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Chapter 3. THE RECENT TIMES.
We have so far identified our History consisting of various Ages covering so many Ajals. Also we discovered that various people have held power over others for an Ajal or two. So how do we consider the present? We can call it an Industrial civilisation, and we would not be wrong. We can call it an Atomic age and we will not be wrong. We can call it the Electronic age and still we will not be wrong. But really all this does not give us an insight into the workings of our Civilisation’s evolution. Which way are we heading? After all an informed waiting is easier than an uncertain waiting.
One way is to continue the work on the lines we have already worked on, and discovered a plan. There is bound to be a current dominant civilisation. And we find that there is, which is called the European Christianity. Also super imposed on this present will be the transition from the Age of Empires to; what next? For the Europeans, we get the insight from history and the religious books; and for the next Age we can get insight from the religious books alone, and see if it matches up with current goings on.
First of all the present western Europeans are not the old Europeans of the early Roman Empires. They are a very recent phenomenon. Their history starts around 300 AD. These were the people who were pushed out of central Asia, and they fought and established themselves in western Europe around 300 AD. They called themselves the Germanic tribes, and the locals who got pushed called them Barbarians. They over populated the locals and started spreading. The Romans were able at first to manage them by their armies; but the forces of destiny were against that. These tribes had names of subtribes called Franks, Engels, Goths, Visigoths and Saxons etc. They had by 4 & 5 century occupied all of Europe. So we can say their marker starts at 300 AD, when their immigration started.
Also around 300 AD is the Marker for the Roman Catholic Church. The history states that when in 70 AD Pagan Romans destroyed the Jewish Temple at Jerusalem, there developed a secret early Christianity, who conducted a strict way of life under their leaders. They were called Essenes; and some called them zealots. Much earlier a Gentile Convert called Paul started preaching to non-Jews. He went against the teaching of Jesus of not preaching to non-Jews. Consequently he lost his spiritual reasoning and so had to use Intellect thus causing changes in the teachings. His mission was to Romans in Rome. We see a rebellion of Jews in 132 AD which resulted in Diaspora by Romans i.e. expulsion of Jews out of Palestine. Thus ended the Jewish Christians called Essenes, forever.
New Christians were greatly prosecuted in Rome, but they multiplied due to the divine plan. As the Roman Empire was crumbling due to age (periodicity), and Earthly causes due to Barbarians; one Emperor Constantine desirous of Power sought support of Christians. In 313 AD the Edict of Milan was signed where Church property, and Real Estates of Christians were protected.
Let us see through March of time the effect of these two events. We see the Immigrants (Germanic) thriving and gaining power at the cost of old Pagan Romans. We see the Capital shifting from Rome to Constantinople in 330 AD. In 401 AD a Germanic tribe called Visigoths invade Italy, destroying Rome in 410 AD under their leader Alaric. By 425 AD they along with Vandals and Ostrogoths settle in former Roman Provinces. Finally in 476 AD Germanic King Odoacer occupies Rome thus ending the Western Roman Empire. Now Western Roman Empire contains new Germanic people; and the Eastern, called Byzantium, now peopled by Slavs, also new people immigrating from Asia about the same times as Germans. So the Roman Empire of Caesar’s people starting from 800 BC the founding of Rome, to its destruction in 410 AD by the Germanics lasts for a period of 1200 years. The two new Roman Empires are different people altogether. Note that here a People and their civilisation is created and replaced in a period of exactly 1200 years.
As we can gather, the Germans were very keen to adopt Christianity of the Roman Catholic Church of Rome. Those who did not, felt the might of the Church. As the Ajal starting from 300 AD ends at 900 AD, we see a mighty European Empire under Charlemagne. He along with the Roman Catholic Church as a force established the concept of God’s Rule on Earth, without asking God as to his plans, and thus launches an aggression drive against Muslims in Spain and Palestine called the Crusades, which lasted 300 years. This also unfortunately for the Europeans, launched the cruelest Dark Age lasting an Ajal on themselves.
So with a Church full of non-spiritualists due to changes in God’s commands by St. Paul the Church became a political and cruel organisation, bent in every way except towards Piety. For the Ajal starting from 900 AD to 1500 AD we see the Western Europe in the Dark Age. Towards the ending Marker we see people secretly fed up of the Church but still very afraid of its power. They were drained due to lack of success in Crusades during 300 years. They could not understand why they were not succeeding when they were doing a favour to Allah by trying to establish his kingdom on earth. A typical problem when you use Intellect alone.
A great insight is gained by considering the following Quran Ayats of Surat 7. Ayat 166 to 168 are about the Jews and their Diaspora. Ayat 169 states, "Then succeeded, not from previous people, successors and inheritors of the Book; they take for cause the causes of this inferior Earthly living and they say they will be forgiven; and if such a cause comes on them let them take it; did they not take an oath regarding the book that they will not speak except the Truth about Allah and they had read what was written in it and the next life is better for people who are mindful, can you not reflect". What a tremendous insight the above gives about the present dominant civilisation.
First it tells us that these new Christians are not from the old Jewish connection. There is no transition or continuity from the older religion. It is different ab-initio. We see it is so. The European Christians are very different to Essenes, whose life style is now filtering through the Dead Sea scrolls.
The basic difference is that due to lack of this continuity, the new people are devoid of a Prophet. The invisible spiritualism, which would have continued, had there been a connection with Essenes due to Prophet Jesus is missing. In its place St. Paul had to invent the concept of trinity. This way they avoided the restraints of Allah given to earlier people; and this made a precedence of avoidance. St. Paul said they need not Circumcise nor avoid pig’s meat. All this of course was according to Gods sanctions and hence in his plans. St. Paul said as Jesus was a son of God and had died to atone man’s sins, then all Christians would be forgiven. This made the situation very simple as so beautifully described by God. They became interested in earthly living only; saying they will be forgiven. Considering all religions we find the above philosophy peculiar to the European only, and this characteristic causes them to be totally different to others in their evolution through time and periodicity. Secondly God tells us that they changed the book; and that it is because of the above characteristics of taking earthly reasons only, i.e. Intellect alone.
Tracing their history through Ajals we see their Marker starting at 300 AD, along with the RC Church. We see them becoming dominant enough to cause the break up of Roman Empire in 100 years. At the end of one period, i.e., 900 AD, we see a big Empire in Europe under Charlemagne. They then become conscious of Christendom and attempt God’s Rule on Earth, without even asking his permission. They ignore his last Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) due to him being of different Race and Religion, thus showing this lack of spiritualism concerning one God and one Adam. This does not disturb them even now. Their approach is totally intellectual without the benefit of a heart affected by the invisible spiritualism. If they believed in one God, they would have given Quran a reasonable concentration. If they believed in one Adam, then race would not be such a concern to them.
From 900 AD to 1500 AD are the so-called dark ages. We see the Church wielding great wealth and political power. This made the clergy corrupt and they started changing the Bible at various times under the banner of expediency. The Quran reads Allah saying that this time he will be the protector of the Quran's purity. We can see the result, that not a word has been allowed to change in the holy Quran. Note also the difference in the markers for the events in Jerusalem, to events in Europe where they are about 300 years later.
Great Cruelty was the Norm in life in Europe during this period. Under the slogan of defending Christianity, heinous crimes were committed by the Church, on their people as well as on foreigners and peoples of other Faith. Massacres were carried out in the crusades in Mid East and Conquistada in Spain. All this because of the intellectual approach to a belief without spiritualism. This made the people perceive religion as a yoke, and God started appearing as a tyrant. As time evolved towards the end of this period, peoples’ attitude towards religion & church was of fear, and they becoming a people without willing belief became hypocritical towards each other.
There is a Hadith which says, "there are periods in the Rahmat (love & forgiveness) of Allah, and he is gushing these days. Oh believers make full use of it." There are two things that are being talked about here. First is the two way invisible connection between man the believer and his creator Allah. The believer through obedience of Allah’s commands through the Prophet appeals to him, and Allah replies through his Rahmat in dealing with his believer, who perceives this clearly. This invisible connection of feeling is called Spiritualism. The second point in the Hadith is that it peaks in cycles i.e. Periods.
Looking at history we see the period between Abraham and Moses is 600 years and that between Jesus & Mohammed (Peace be upon them) is also 600 years. Generally speaking it is observed that about 100 years before the Marker, the rise of spiritualism is observed spanning some 70 to 100 years, where one observes a religious revival taking place among those people.
So as we approach 1400 AD, we see professor Wycliff of Oxford translating the Bible into English thus breaking the monopoly of the Church. We see all over Europe some groups of people forming communes to lead the simple life of Jesus . This is a clear indication of the periodicity of Rahmat of Allah. This radiation of light and love strikes the hearts of people, and those hearts in response spring out with love for the divine. Strange enough 600 years have passed and the year 2000 AD should see the spiritual revival again in Europeans. However back to the dark ages, we eventually come to 1500 AD. The scene now is that people under leadership of men like Martin Luther are protesting against the Church, now devoid of any spirituality.
In 1500 AD starts the Third period of the Germanic people of Europe. A dramatic thing happens. They are given the crown of favour from Allah, as he had given to Arabs and Turks before. In fact at this time Osman Turks are midway through their period 1324 AD to 1922 AD, and are dominant in culture and power up till the gates of Austria. Within 50 years from 1500 AD the following happens. America is discovered, the first Stock Exchange is formed. British & Dutch East India company are formed. Great discoveries are made in science. Renaissance produces depth and perspective in paintings. This is a great quantum jump in man’s history. It ushered in a new civilisation, just as dramatic as Early civilisation was compared to the hunter-gatherers (Stone Age). Just as dramatic as Arab civilisation was compared to the Greek and Roman. Mark the speed of its onset, like the rising of the sun during the coming day. The father was in the Dark Age and the son was in Renaissance; with this drive of change pulsating with life.
