The modern world realizes that the common factor in Islam and communism is violence and authoritarianism in the name of humanism. But there have been many attempts to merge the two in an absurdity called Islamic Socialism. The practical applications of Islamic Socialism have a history going back to Muhammad and the first few Caliphates to modern political parties founded in the 1970s. Sadly, from its very inception, the Communist Party of India embraced the tenets of Islam and the paraphernalia of crime that came along with it. As a result, the Indian communists have even justified Hindu genocides committed by Islamic fundamentalists in Malabar and Bengal. using the jargon of class war.

This book tells the story of the bonhomie of the Communist Party with Islam in the Indian context, with reference to the global humiliation the Party has faced so far.

Ramachandran, trained by the Thomson Foundation, London, is a reputed Editor and Writer, based in Kochi, Kerala. With four decades of experience in Journalism, he has been Chief Editor of the Janmabhumi Daily, News Editor of The Week and Political Commentator of Malayala Manorama. He is a historian and a creative wiiter with a dozen books to his credit, including a novel. He is a columnist in Indian and International media.

Though the common factor in Islam and communism, for many political pundits, is violence in the name of compassion, there have been many attempts to merge the two in an absurdity called Islamic socialism.

Islamic socialism is said to be a political philosophy that incorporates Islamic principles into socialism. It was coined by various Muslim leaders to describe a spiritual form of socialism. Islamic socialists often use the Quran to defend their positions.

Muslim socialists believe that the teachings of the Quran and Muhammad especially the zakat are compatible with the principles of socialism and are very supportive of them. They draw inspiration from the early Medinan 'welfare state' established by Muhammad. Muslim socialists found their roots in anti- imperialism. This can especially be seen in the writings of Salama Moussa, who wrote extensively both about socialism and Egyptian nationalism against British rule.

Muslim socialist leaders believe in the derivation of legitimacy from the public and wish to implement a government based on social welfare and the concept of zakat. In practice, this has been seen through guaranteed incomes, pensions, and interest.