NEW PHASE OF HISTORY

In the Spirit of the Age

ISLAM emerged in the seventh century following which and as result of the efforts of the followers of Islam, a revolution came about in the world. According to tradition, the Prophet of Islam had made a prediction of this revolution. In one report, the Prophet said: “There is no migration (hijrat) after the conquest (fath) of Makkah.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

In this Hadith, the words hijrat and fath are not meant in a temporary sense. Rather, they signify a change in age. This means that after the changes effected by the advent of Islam, a new period would dawn in the world. The model of the seventh century would become obsolete. That is, the sequence for any religious endeavour or practice that was employed in the case of Islam—migrating (hijrath) to another land and then engaging in armed Jihad—would be rendered unnecessary. The conditions which led to migration and war in the seventh century do not exist any longer. Freedom of thought and expression and the freedom of religion or belief is now considered a fundamental human right. In the present times, Muslims would be only required to carry out their religious duties and enterprises by keeping in mind the spirit of the age.

Similarly, the Prophet said: “When Khosrow is destroyed, there will be no Khosrow after him; and when Caesar is destroyed, there will be no Caesar after him.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Here, too, the words ‘Khosrow’ and ‘Caesar’ are used in a symbolic way. This means that the age of despotism has ended and will not come back again.

In this Hadith of the Prophet, using the language of prediction a historical fact has been expressed. And that is, following the emergence of Islam, despotism and imperialism will come to an end. In the ancient past, owing to monarchical rule and imperialist dynasties, religious movements faced persecution by government authorities. But in today’s times religious movements will not face any such persecution. The planning of a religious movement will now be on a purely nonpolitical basis. From start to finish, those working for a religious cause will get the opportunity to work in peaceful conditions, without any threat of violence. Now, until the Day of Judgment, no enterprise working purely for the sake of religion will have to face persecution of the kind such movements had to face earlier only for the reason that they had stood for a religion they believed to be true.