The Creation Plan of God
Discovery of Islam
~ 25 ~
mere association with the
Ummah
(community)
was enough to secure them paradise. People of the
first generation turned to the original texts as
preserved in the Qur’an and Sunnah to seek
guidance in every matter; while people of the later
generation referred to the commentaries and
interpretations produced afterwards. In the first
phase
self-reckoning
and
criticism
were
appreciated, but in later times criticism became a
taboo as Muslims became reluctant to accept their
own faults, considering themselves above any
shortcoming.
Due to these differences, the religion of the first
phase of Islam became an unknown religion for
the people of the later phase. Indeed, when they
were called to the religion of the first phase, they
found it so unfamiliar to their thinking and
practices that they became dire opponents of such
a call. However, there is no doubt that one who
loses his popularity among the people as a result
of calling them to the original Islam will have a
great reward reserved for him by God in the
Hereafter.
