THE FEAR OF GOD

These ideas led to the Marxist revolution in Russia in 1917, whereupon the system of state-ownership was introduced by force. However, as events unfolded, it became apparent that in the guise of the noownership system, this had become the most tyrannical regime in modern history, with the rulers proving to be the most oppressive and dictatorial ever witnessed. Instead of collective ownership improving the lot of the underprivileged, it only encouraged further oppression and coerciveness on the part of the rulers. Similarly, in the second half of the twentieth century, colonialism was branded as an evil, and movements for independence were launched against it on a massive scale. The moving spirits behind these movements held that foreign rule was the cause of all evils, not the least being oppression, and that if it could be replaced by home rule, oppression would die a natural death. These movements for national freedom eventually proved a resounding success and in all the newly freed former colonies, Government posts were promptly secured by the sons of the soil. But oppression and evil did not disappear. Hence rulers continued to be tyrants. Power had only changed hands. Only the fear of God can hold a man in power to the observance of proper standards of truth and justice. Islam, tells us that all such claims made for improved temporal systems are without foundation; the only factor that can affect true reform is the fear of God. Nothing else can hold a man in power to the observance of proper standards of truth and justice. The best historical illustration of this theory is the conduct of the Prophet and his companions. They wielded power, but they remained untarnished by the corruption rampant among the rulers who came before and after them. Their probity was unparalleled; as such it was living proof of the Islamic claim that only the fear of God will right the wrongs of this world. o