Islam Rediscovered
20. The Revolutionary Role of Islam
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desert atmosphere where there was nothing save
nature. As a natural result of this unadulterated
atmosphere, (free from all man-made pollution,) the
human qualities of the inhabitants of the desert
were fully preserved. It was like a vast natural
training camp. It took more than two thousand
years to evolve a nation of such high calibre as to be
called a “nation of heroes” by a western scholar. In
the history of the Arabs, this nation is known as the
Ismailites. Despite religious perversion having set
in, so distinguished were they in human values—
thanks to their particular training—that they had no
peers among those who came before or after them.
The Prophet Muhammad, may peace be upon him,
one of the distinguished members of the Banu
Ismail, struggled for about thirteen years in Makkah
and ten years in Madinah. Ultimately, more than
one hundred thousand people believed in him and
joined his mission. Each and every one of his
companions possessed a strong and dependable
character. In this way the Prophet Muhammad, may
peace be upon him, in an exceptional way, secured
a team by which he could bring the message of the
prophets to fruition—taking the prophetic mission
