Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 10
? period, so it fared with the Muslims. The general decline of Muslims had set in through the manoeuvrings of the Christian powers, which had taken the place of the Roman Empire, sometime before the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) announced his claim. They became weak everywhere, their States fell apart, and Islam suffered a severe setback, and Islamic rule was wiped out from the face of the earth. This decline continued during the term of the life of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) and even afterwards. But, as prophecies say, it is ordained that this decadence of Muslims must change into prosperity after a certain time and that they must once again become dominant in the world. It so happened that after their first disaster, the Jews had a second lease of national regeneration through their enemy nation, who helped them rebuild Jerusalem and repatriated them to their national centre. A similar sign occurred following the first decline of Muslims but with far greater glory. The King of Persia and Media, who helped in the rehabilitation of Jews in Jerusalem, was a sincere well-wisher and friend of the Jews but he did not accept their faith. But the Tartar rulers, who conquered the Muslim State, were conquered back by Islam and instead of breaking down the Muslims, they became instrumental in their progress and regeneration, and Islam entered through them on its second term of ascendency.