THE RELIGION OF PEACE

people to acquire independent economic means outside the domain of governmental control. This economic transformation has, in turn, made the possibility of governmental coercion even less possible. Likewise, today there is something that can be called a ‘media deterrent’. In modern times, the development of media and communications has made it possible for news about a local happening to be broadcast almost immediately across the rest of the world, so that people everywhere can come to know about it. This is a massive check that has made it virtually impossible to resuscitate the old-style political empires. Now, no emperor can do whatever he likes without fear of censure, unlike before. In the same way, today we have what can be called a ‘universal deterrent’ in the form of the United Nations, Amnesty International and numerous human rights groups. No ruler can afford to turn a blind eye to them or to act against them for too long. Following these momentous changes at the global level, human history entered a new phase. Now the peaceful method has gained the status of being a completely successful method. Now, using this method alone, from start to finish, one can carry out efforts for any goal without needing to use violence at any stage. Relying only on peaceful means throughout, one can now reach the pinnacle of success. The fact is that the violent method has now become an anachronism. It is contrary to the spirit of the age. All the changes of the present times are in favour of Islam, and it is one of the results of the revolution created by Islam itself. This happened so that opportunities for conveying the peaceful message could be opened up to the utmost extent. The followers of Islam now have no need to enter into any confrontation and by adopting peaceful methods they can convey the message. o Relying only on peaceful means throughout, one can now reach the pinnacle of success. The violent method has now become an anachronism. It is contrary to the spirit of the age.