Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 351
351 21 The Role of Islam MANKIND HAS DEFINITELY ENTERED upon a new era. Its outstanding characteristic is the rapid forward march of science and technology. Man’s knowledge of, and mastery over, the forces of nature is fast expanding. The prospect ahead is instinct with eager hope, but there is also an obverse of fear and dread. All increase of knowledge is an accession of strength and should be welcomed as a Divine bounty. The fear results from doubt concerning the application of the vast knowledge to which mankind is becoming heir in daily increasing volume and from apprehension of the almost unlimited power which such knowledge could place in man’s hands. Is it possible to ensure that application will be wholly beneficent in the service of man, so that all fear of misapplication can be eliminated? Inasmuch as man has been given free choice in these matters, there can be no guarantee, one way or the other, how knowledge and power might be used and applied. It is, however, the province of religion to