Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 77
77 the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. A time was to come, according to this prophecy, when somewhere outside Palestine, a man would raise a flag. This man would call the nations of the world, who would swiftly answer his call and gather around him. Those who responded to him would shun sloth and indolence and make great sacrifices for their cause. They would take part in wars and their horses’ hoofs would emit fire like flint. Their attacks on their enemy would resemble a whirlwind. They would completely overpower their enemy whom no one would be able to save. And why should they do all this? Because they would see that the world was full of darkness and a big change called for. This prophecy applies in its entirety to the Holy Prophet of Islam. There is a reference to it in the Quran also. In accordance with it, the Holy Prophet appeared away from Palestine in Mecca, and raised his flag in Medina; it was he who announced to the world: Say, O mankind, truly I am a Messenger to you all. 82 It was his voice to which men and women from the ends of the earth responded with great alacrity. In Jesus life not one convert came from outside Israel. All his disciples came from within a radius of 40 to 50 miles. But believers in the Prophet of Islam came from Yemen and Najd and Iran, and among them were idol-worshippers and Jews and Christians. They made such great sacrifices at the Prophet’s call and exerted themselves for it so ungrudgingly that the worst enemies of Islam feel constrained to pay a tribute to their spirit of devotion and sacrifice. God Himself pays a tribute to them in the Quran thus: Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him. 83 There are some of them, who have fulfilled their vow, and some who still wait. 84 The Prophet’s followers had to take part in wars and to make use of bows and arrows. Their horses’ hoofs were like flint and their wheels like the whirlwind. To this also there is a clear reference in the Quran: By the panting chargers of the warriors, striking sparks of fire, making raids at dawn, and raising clouds of dust therewith, and penetrating thereby into the centre of the enemy forces. 85 This is a description of the warriors of early Islam, and how truly does it correspond to the prophecy of Isaiah. We have in one part of the prophecy: And if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. 86 The Quran refers to this in 30:41 thus: Corruption has appeared on land and sea. That is, both human wisdom and divine teaching have become dark and both point to the need of a new Teacher, bearer of a new Message from God;