The Historical Role of Islam

Book excerpt: THE HISTORICAL ROLE OF ISLAM (An Essay on Islamic Culture) by M N Roy first published in 1937. The phenomenal success of Islam was primarily due to its revolutionary significance and its ability to lead the masses out of the hopeless situation created by the decay of antique civilizations not only of Greece and Rome but of Persia and China and of India. The sword of Islam, wielded ostensibly at the service of God, actually contributed to the victory of a new social force-the blossoming of a new intellectual life which eventually dug the graves of all religions and faiths. The spirit of Islam was not invented by the genius of Mohammad; nor was it revealed to him. It was a heritage of history conferred on the Arabian nation. The greatness of Mohammad was his ability to recognize the value of the heritage and make his countrymen conscious of it.