On the Threshold of Paradise

PARADISE: THE DESTINATION OF MAN The industrial period began when man moved away from animal power and invented mechanical power. Now man converted water into steam power and made steam engines. There was a further leap forward when petrol was discovered and used for propulsion. Similarly, modern methods of communication were developed, which converted the whole world into a global village. In the Industrial Age, by using mechanical power, man engaged in new enterprises such as the production of fastmoving vehicles, the rapid communication of news, the setting up of paper mills and the building of cities along modern lines. In this way, a whole new world, beautiful and meaningful, came into existence, with a fresh viewpoint on education and learning, called industrial civilisation. Alvin Toffler called the Super-industrial Age the fourth phase of civilisation. In his view, the most distinctive aspect of this age will be complete automation, i.e., the use of electronics will be on such a large scale that most jobs will be performed with the absolute minimum human control or intervention. In a normal situation, a man would, ideally, be able to fulfil all his requirements single-handedly. The advent of automation is an advance intimation of the joys of Paradise. Indeed, of Paradise, the Quran says: “We are your companions in this life and the Hereafter. Therein you shall have all that your souls desire, and therein you shall have all you ask for as a rich provision from One who is ever forgiving and most merciful.’ (41:31)