It
must be said at the outset that this is no scholarly dissertation for academic
appraisal nor does it aspire to qualify for theological approval. It is simply
the attempt of a layman to understand and share that understanding with others.
During
the thousands of years of Man’s existence numerous civilisations have come and
gone. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) tells us that one hundred and twenty four thousand
Prophets were sent, presumably therefore as many religions came and except for
a small number remaining till today all the rest vanished. All species face
death and disappear. Innovations, discoveries, technologies have always come
only to become obsolete with time. It tells us that change and evolution are
probably the most essential dynamics in the Divine scheme of things.
However
there are constants too, for the believer God is an absolute constant. The Sun,
Moon and various planets have been there for millions of years. What about the
search for knowledge and truth? Have they not been a constant endeavour of
mankind? Evil and good have existed since Adam. The need for security and a
competitive spirit has been part of our nature. The capacity to love and the
desire to kill coexist in humans just as the aspiration for freedom and the
instinct to subjugate are ever present. Power and piety have always had their
disciples. Extremists and moderates have for ever battled for ascendancy.