Intelligence System as a Military Strategy in the Muslim World

Intelligence System as a Military Strategy in the Muslim World Reviewed by Dr. Shahid Imtiaz Human history is replete with battles and wars. Moreover, it is the biography of great warriors, military commanders and generals. Men fight wars to showcase their valor. Ambitious rulers like Julius Caesar and Genghis Khan in the past waged wars to fulfill their ambition of adding more territories to their already existing kingdoms. Their success in the battle field by and large depended on their intelligence system as well. And in the modern times men like Adolf Hitler have inflicted war on their opponents to achieve their vested interests. As the time rolled on war strategy and intelligence system have assumed a new dimension. Various new strategies have been developed and evolved over the years to facilitate war effort. Since the beginning of the colonial era in the 15th century, the process of colonization reached its culminating point with the industrial revolution in the 19th century Europe, war strategy also donned a new shape. Along with the manufacturing of lethal weapons of mass destruction, the intelligence system has also been developed on modern lines. Artificial intelligence, as technology developed to a great extent has further created a spying system which is highly sophisticated, more reliable and efficient. Intelligence system or spying is an integral part of war strategy against the enemy, both in war and peace times. Without having thorough information of enemy’s war strength and limitations is just like entering the battlefield blind folded. It is during the peace time that a viable war strategy is invariably planned by gathering and collecting the much needed information regarding the strength and weakness of the enemy, the deployment of enemy forces, the potential and nature of its weapons, the availability of its resources and the possible international support the enemy might get from the international powers. Political diplomacy assumes a significant role in this regard. In order to have access to the military documents, war plans and other secret papers of the enemy, sometimes the intelligence personnel infiltrate into the ranks of the enemy and at times enemy’s personnel’s royalties are purchased. Wing Commander Dr. Nasir Majeed Malik has penned down a very comprehensive book on the effectiveness of intelligence system, a bed rock of success in the battle field. For his efforts he deserves our kudos. Moreover, by virtue of it thorough and exhaustive information on the war strategy and intelligence system, this book deserves to be a part of syllabus of military institutions teaching the significance of intelligence system as an integral and inseparable part of military planning. The book is called Holy Prophet’s Intelligence System: Mission Beyond Miracles. It is a unique book of its own kind as it focuses not only the era of Holy Prophet ( S.A.W), his war planning, espionage system , the guide line and training of the intelligence personnel but also covers the Muslim rule over the three continents, Europe, Africa and the Sub-continent. The book under review is a great source of valuable knowledge and information regarding the military and intelligence strategy of various Muslim rulers in their respective areas of rule. The book in particular spotlights the system of collecting intelligence information with reference to personnel, weapons and communication by focusing three main areas, military command, Islamic History and the era of Holy Prophet ( S.A.W). In addition to the preface the book is divided into five chapters. In the preface the writer after mentioning the past glory of the Muslim world in the field of knowledge, science and war technology encourages them to focus on rebuilding of their military might. He also laments that a few books are written or available on the defense strategy, military planning and tactics and supreme military command of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). The book under discussion, therefore, would definite fill the gap. The book is divided into five chapters. The first chapter spotlights the concept of intelligence and elaborates its vital significance in winning wars. It states that “intelligence of all preparations and tactics regarding a war. It is the process of knowledge of such circumstances of the enemy that are related to the use of power against them.” In addition, the first chapter showcases the art and skill of intelligence by quoting Sun Tzu’s theory of intelligence. Sun Tzu, a Chines philosopher who wrote a book on the art of intelligence about twenty five hundred years ago, its Urdu translation titled “Fan-e-Harb” is available, states that “The army that does not have the spies is like a man who neither does have the eyes nor ears …… and that intelligence is obtained from the people who are aware of the circumstances of the enemy.” Sun Tzu has classified spies into four kinds, regional spies, dual spies, internal spies, sacrificial spies and victorious spies. They perform their respective assignments despite extreme risk and ganger. After describing the qualities of a spy, the writer further tells us the classification of intelligence which is divided into three grades, strategic intelligence, operational intelligence and tactical intelligence. While elaborating the functions of a spy, the write emphasizes the importance of propaganda and false rumors to misguide the enemy. In order to strengthen his idea he quotes Chankia Kotlia, an ancient Indian philosopher. Chankia writes in his epoch making book called “Arth Shaster” that “The spies need to spread the false news in the enemy areas so that the ruler is beset with the severe difficulties and extreme danger persists to his life.” He further advocates the use of various tactics to be used by the spies to create a chasm and misunderstanding between the ruler and the ruled. The second chapter covers the use of spies and intelligence system in the ancient times. The ancient Egyptians had shaped a very organized system of intelligence service and the knowledge of intelligence was a part of their education system. Resultantly, they could hold their enemy at bay and strengthen their rule over a vast territory. This chapter also gives us the list of ancient names for intelligence, ‘In ancient country of the west , it was called as “Hakim”, “Sahib-ul-Madinnah” in Spain. The patrolling police in Tunisia, Ray and Iran is known as “Areef”, Now-a-days it is called as Muqaddamat-ul-harat”. Some righteous predecessors used to called it as “Shurtah” while the others termed it as “Sahib-ul-as’ as”” as they used to patrol during the night to nab criminals.” The writer has given references from the Holy Quran and the Bible in order to prove that the system of intelligence is an old one. The much needed information to solve certain riddles and issues which the Prophets like, Hazrat Yaqoob (A.S), Hazrat Musa (A. S) Hazrat Suleman (A.S) received even from the birds, “But the hoopoe stayed no long and said “I have encompassed (in knowledge) that which you have not encompassed, and I have come to you from Sabaa with certain news…” (Surah Al Namal) Even before the advent of Islam, the Arabs were expert in collecting information through the science of physiognomy. A skillful physiognomist would successfully find his target by tracing the foot marks of his target or his animal. After arriving in Medina, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) immediately began to gather information of the surrounding areas of Medina, water reservoirs, military activities of the Quraish, the political activities of the Jews inhabiting Medina, and various trade routes passing about the city. It was Holy Prophet’s superior military strategy coupled with excellent intelligence system that won battles and brought glory to Islam. “The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) had arranged a complete intelligence system for the Islamic forces. In every holy war, the spies excellently discharged their duties …. The Holy Prophet (S.W.A) appointed agents within and outside of Medina who used to inform the situation of Mecca, Najad, Taif, and other areas.” His companions and successors followed his war and intelligence planning and soon defeated the Romans and the Persians, two mighty military powers of their time. The chapter titled, “Intelligence in the times of Holy Prophet (S.A.W)” is the soul of the book. It describes in detail the military command, strategic insight, military maneuvering and above all Prophet’s (S.A.W) treatment with the prisoners of war. He led the Muslim army from the front in various ghazawas and showed to the world that he was and is a great military commander . “Prophet of Allah (S.A.W) always took special measures in all ghazawat to keep his forces secure and made his utmost effort to prevent the enemy from taking any sort of information about his forces to stay in the invulnerable position…. The information department of the Islamic state was given special attention. Reporters were appointed inside and outside the state. These reporters used to keep Holy Prophet well informed about each and every happening and activity of the people of Mecca, Najad, Taif and many other places even before their becoming the part of Islamic state.” Holy Prophet (S.A.W) used a variety of sources to get information particularly about the Kufars in Mecca. In addition to the traders plying on the trade routes to Syria His kinsmen like Hazrat Abbas, Prophet’s (S.A.W) uncle were in touch with him. Consequently, Holy Prophet (S.A.W) became vigilant regarding the activities not only of the Kafars in Mecca but also their accomplice in Medina. This chapter is of great significance as it informs us of the crowing victories of Holy Prophet in the ghazawats and at the same time reveals the munafikeens intentions and secret enimosity against Islam in Medina. Then there were specific codes and passwords used not only in peace times but also in the battlefield. “Durning the battle of Badr, the password of the Muslims was ‘Ya Mansoor Ummat’ and after this the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) set a password for each of the subsequent holy battles.” Islam is primarily a religion of peace. It has set rules to fight battles as well. Therefore, they were certain rules and principles to follow for the spies. “The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) provided an excellent rule of “no violence” about the investigation. He not only had forbidden the violence but also presented a practical model of investigation through interrogation.” So an example was set for his successor and for the whole Muslim Ummah to follow it in letter and spirit. The chapter “Intelligence During the Muslim Era” very briefly, yet authentically spotlights the Intelligence department of the Muslim rulers from the Sultan-e-Delhi to the great Mughals in the Sub-continent. The Indian Muslim rulers, in addition to other sources, made use of the postmen to gather exact information. The informers were expert and well-trained in using the symbols and signals to communicate the gathered information. While discussing the Sub-continent, the readers notice that the British Raj does not get any attention. The information on the British espionage system is conspicuously missing. The British were involved with the Russians who intended to infiltrate and penetrate into India through Afghanistan. Their engagement is popularly called the ‘Great Game’. The British employed horse dealers, traders, writers, medical men to keep an eye on the Russian movement beyond the mountains. The British, therefore, kept the Russians at bay because of their efficient espionage system. In the conclusion the summaries of all the five chapters are given which is a kind of revision of whatever has already been discussed. In the modern times each country has its own network of intelligence. Amongst the world renowned secret agencies one can mention American CIA, Russian KGB, British MI-6, Israeli MOSAD, Indian RAW and last but not least Pakistani ISI. These agencies have their own way of working. Sometimes the European intelligence network collaborates with each other against what they conceive as their mutual enemy. Sharing information for strategic action, training of their intelligence officers and spies is a common practice. Holy Prophet’s Intelligence System: Mission Beyond Miracles. By Wing Commander Dr. Nasir Majeed Malik Published by Paramount Printing Press, Karachi. Price in Pakistan, 1000 Rs. Pages 314 ISBN no978-969-407-495-5 Reviewed by Dr. Shahid Imtiaz Mr. Shahid Imtiaz is a PhD in English Literature from Department of English Language and Literature, University of the Punjab Lahore Pakistan. He has attended many international seminars and conferences and presented research papers on Colonial and Postcolonial Literature. He is nationally and internationally published writer and regularly contributes articles to International Research Journals abroad and to English Newspapers in Pakistan. His book on Lahore, entitled as “Amorphous Lahore Colonial and Postcolonial: A Journey through History and Fiction” has recently been published. Higher Education Department Govt. of the Punjab recommended his name for Civil Award on Independence Day Celebrations. 5