Islam Rediscovered
19. The Islamic Concept of History
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empire, and that was to apply a complete curb on
intellectual freedom. As a result, science could not
make any progress in the days of old.
The same was the case with religion. The policy
adopted by these kings was not to allow their
subjects to follow any religion other than that
approved of by the king. Superstitious religion
served their purpose only too well. Therefore, not
only did they themselves embrace superstitious
religion but they also compelled their subjects to
adhere to it. People were denied the right to think
freely and opt for any religion other than the official
one. This policy of the kings produced the evil of
religious persecution. History shows that religious
persecution has continued from time immemorial in
one form or another.
The other main factor in this connection was
ignorance. In ancient times, man knew too little
about the world and its phenomena. Political
absolutism had placed an almost total ban on
scientific research. Therefore, all kinds of
superstitions regarding natural phenomena made
inroads unchecked. It was generally held that the
