IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL ------------------------------------------------------------------ AL - RISALA FORUM INTERNATIONAL; http://www.alrisala.org ------------------------------------------------------------------ Article #77 ISLAM STANDS THE TEST OF HISTORY Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Islam, according to its claim is an eternal religion. Any claim of this kind invites people to judge its validity on historical ground. If the history of later days testifies its claim, then, this claim is endorsed, otherwise it stands rejected. There is a clear-cut example of Marxism in the 20th century in this regard. Carl Marx, according to his concept of historical determinism, claimed that modern industrial capitalism is a thesis, and then according to its inherent laws there would emerge its antithesis, which will destroy the industrial capitalism and a new synthesis will emerge. But quite against his prediction, industrial capitalism has survived, and is making progress. This historical experience has finally buried Marxist theory. The case of Islam is quite different Even after a period of one thousand five hundred years Islam has maintained its validity without the slightest erosion. Here we quote a few instances in this regard. The Prophet of Islam received first revelations in 610 AD. He faced great opposition right from his family to the outside world. In this initial stage he was totally helpless, at that adverse situation he received a revelation from God. It has been recorded in the Quran in these words: They want to extinguish God's light with their mouths. But God will perfect His light, even though the unbelievers may detest it. It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of Truth. That he may make it prevail over all religions, even though the pagans may detest it. (61:8-9) The well-known British historian Edward Gibbon describes the rise and expansion of Islam as "one of the most memorable revolutions which has impressed a new and lasting character on the nations of the globe." An Indian historian M.N. Roy has acknowledged the Prophet of Islam in these words: "Muhammad must be recognized as by far the greatest of all Prophets, before or after him. The expansion of Islam is the most miraculous of all miracles.' (The Historical Role of Islam, p. 4-5) The American writer, Michael Hart has written a book titled "The 100." This book has selected 100 most influential persons in history who have achieved most outstanding success in this world. It is the Prophet of Islam who tops the list of one hundred most prominent people outlining his historical account, the author writes: "He was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels." The great success that the Prophet of Islam had predicted for his mission at the very beginning exactly came true. This exceptional event serves as a historical testimony in favor of his Prophethood. This fact has been described in the Quran several times in different wording. In the very beginning of the Prophetic career, the Quran declared that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) would certainly succeed in his mission. All his opponents, however powerful they might be will ultimately be defeated. In history, we find numerous personalities who began their work with towering claims. For instance Hitler, before the Second World War had declared that his Nazi party was destined to rule all Europe. But none of these leaders achieved success as claimed. Throughout human history, Prophet of Islam is the only exception that succeeded fully according to his claim. Through the Prophet and his companions, this unique event took place that they began from zero point and succeeded in influencing the entire populated world of the time During this brief period they not only conquered Arabia but also managed to crush the two greatest empires-Roman and Sassanid-of their time. Almost all the historians have acknowledged this exceptional event of history. The Quran was revealed prior to the modern age of knowledge. Fourteen hundred years ago, at the time of revelation, the Quran had declared that the proof of this book being a divine book lay in its being in complete accordance with the facts and discoveries made in the present as well as in the future. The Quran and knowledge will never come into conflict with one another. The Quran states: "Do they not ponder on the Quran? Had it been from other than God, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy. (4:82) The word 'Discrepancy' here means inconsistency that is Quranic statement not agreeing with external knowledge. In this verse the Quran has declared that the proof of the Quran being a divine book is that howsoever advancement is made in human knowledge, it will never conflict / contradict with Quranic statements. The later day history has astonishingly testified to it. The statements contained in all the ancient books have been at loggerheads with the latest scientific discoveries. While the Quran is the only exception, which steers clear from all such contradictions. Much has been written on this aspect of the Qur'an in modern times. Here I would like to refer to one book written by Maurice Bucaille, a French scientist, titled The Bible, The Quran and Modern Science, the writer has shown in detail in this book that the statements contained in the Quran are astonishingly in exact accordance with the discoveries of modern science. This aspect of the Quran shows that the Quran perfectly comes up to the scientific standard. This development of human knowledge in favor of the Quranic contents is not an accident. It is another historical proof that the Quran is a book revealed from the Creator of the universe whose knowledge exceeds over all limitations of time and space. Hence, we find in the Quran (41:53) a unique prediction to this effect: "We will soon show them our signs in the Universe and their own Souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth." (41:53) To sum up, there is no other person whose success in future was as uncertain as that of the Prophet of Islam when he first began his message. However, his mission, as we noticed earlier, was crowned with supreme success. Similarly, there is no other scripture that ever challenged the entire mankind to disprove its authenticity as the Quran did, and finally got all rational support for its supernatural origin and truthfulness / veracity even from its bitterest opponents. After a comparative study of the Quran and modern science Maurice Bucaille concludes this discussion with these words: "In view of the level of knowledge in Muhammad's day, it is inconceivable that many of the statements in the Quran which are connected with science could have been the work of a man. It is, moreover, perfectly legitimate, not only to regard the Quran as the expression of a Revelation but also to award it a very special place, on account of the guarantee of authenticity it provides and the presence in it of scientific statements which, when studied today, appear as a challenge to explanation in human terms. (P.252) MAULANA WAHIDUDDIN KHAN President, The Islamic Centre, 1, Nizamuddin West Market, New Delhi - 110 013; INDIA Tel. 91-11-4625454, 4611128 Fax 91-11-4697333, 4647980 e-mail: Maulana@alrisala.org website: www.alrisala.org |