The Call of Dawah in the Modern Age March-April

as the sacred right of the individual, the principle of autocratic rule yielded pride of place to the rule of the people, culminating in the spread of democracy throughout Europe and the rest of the world. This global intellectual revolution ushered in a new era in human history in which there were vast opportunities for the dayees to practise dawah freely all over the world without any hindrance. The second aspect of God’s easing of the way for propagators of the faith was the introduction of the concept of monotheism in order to demythologize the natural phenomena of the universe, thus clearing the way to their becoming the legitimate objects of rational investigation. Polytheism had formerly stood in the way of their being scrutinized, holding them to be objects of religious reverence. This investigation blossomed over the centuries into modem scientific research, which has examined these phenomena in great detail, finally setting its seal of approval on them as proofs of the existence of a Supreme Creator. These proofs remained mostly undiscovered before this revolution took place, although the Quran had many centuries earlier declared: “We shall show them Our signs in all the regions of the earth and in their own souls, until they see clearly that this is the truth.” (41:53) These developments represented a great leap forward in the intellectual field, which spread to Europe, where in its more propitious atmosphere, it culminated in the great modern scientific revolution. (The study of nature which has provided scientific affirmation of the truth of the call of the Quran has been dealt with in detail in my book, God Arises). The third way in which God facilitated matters for dayees is was to establish the prophethood of Muhammad (may peace be upon him) for all time and with such finality as would admit of no