dialectical manner. Here too, the focus of interest is on the society
and not on the individual. Society develops through the working of
economic forces and the individual has no choice but to fit into
whatever social system happens to be in ascendance. Any individual
who refuses to fit into the social pattern, is weeded out. The Marxian
theory ignores the main trend of evolution in the present age. It too
has led to the, establishment of a totalitarian regime in which each
individual man is no more than a mere cog in a gigantic machine.
It is obvious that both Hegel and Marx glimpsed only part of, and
not the whole, truth. Both were right in regarding the universe as a
dynamic evolving system: both were wrong in denying that the goal
was the emergence of fully developed, perfect, free and rational
individuals. The historical process becomes meaningful only when
it is viewed as developing towards this goal.
This is the central element in the Qur'anic view of history. The
historical process is a manifestation of the evolutionary process – a
process in which the participants are individuals, endowed with
freedom and foresight. However, the foresight they possess is
limited and bedevilled by sordid distractions. In this situation, there
are limitless possibilities of taking a wrong turn. What is intended is
objective direction that can keep on the path towards the distant
goal that is not immediately comprehensible. Human reason
supplemented by Revelation enables man to rediscover the right
path. The historical process will ultimately produce conditions in
which each individual can devote himself to the pursuit of the
absolute values which are the primary concern of Revelation. The
goal is the setting up of the Divine Social Order.
We must, however, ask why this social order is nowhere visible,
not even in any Muslim country, although the Qur'an has been with
us for fourteen centuries. The answer is that cosmic processes work
slowly, very slowly. It is only by taking a long-term view that we can
perceive the trend of a world process. To quote the Qur'an: "But lo!
A day with Allah is equal to a thousand years as ye reckon" (22:47).
The whole of humanity can move only slowly towards this
objective. Man has to suffer many setbacks, reverses,
disappointments, and pass through many a trial and travail before he
can attain it. He must work patiently and hopefully and keep up his
courage even when the prospect is bleak. He who does the right
Rise and Fall of Nations 268