The New World Order of Islam — Page 118
New World Order 118 them to bring about conditions of equal opportunity for all and to provide for the legitimate needs of the people. The Khulaf a ’ (Caliphs) interpreted and gave practical effect to the teachings of Islam in this respect according to the needs of their time. As I have indicated, there used to be a regular census in the time of Hadrat ‘Umar ra and a record was kept of every individual. The Islamic treasury was responsible for the legitimate needs of every person. Originally, this system applied only to those who were capable of bearing arms, but Hadrat ‘Umar ra recognised that the responsibility of the State extended to other people also. Eventually, provision was made for all deserving persons out of the treasury. In short, the Khulaf a ’ (Caliphs) gave effect to the Islamic teachings according to the circumstances of their time. Today human life and society have become much more complex, so a new system is called for to give effect to that teaching. For the establishment of the new system it was inevitable that some one, raised by God, should inaugurate a New Order to put an end to the pains and miseries of mankind, an Order not of man, but of Heaven, one really equal to the needs of the poor and able to restore peace and contentment to all mankind. Every person, who believes that the Holy Prophet sa had prophesied the advent of a Messiah and Mahdi, must admit that it was the function of the Promised One to find a remedy for the disorder,