Souls Stand in Wait

Souls Stand in Wait

1987 11 November 8 Souls Stand in Wait (302) All souls indeed, stand in wait for the opportunity to enter the everlasting world of God Almighty. So great is the power of Islam to win over the human heart, that it can even overcome the force of arms.

The Turks captured the Greek island of Crete in 1669 AD, following which several wars were fought between Turkey and Greece for control of the island. Turkish rule finally came to an end in 1898 AD, but there is still considerable mention of Crete in the history of the Turks. One such history book, written by Mohammad Hafiz Qurayshi, and published in Lahore in 1922, summarizes events from the beginning of the Ottoman Empire to the deposition of king Abdul Majeed II. Referring to the Turkish war with Crete, the author writes:

“In 1066 AH, a Christian naval commander from amongst the Venetians came before Sultan Mohammed Khan IV, along with 30 soldiers who had accepted Islam in all good heart, on the way to Turkey. Hearing this the Sultan congratulated him and put him in charge of a ship-building yard. Not only did he please the Sultan, but he also rendered countless services to Islam in this way more than atoning for his past misdeeds” (pp. 105-106).

In Islamic history, there are numerous instances of enemies coming over to Islam in the very midst of hostilities, leaving their own ranks and joining the ranks of the Muslims. This demonstrates the ability of Islam to win over people’s hearts. The truth is, Islam is the religion of nature and, as such, it holds immense appeal for all human beings, there being a secret longing for Islam already lodged in their hearts. All souls indeed, stand in wait for the opportunity to enter the everlasting world of God Almighty. So great is the power of Islam to win over the human heart, that it can even overcome the force of arms. It can be effective even in the heat of battle, and as history has shown, has put an end to age-long enmity.