The Indispensability of Islam

The Indispensability of Islam

1990 9 September 12-13 The Indispensability of Islam (554) We have many lessons to learn from a book recently published on modern Japan, which is interestingly titled Japan That Can Say No. Its authors are men of distinction in separate fields: Shintaro Ishihara, who has twice been elected to ministerial posts, and Akio Morita, the chairman of the internationally famous Soni Corporation.

An important point made by this book is that however much the USA increases its military strength, it has reached a stage in its economy where it cannot afford to do anything against Japan. This is because the Americans need the Japanese. For instance, if Japan stops selling its micro-chips to the USA the American computer industry will be adversely affected. Even the modern stealth bomber cannot be built without Japanese technology. As the writers put it, “If one doesn’t use Japanese semi-conductors, one cannot guarantee precision.”

This is the way of the world. Only those may live undisturbed in this world who make themselves indispensable to others. To do this they must demonstrate their ability not only to ‘deliver the goods’ but to produce goods and a better system of delivery than anyone else in the field. In this way, others become totally dependant upon their excellence. No one can then slight or ignore them.

Japan has proved its worth from the material and economic standpoint. The existence of this ‘worth’ greatly favours Islam. Just as, because of Japan’s exceptional viability, the USA – and other countries – cannot ignore it, similarly the extraordinary viability of Islam from the religious and human aspects, if the world could but know it, will make it impossible for others to ignore Islam.

It is here that Islam has a leading role to play, for just as Japan has proved its viability in material concerns to the point where no one may flout or ignore it, so has Islam to demonstrate its ‘viability’ in spiritual matters. This form of profitability is actually the monopoly of Islam. It is only in Islam – and not in any other religious or non-religious system – that the welfare and moral uplift of humanity can be adequately promoted.

Today, Islam is telling the world that if you cannot find room in your heart from remembrance of God, you will find neither peace of mind nor solace for the heart; if you do not believe in the concept of one God, you will not be able to explain an otherwise incomprehensible universe; if you do not adopt Islam, you will lose the opportunity of entering into the only religion in the world with established historical credibility.

Islam tells us that without belief in the Islamic concept of man, a system of equality can never be established in society. Without belief in the Day of Judgement, no intellectual basis can exist for the reformation of mankind. Without acceptance of Islamic history, real examples of high moral conduct will not be available.

It is as a living nation, a nation which could persevere for 40 years in spite of all adverse circumstances, that Japan has realized its full potential. In a similar way, it will take a living nation to realize the far greater potential of Islam. But this ‘living nation’ simply does not exist anywhere at this point in time. For this reason, Islam’s potential has likewise remained unrealized in the world of today.