The Message of Islam — Page 2
2 period of twenty-two years, first in Makkah, then in Madinah; that this period was marked by persecution, disturbance, and fighting; that the Prophet saw himself was not literate; and that there was no sure method of preserving a record of the revelation except through human memory; it is a truly miraculous fact that the text of the Quran has been preserved intact, down to the last vowel point. Even Western scholars, who do not accept the Quran as Divine revelation, affirm that it is word for word that which Muhammad saw gave out to the world as Divine revelation. Second, the language in which the revelation was sent should have continued to be in use as a living language. Classical Arabic, the language of the Quran, is today understood and used as a means of communication over much vaster areas of the earth and by many hundred times more people than was the case in the time of the Prophet saw. These two factors, so essential for the safeguarding of the guidance contained in the revelation, could not have been assured by the Prophet saw in advance. Third, but more was needed. Life is dynamic, and the pattern of human life is subject to constant change. Besides, history tes- tifies that the passage of time brings about a decline in spiritual and moral values. It was inevitable, therefore, that over the cen- turies there should have been a falling off in the true appreciation of Divine guidance set forth in Divine revelation, as applicable to current conditions and situations. The complete safeguard- ing of the Divine revelation thus necessitated a constant process of spiritual revival and rebirth. In the nature of things this must also come about through revelation. It was announced by the Prophet saw that to meet this need God would continue to raise