FOREWORD

“Islam changed the face of the globe. The traditional order of history was overthrown.” (Henri Pirenne, A History of Europe, London, 1958, p. 46) A significant change brought about by the sacrifices of the Companions was that, for the first time in human history, the age of nature worship was replaced by the era of God worship. All the far-reaching changes made in human history in later centuries were the direct or indirect result of this revolution that the Companions brought about. The third role in history is to be played by the group, which is called the Ikhwan (brothers) of the Prophet. According to a Hadith, the Prophet told his Companions, “I wish to see my brothers.” The Companions asked him if they were not his brothers. The Prophet replied, “No, you are my Companions. My brothers will come after me.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 249) The Prophet’s contemporary believers who supported him in his mission are called the “Companions” of the Prophet. The “brothers” are those who will dedicate themselves to conveying this divine message to the people of the last phase of human history. In another Hadith, the mission of the Brothers of the Prophet is described thus: