Islam As It Is
The Universality of Islam
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THE UNIVERSALITY OF ISLAM
Islam dates back to the year 610 AD. At that time
there lived in the Arabian town of Yathrib (later
known as Medina) two tribes—the Aws and the
Khazraj—who were constantly at war with each
other. However, when they became aware of the
truth of the religion revealed to the Prophet
Mohammed, and entered the fold of Islam, they
stopped fighting altogether, and these once deadly
enemies now became close allies. Formerly the lust
for gain had led these tribes to adopt a warlike
stance towards each other, but now, imbued with
higher ideals, they joined hands with each other in
the quest for human progress.
How was it that such a great change came about in
the attitude of these two tribes? The reason is that,
prior to the advent of Islam, they had thought only
of their own greatness. The Aws were bent on
asserting their supremacy over the Khazraj, and
vice versa. This inevitably led to conflict between
the two tribes, with no prospect of their ever being
reconciled to each other, or living together in
harmony. Now, having one common object of
