Islam Rediscovered
13. The Shariah and Its Application
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situation. This test in its nature is like that given to
the people of the first phase. In their case it involved
the discovery of the true claimant to Truth out of
many claimants. Similarly, the test of the Muslims
of later times involved the discovery of that
particular
injunction
applicable
to
their
circumstances and desirable by God. The
emergence of the Prophet was a test for his
contemporaries to see if they could recognise the
true guide, while the arrangement of the Quran
based on a non-revelationary order serves to test
people, on whether they can discover true guidance
or not. Later-day Muslims have to pass this test in
exactly the same way as the people of the first phase
passed a test of the same nature.
The Prophet and the believers of his time lived in
Makkah in the early stage of his prophethood. At
that time the idolatrous leaders of Makkah enjoyed
the dominant position. They used to persecute the
Prophet and the other Muslims. Now the question
was as to what the believers should resort to in
those circumstances. In that situation they were
guided by God to say: “We will endure your
