Islam - The Summit of Religious Evolution — Page 64
64 common nationality. Such a fusion between these two people never occurred during the Christian rule. Under Rome, Egypt and Syria were parts of the same empire, but the mode of administration in the two countries remained different. Egypt was a semi-independent kingdom and Assyria was under a Roman Governor. The Egyptian Church was also different from the Assyrian Church. In Egypt, under the influence of the Alexandrian Church, Christianity had assumed a form that differed from that of the Palestinian or Syrian Church. The Egyptians worshipped in their local language, Coptic, and Syrians in a corrupt mixture of Hebrew and Greek. The situation changed drastically after the advent of Islam. Subsequently, Egypt and Syria remained under one rule for centuries and both countries began to speak and still speak one language. Both adopted and still practice a common mode of worship. Both developed a common consciousness; Syrian scholars went to Egypt and were honored by the Egyptians. Similarly, Egyptian scholars went to Syria and were honored by their Egyptians piers. Even today, while the Muslim world is politically fragmented, the Arab League is a united body of Egyptians, Syrians and Palestinians. The three seem to share and are proud of a common nationality. This prophecy of Isaiah, therefore, was fulfilled in and through the Holy Prophet of Islam and his followers. To apply this to Jesus and the Christian Church seems utter extravagance. VI. Again, Isaiah describes the naming of a new nation: 81 And thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Quite evidently, the prophecy foretells of a new movement, with a new name; the new name will not be one assumed by human action, but would be proposed by God in His revealed word. Annotators of the Bible apply this prophecy to the Christian Church, notwithstanding the common knowledge that the names Christian and Christianity, or the many names by which Christian sects are known, were never proposed by God in His revealed word but were assumed by the people. Muslims are thus the only people named by Devine revelation in fulfillment of this prophecy. Thus the Quran says: 82 He named you Muslims both before and in this Book. This is a clear reference to the prophecies of Isaiah. The verse of the Quran seems to say, “We foretold that your name will not be one of your choice but one of Our choice”. Accordingly, today, We give you the name "Muslim". The name is derived from salam which means peace, and this is in keeping with one of the titles of the Promised Prophet, "Prince of Peace". The prophecy was simply marvelous. Equally marvelous is the fact that only Muslims claim to have received their name from God in His own revealed word. Isaiah foretold that a Prophet would come, the name of whose followers would be chosen by God and announced in His revealed word. The Holy Prophet of Islam is that Prophet whose message was named Islam and, his followers, Muslims by God. VII. Isaiah further states God's promise to create New heavens and a new earth and also states that the former things will not be remembered: 83 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice for ever in which that I create;