ON THE THRESHOLD OF PARADISE

a further leap forward when oil was discovered as fuel 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 mechanised transportation, the rapid communication of news, and the building of cities along modern lines. In this way, there came into existence a whole new world, both beautiful and meaningful, with a fresh viewpoint on co-operation and education, which was called the industrial civilization. The fourth phase of civilization is what Alvin Toffler has called the Superindustrial Age. In his view, the most exceptional aspect of this age will be complete automation, i.e. the use of electronics and control systems will be on such a large scale that most jobs will be performed with the absolute minimum of human intervention. In a normal situation a man would, ideally, be able single-handedly to fulfil all of his own personal requirements. The advent of automation is an advance intimation of the joys of Paradise. Indeed, of Paradise, the Quran says: “There you shall find all that your souls desire and all that you can ask for: a rich provision from a benevolent and merciful God.” THE QURAN, 41: 31 From the scientific and academic standpoint, the above-mentioned facts make the ideal age of the future — the ‘spiritual civilization’— understandable in terms of being a super-industrial age. This fourth phase of civilization is yet to reach realisation, but it is in this phase that the ideal world — in religious terms, Paradise — will most probably take shape. The present transitional period is a condition which may be called ‘Paradise-in-the-making’. Paradise is the final period of the journey of civilization. Such a world by the law of nature will definitely come into existence in due course. Therein, all types of limitations and disadvantages will be brought to an end; there will be no fear or grief, nor will there be any hurt or pain. All those potentialities which have been apparent to man from the very first day will be fulfilled in the world of Paradise.