Absolute Justice, Kindness and Kinship — Page 145
— Part I 144 concerted efforts, God has ensured that all attempts to change the straight path will ultimately be frustrated. The promise of the restoration of the true teachings of Islam at least once every hundred years by a Divinely guided leader ensures that man-made changes and other signs of natural decay are repaired periodically. In any event, the true meaning of Wasa t an is that the Prophet sa of Islam is free from crookedness and one-sided leanings, as also are his umma and his teachings. It should be borne in mind that the concept of the straight path was gradually expanded through the ages and was developed in stages alongside the progress of man. The term 'straight path' is also found in religions prior to Islam. For example, in the above mentioned verse, the Holy Prophet sa referring to his own religion as the straight path attributes the same to Abraham as and declares himself to be in line with his teachings. What was the difference between the straight path shown to Abraham as and the one shown to Muhammad sa ? The difference was only one of degrees. Right from the inception of religion, man was guided on the right path. But prior to Islam all religions were revealed in accordance with the requirements of a particular age or nation. There was no universal religion. Hence the definition of the straight path was limited in keeping with the specific requirements of a particular time or nation. In the Quran, Allah states: