The Message of Islam — Page 3
A Living Message 3 from among the Muslims, at the beginning of each century, those who would be inspired to revive the faith by drawing attention to the guidance contained in the Quran apposite to current condi- tions. History has confirmed the truth of this assurance conveyed by the Prophet saw. A Living Message The last century has, however, witnessed the onset of a tremen- dous revolution in human values in all spheres of life. Standards that had been accepted and subscribed to through centuries are undergoing rapid revision and modification. The very dimensions of human life are being reshaped, so that scholars and thinkers are beginning to stress the need of a new revelation. Yet, the Quran is quite clear that the guidance contained therein would prove ade- quate during all stages at all times. What provision, it may be asked, is there in the Quran to meet the contingency with which mankind is faced today, and which is likely to grow evermore insistent during all the tomorrows that lie ahead? To meet this contingency the Quran announced that the Prophet saw had not only been raised in the generation among whom he lived, but would also be raised among others who had not yet joined them (see Surah al-An‘aam, 62:3–4). This meant a spiritual second advent of the Prophet saw for the purpose of setting forth from the Quran guidance that may be needed in the new age, and for illustrating the values demanded by the exi- gencies with which man may then be faced. This promise has been fulfilled in the advent of Ahmad, may peace be on him,