WAR AS AN INSTRUMENT TO ACQUIRE POWER — Absolutely Obsolete

Sassanian Empire. The establishment of the Caliphate and the ending of monarchical despotism in Arabia was a major challenge to these two powers. Hence, they wanted to destroy it. As a result, the companions of the Prophet had to face stiff opposition from these quarters. With God’s assistance, they were victorious, and the coercive system of absolute imperialism was ended. Ending a system of coercion that was several thousand years old and replacing it with a system based on freedom was a very revolutionary development. This development unfolded over a period of time. With God’s help, Islam, in the seventh century A.D., broke this ancient system of coercive rule. Thereafter, this transformation assumed the form of a process that began to unfold through human history. Belgian historian, Henri Pirenne has acknowledged this historical fact with these words, “Islam changed the face of the globe. The traditional order of history was overthrown.” Islam then went through various ups and downs and reached its climax in the 20th century, when political power became very limited, remaining essentially in the form of administration. And so, today the influence of political institutions on human religious life is minimal. In almost all spheres of life, people are now free of political interference and can manage these spheres as they like. This enormous change in the system of human life is in favour of Islam. As with other people, it is now possible for the followers of Islam to mould and lead their lives, free of coercion or interference. The shift of the focus of influence from politics to institutions has rendered political power into nothing but a political headache. Today, we live in an age where institutions now enjoy the influence that political power and monarchs once did. Like other people, the followers of Islam too, can establish all sorts of institutions to progress in all spheres of life. In this way, they can progress even in the political sphere. Through institutions, they can establish their influence in a manner that was earlier possible only through the possession of political power. By setting up educational institutions, they can educate and train the next generation. Through media houses, they can help shape the intellectual climate of society. Through books and scholarship, they can spread their views. Through research institutions, they can