behave at the level of evolution we have all liked to think we already possessed, but haven't.

I cannot say enough about this outstanding piece of work by Easwaran. This moving story about how Abdullah Ghaffer Khan was able to show his people how love and service are far more powerful than the rule of violence and revenge that had long been their custom offers hope to our troubled world today. Gandhi has long been a powerful influence in my life, but I did not know until a couple of years ago about the bond between Khan and Gandhi and how they worked in tandem to support the principle of nonviolence, nor was I aware of the extreme price they paid for remaining loyal to the principles they so much believed in. There is much to learn from their shining examples.

Abdul Ghaffar Khan, or "Badshah Khan" as he was known, was inspired to follow the non-violent movement of Mohandas K. Gandhi, and himself came to be known as the "Frontier Gandhi." Eknath Easwaran has done a very effective job in capturing the essential character of the man, and his nonviolent dedication to Islam. Because Islam is so pervasively characterized as violent, it is essential to read and understand this work, to illustrate that Muslims themselves can be thoroughly dedicated to nonviolence. The life and accomplishments of Khan are contained herein, and it is a good starting point for the beginning reader. Khan's legacy may be ambiguous. He may not have had the political wisdom or the impact of his mentor, Mohandas Gandhi, but certainly his legacy must be remembered and his voice recalled as a counter-cultural alternative to the radical jihadism that the West has known since 9/11. Good work, Easwaran, we should know more about this man.

This book really demonstrates how you can incorporate non-violence into every aspect of your daily life. This brought me to a new sense of understanding about the world, its people and our conflicts, and how petty or large ones can be avoided and not escalated.Particularly relevant is how Khan came from the Pathans, or tribe with a reputation of violence which covers much of Afghanistan, and so much in the news today. Khan however raised history's first "non-violent army" of 100,000 men form the ruthless Pathan tradition, and who through non-violent means courageously stood up unarmed against injustice.Read this book, it is truly outstanding, and preferably after having read "Gandhi The Man" by the same author - Eknath Easwaran.John Chamberlain

Self effacing characters thoroughly impervious to the temptations of power. It is a history of huge change in the direction the India of the Raj took to regain sovereignty and self governance without much of the usual bloodshed.Worthy of your time to read...

Informative

This is a beautifully written and magnificently researched account of a story that needs to be more universally known and understood. In Badshah Khan, Gandhi found the truest living example of his philosophy of nonviolence for social change.

This was my favorite book of 2013. The story was unknown to me beforehand and truly inspiring. The author's style was exquisite and compelling. I have since then bought more by the same.Alison

...and the historically important, positive and affirmative social movement he was a part of.This is an awesome book and more people should read it. Highly, highly, highly recommend. It has significant historical and practical relevance to our world today.This book will deepen your understanding of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. And give you a sense of both realism and hope. Peace takes dedication and hard work, and setbacks are frequent, but real accomplishments are possible.

Most people will have heard of Gandhi but Badshah Khan less so, he showed that a warrior like tribal people who embraced Islam could still be completely non-violent and achivee their aims. This is his story and it is humbling the great man's dignity, humanity and belief, with a heart as big as any with compassion for all we could learn so much from him and ais great life.

a really good book a nice example about islam peace the basic ideals of a non-violent religion. the balance of nationalism and toleranz, selfvalue and freedom. i really like this book. it shows that there is so much more then all those prejudices. a tribe and its way of finding its place in the world in the past and in the present. a gret summary nd a great book.amazing for all the people who like at least one out of the following:- non-violence movements- religiouse point of views- biographies- islam and prejudices- tribes and their place in a sociaty- and much much more topicsi have lended the book multiple times .... everyone said it was eyeopening !

Ein absolut faszinierendsten Bücher über einen hierzulande kaum bekannten Weggefährten Gandhis. Wer sich für die Geschichte Südasiens,des Ringen um Unabhängigkeit, aber auch insbesonderen für die Kultur der Pakhtunen interessiert, sollte es unbedingt lesen. Hier wird Geschichte kenntnisreich aus asiatischer Sicht vermittelt. Das eine so beeindruckende Person wie Abdul Ghaffar Khan im "Westen" quasi unbekannt ist, ist mehr als bedauerlich... für uns

Best book. Necessary to read by yougsters.