The following 300 years till 1800 AD see the Europeans changing and adjusting to new life style. In religion, they do not grasp the mysticism of Martin Luther & such people. The word Mysticism, which means the man having an ability to see with eyes closed. This is the first or primary level of ability of Muslim Sufis. As the European’s primary characteristic as described, was operating at the Earthly causal level, two things happened. First is that they excelled in science. Secondly unable to grasp spiritualism they rejected the church and became secular, thus avoiding god Allah and religion defacto and replacing spirituality with morality of man.
Thus philosophy was given importance and henceforth everybody talked of new Era and man as complete man. Man was no longer a seeker of forgiveness. He was a moral and self-sufficient entity. Only laws of nature were to be sought, and they would automatically in time be subservient to man. At least one good thing left was Moral courage. But as Allah had said so many times in Quran, we have need of him, and not the other way round. So it had to happen. Happen what ? That this pretence of self-sufficiency and morality would boomerang. So as they peak this culture at 1800 AD, what do we see? A second change sets in, within 50 years the following happens. Combining science, with capital and cheap Hydrocarbon Energy, Industry is introduced. This Technology is capable of producing tremendous wealth. This produced Revolutions. Kings were removed and Republics were produced to recycle the wealth. Middle class started growing. The population of Europe doubled in less than 100 years, 1700 AD to 1800 AD. Fifty towns came up boasting electrification. Revolution in communications like steam trains and ships. Another very big spurt in science and technology. Such was the power of the British Empire that the secretary (civil servant) was quoted as saying "not a day passes without hearing of some major victory in some part of the globe". Sun did not set on the British Empire. "Best of British luck" ensured this phenomenon.
There is something peculiar about 1800 AD. There should not have been this so-called second burst of change at this time right in the Middle of this period. The period should end at 2100 AD, passing the dominance to another people, who by producing a burst in new Technology would produce a new civilisation.
To understand this change at 1800 AD, let us study a relevant Hadith. "This Amr (gods action of starting Islam) has appeared with Prophethood and Rahmat. Then will come an age of Khilafat and Rahmat, followed by an age of kingship and cruelty. After this the following acts of God will appear, Arrogance, Oppression and violence, and general Confrontations and Wars all over the earth. In this Age people will consider wearing silk as proper and declare the usage of women’s private parts and alcohol as to be done and valid, and despite this they will be given bounty and helped until they meet their lord”. Ref. Mishkat 5114.
We have seen the 1800 BC started the Age of Empires i.e. Kings with cruelty. Only for a short period of 40 years do we see prophet Mohammad SS, and his companions Ruling with Rahmat during this time. At 1800 AD we see a new Age coming in the World. Great wealth is being generated which removes the Religion and replaces with Materialism. Out goes the Morality with concept of complete man, and in comes meanness and greed called Materialism. This causes the king to go and elected democracy to enter.
This explains the second burst at 1800 AD as the end of Empires. As Europeans were the dominant people, it happened in Europe first. It has taken 200 years to become world-wide. The present time is exactly as described in the above Hadith. We see new tribes and nations forming out of old empires. As today the world is a global economy, there is going to be continuous confrontations among people all over the world, over material, despite there being a steady increase in world’s wealth. So we have a situation that not only a new age is dawning, but it is also the end of the present dominant civilisation, and a dawn of the next dominant civilisation. Who are these people going to be? So a new age starting 1800 AD takes 200 years in 2000 AD to be world-wide. Call it Materialism with Democracy. While the dominant people still have 100 years to go. The last Age lasted from 1800 BC to 1800 AD i.e. 3,600 years, or 6 Ajals.
Still following the periodicity of the Europeans, we come to the end of third quadrant, i.e. 1950. We see they have fought 2 world wars by now. As if on a signal, in 1950 they leave MidEast, India and China. In the MidEast emerged the state of Israel. In India there emerged the state of Pakistan. In China emerged communist China. In 1960 we hear Harold Macmillan the Prime Minister talking about winds of change. Fifty years have passed and we are now on the verge of year 2000 AD. One hundred years more to go.
By this time it should be apparent who the next people are. We observe that there is continuous recession in Europe and America; while GNP of greater than 12% is in China and the Pacific Region. Great Technological strides are coming from there. Is this a pointer. Also in the last 100 years of a Period, the dominant people are like an old lion; about to be replaced. Yet they believe that this greatness is genetic due to their Race. The same happened with every body in the past. If they are not careful, they will go violently, with drastic results. "Not a moment can they delay it". says Allah in the Holy Quran. And so says the History i.e. Facts. What about the Future. What will we see in time coming, as events and way of life. These are the questions to be addressed in the next chapter.
One interesting observation about the invisible signals among a people. As the Europeans changed in 1800 AD, the other people in contact with them produced strange common results. We see in 1860, the Massacre in India uprising, the Massacre of Red Indians in America and the Massacre in Australia and New Zealand, all miles apart, yet as if on a signal, and at the same time. No matter where the European was on the globe, he started behaving the same way in the Saat of 1850-1900. Allah then caused them in the next Saat of 1900-1950, to wage two wars in Europe to massacre each other as a redresser. This explains the so-called World Wars for the first time.
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