Islam and Peace by Maulana Waiduddin Khan - page 263

Islam and Peace
Non-Violence and Islam
~ 263 ~
although God’s unassailable truth had always
existed, it had become obscured by false and
misguided ideas, because thinking, the arts and
learning in general had all become fettered by
superstition and idolatry. This had led to a veil
being thrown over true religion, which was the only
proper vehicle for God’s truth. The coercive systems
of the monarchies which prevailed all over the
world at that time were responsible for
perpetuating this state of affairs, for any intellectual
freedom, particularly the freedom of religion,
would have been a challenge to their supreme
authority. Under such systems, there could be only
such social development as suited individual rulers,
and there could be no scientific development
whatsoever.
Systems of governance which depended on
religious persecution had, therefore, to be
overthrown, so that a propitious atmosphere could
be created for the performance of
dawah
of the true
religion. This was carried into effect with
resounding success by the Prophet and his
companions and all arguments were rallied in
support of God’s true religion, so that all other
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