The Ascent of Humanity
The global domination of Islam also appears inevitable
in the context of the idea of cosmic evolution, as explained in the following
paragraphs:
In sharp contrast to all the materialistic theories of
modern science, the Holy Qur’an teaches us that Allah (SWT) is the only real
force behind every creative activity that takes place in the universe. The
clear and obvious signs of purpose and direction in the cosmos indicate that
there is an intelligent mind at work, as pure chance could only have produced
total chaos. The cosmic existence, as the Holy Qur’an proclaims again and
again, is something profoundly meaningful. The evolution of the universe in the direction
of a predetermined
goal is what provides everything with a single grand
purpose. The universe is continuously in a process of evolution, constantly
working to perfect itself.
According to Dr. Muhammad Rafiuddin (whose philosophy of
history was mentioned earlier), the cause of the evolution of cosmos is the
desire or the will of the Creator. This desire or will of Allah (SWT) is
flowing in the universe as a current of consciousness, changing the universe
with a view to bringing it to the stage of its highest perfection. This cosmic
evolution can be described as taking place in several stages, as follows:
The first stage was that of physical evolution, from the
Big Bang up to the time when simple chemical compounds grew into complex
organic molecules, leading to the emergence of life on earth. This stage of
purely physical change was directed by the
Divine current of
consciousness that continuously
runs through all matter,
causing it to
behave in specific
ways, commonly known as the “laws of nature.”
The second stage was that of biological evolution, when
the same current
of consciousness took
the form of an
indwelling life-force (compare Bergson’s élan vital), which directed the
process towards the creation of the perfect animal, the Homo sapiens. It has
been theorized on the basis of the pointers in the Holy Qur’an that, at this
stage, Almighty Allah (SWT) selected a single pair of these human-animals, and
endowed them with their spiritual souls; this was the creation of Adam and Eve,
the primordial human pair.
The third stage was that of intellectual evolution, when
the current of consciousness took the form of an urge for Beauty and
Perfection, expressing itself in the love of an ideal (compare Freud’s Libido),
guiding the process towards the climax of intellectual and psychological development,
that was finally achieved in the personality of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).
The fourth stage was that of the collective social
evolution of humanity,
reaching its zenith
in the life
and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), when the true way of life or
Deen al-Huq was perfected and the ideal system of social, economic, and
political Justice was presented to the mankind in its final form.
At the present moment, humanity is passing through the
final stage of its evolution. The Divine current of consciousness is still
active in the collective mind of humanity, urging and guiding us towards the
ultimate state of human perfection, i.e., towards the establishment of the
global culture-civilization that will be based upon the teachings of the
Qur’an. In this way the philosophy
of Ideals, as
developed by Dr.
Muhammad Rafiuddin, makes it even more understandable how the global
domination of Islam before the end of the world is inevitable from an
evolutionary stand point.
This global domination of Islam has been clearly
predicted in the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), three of which are quoted
below:
(1) According to a tradition that
is narrated by Imam Ahmad (RA) on the authority of Nauman Ibn Bashir (RAA),
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said to his Companions: “The period
of Prophethood will remain among you so long as Allah wills, then He shall
cause it to end. After that, there will be Khilafah among you on the pattern of
Prophethood, and this will last as long as Allah wills, and then He shall cause
it to end. After that, there will be a reign of oppressive monarchy, and this
will also last as long as Allah wills, and then He shall cause it to end. After
that there will be a period of enslavement, and this will last as long as Allah
wills, then He shall cause it to end. Finally, there will again be Khilafah on
the pattern of Prophethood.”
(2)
In another tradition narrated by
Imam Muslim (RA) on the authority of Thauban (RAA), the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
is reported to have said: “Allah (SWT) folded up the whole earth for me (in a
vision), so that I was able to see all the easts and all the wests, and surely
the domination of my followers will be established over all those places that
were shown to me by thus folding the earth.”
(3) Imam Ahmad (RA) has narrated,
on the authority of Miqdad Ibn Aswad (RAA), that the Prophet of God (SAW) is
reported to have said: “There shall be no house on the entire earth — neither
of bricks nor one made of camel’s skin — but Allah (SWT) will cause the word of
Islam to enter it, either with the honor of the one who deserves honor, or with
the subjugation of the one who is defeated.” (That is to say, God will confer
honor on some and they will embrace Islam, and He will cause the others to give
up fighting and they will surrender before the rule of Islam.) ****
