The Ninth Premise
It is a fact recognized by those of sound thinking and reason that in creation what is good is original, essential, all-inclusive, and prominent, and what is evil is derivative, and of a minor or second degree. We can elaborate on this as follows:
There is a branch of science that has been developed or is developing to study every species of creation. Each species has general characteristics of its own, and there are general principles that dominate its existence and govern its life; it can be said that the branch of science that studies each species consists of those general principles. That the principles are general exposes the beauty of the order in the life of that species. This means that all sciences bear true witness to the beauty of the order of the universe. The universal system, with its complete, organism-like structure, is a proof of this orderly beauty. If something does not have an order, there can be no general rule or principle for its existence. Many exceptions destroy the beauty of orderliness. The principle of induction (and the existence of the “general laws of nature”) proves this thesis. However, sometimes we cannot see this universal order because of our incapacity to comprehend the whole of existence or even a species in its totality. This causes the universal order to not display itself in all its dimensions. Whereas, all of the “natural” sciences that are based on general rules or laws and the principle of induction prove that the basic and observable purpose for the creation of the universe is good, beauty, truth, and perfection. Evil, ugliness, and falsehood are superficial, derivative, and concocted. Even if they sometimes appear to prevail, this is temporary.
It is a fact that the most honorable and noble creation is humanity, and among humanity the people of truth are the most illustrious and honorable. As the truths of Islam bear witness to this, so too will future events bear it out. It is also a fact that the most perfect among existence in general and humanity in particular is Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. This is testified by his miracles, perfect morals, exceptional and unparalleled accomplishments, confirmed by verifying scholars and unbiased researchers and intellectuals, and also acknowledged even by many of his enemies.
In the face of all these established facts or truths, is it possible for humanity to annul the testimony of sciences through its incorrect acts and sinfulness, to falsify or destroy the order of existence which gives rise to the principle of induction; will they be able to resist the absolute Will of God? Will this ever be possible? I swear by the Names of the All-Merciful and the All-Compassionate, of the All-Just and All-Wise One that humanity will not be able to easily digest evil, ugliness, or falsehood. In addition, the Divine Wisdom will not allow this to be.
Aggression against the universal law is not forgiven, and its violation is not permitted. Even if evil were to prevail for numerous years, it would result in at least a thousand years of the victory of good. In addition, in the other world, good will eternally defeat evil and sentence it to eternal extinction. If this were not to be so, other species of creation obedient to the Divine laws of existence would not allow the unjust, wretched humankind to remain alongside them, and they would dismiss humankind from its duty in existence, expelling it to the darkness of non-existence. This would mean that the capacities granted to human beings and the abilities and tendencies with which they have been favored so that they could live a contented life in this world and be rewarded with eternal happiness in the Hereafter were all for nothing. Uselessness or futility is opposed both to the universal order and system, which enables the principle of induction, and to the Wisdom of the All-Wise Maker and the judgment of the truthful and trustworthy Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings. The future will eliminate some such baseless claims, and their complete elimination will occur in the Hereafter.
The prevailing of beauty and truth in existence will be victorious in the future. If we die, our nation will endure. We are not content with forty years of victory; we desire many more years. Nevertheless, the complete and eternal victory of beauty, right or truth, good, and perfection, whether on the individual or collective scale, will happen in the Hereafter, where humankind, like other species that are similar to it, will be punished or rewarded in proportion to their capacity and responsibility. For absolute truth and justice will rule and prevail there. This narrow world is not suitable for the infinite capacities that exist in the essence of human beings or their desires and inclinations that have been created for eternity to blossom in perfection. For this reason, they will be sent to another world where they will be perfected. Humanity has a lofty essence, an exalted nature, and so its crimes become tremendous also. Because of this, its education and obedience to the Divine universal laws are of great importance. It is not like other species. But, like other species, it should also obey the order of creation.
A being created for eternity is great, noble, and illustrious. It cannot be neglected or left to its own devices. It cannot be useless; it cannot be condemned to absolute non-existence, nor can it escape to it. Paradise and Hell are each awaiting their inhabitants; the former with its warm, welcoming arms, and the latter with its mouth wide open.
CONCLUSION
The future of Islam and the Muslim world appears bright, even from afar. For the following four or five irresistible forces work hand in hand for the victory of Islam, which has prevailed in our world for centuries.
The first force is the essential power of Islam, equipped with knowledge and true civilization.
The second is intense neediness or poverty, for the removal of which all means and prerequisites are available.
The third is the vigorous emulation and determined competitiveness, along with the hidden fervor which arise from seeing our world in misery and the world competing with it in prosperity, giving rise to an awakening and mobilization.
The fourth is the natural capacity equipped with unity in word and action, which is a principle belonging to believers in God’s Oneness; and with moderation and composure, informed by the natural environment; and the intellectual enlightenment to which the present time has added; and the exchange and mutual support of ideas that are required by development and civilization; and the purity of disposition that arises from freedom from cultural contamination by modern sedentary life; and the simple lifestyle and endeavor that are necessitated by poverty.
The fifth is the duty of uplifting God’s Word requiring material progress at the present time in particular; and the general tendency towards renewal and development which is equipped by the urge and force of Islam, the requirements of the time, the compulsion of poverty, and with a hope that is revitalized through the death of despair, a negative force that kills every craving and enterprise.
As a support for these five forces, the evils of modern civilization exceed its beauties—a factor that causes unrest among foreigners and makes that civilization grow old; labor is not sufficient for modern, dissipated life. These two developments occur for the following two reasons:
The first allows dissipation and submission to lust, while ignoring religion and virtue as the underlying foundations of civilizations.
The second is an excessive imbalance in living standards, caused by a lack of mercy that results from submission to lust and irreligious life. Indifference to religion in life has darkened the inner face of European civilization to the extent that it has given rise to many rebellious, anarchist groups. If they do not hold fast to the unbreakable cable of the Religion and the insurmountable barrier of the Divine way of life, those rebellious, anarchist groups will destroy their “civilized” world.
If the institution of the Zakah (the Prescribed Purifying Alms)—which is only one of the many substantive principles of the truth of Islam—is taken as one of the foundations of civilization and a rule for mutual help and solidarity, will it not be a cure for this affliction and for that nest of snakes, the alarming imbalance in living standards? Certainly, it is the perfect cure.
If it is asked why that which has secured the superiority of Europe to date will not continue to do so from now on, my reply is as follows:
First study the preface to this book, and then pay attention to what follows:
The reasons for the progress of Europe were the cold climate, which causes people to be tardy both in assimilating and in abandoning (major civilizational trends), and which inures them to hardships; the limited amount of land combined with high density of population, which urged people towards education and industrialization; and mutual helping and solidarity encouraged by the multiplicity of waterways and activities like mining, and the fact that they were surrounded by seas; and other similar factors. But today, the world is becoming a global town where a single community survives due to the developments in transportation and communication. In short, as their burden is heavy while ours is light, we will catch up with them and leave them behind, provided God comes to our aid.
A FINAL CONCLUSION
A constitutional regime and freedom will open the doors to a happy future for Islam and Asia, on condition that they follow the Religion.
A warning: The beautiful things that are found in civilization are, in fact, some elements of the Religion that have been given a new look.
Said Nursi